More than 900 members of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), the professional honors organization for financial information students and professionals, supported by 100 employees from Big Four firm KPMG LLP, descended on New York's Red Hook Park to undertake a massive clean-up effort, sponsored by KPMG and the KPMG Foundation.

Beta Alpha Psi members were in Brooklyn, NY to attend Beta Alpha Psi’s 2009 Annual Meeting. Each year BAP holds its annual meeting in a different host city and kicks off its agenda with a “Community Service Day.” KPMG has helped organize and sponsor the “Community Service Day” since the inception of the Community Service Day in 1999.

Brief opening remarks to the 900 volunteers on the importance of community service were made by Anthony Dalessio, senior partner with KPMG and Dr. Nancy Nichols, President of Beta Alpha Psi, with a special appearance by Marty Markowitz, President of the Brooklyn borough who commented: . “Brooklyn is one of the most diverse “cities” in the US – have some of the best and brightest of the world. It’s great to have some of the best and brightest accounting students in Brooklyn making a difference. The Finance and Accounting professions are key in business leadership – one of 2 paths to being a CEO - Importance of Community Service – especially as you move forward in your career.”

This volunteer opportunity was made possible by Partnerships for Parks. Founded in 1995, Partnerships for Parks is an innovative joint program of City Parks Foundation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. KPMG volunteers donated more than a combined total of 400 hours to the park clean-up efforts. Many of these volunteer hours were made possible through KPMG’s  Volunteer Time Release program, which provides employees hours of paid volunteer time during regular business hours each year.