Annapolis agency Liquified Creative announced that it received a Communitas Award for Leadership in Community Service & Corporate Social Responsibility for “Annapolis Gives,” a virtual tipping platform designed to support those working in the service industry affected by shutdowns due to COVID-19.

The Communitas Awards is an international effort to recognize exceptional businesses that unselfishly give of themselves and their resources to their communities. Communitas winners are recognized for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy, or ethical, sustainable practices. Nominees are evaluated based on the extent and effectiveness of their program.

Working as a team, Liquified Creative and local news platform Eye on Annapolis developed and promoted the Annapolis Gives website where service-industry professionals in Anne Arundel County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can sign up to receive tips via a secure transaction directly to their PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp accounts.

Those who give or receive support are encouraged to share positive messages of inspiration on social media using the hashtag #annapolisgives. Tagged content is featured via a feed on the website as another way for community members to stay engaged.

The program also includes a downloadable Maryland Heroes Activity and Resource book with vital resources sourced from community members, such as information on local support networks, ways to get involved while staying safe, and fun activities. The team will be selecting one organization in need to receive a pro-bono logo and branding package from Liquified Creative along with six months of free advertising from Eye on Annapolis. The entry period has closed and the winner will be announced soon.

“Our friends in the service industry were hit hard by the pandemic, so we were moved to use our talents and expertise to bring some positivity and hope,” said Shawn Noratel, founding partner and creative director of Liquified Creative. “We are honored that our efforts to bring the community together are receiving this international recognition.”

Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), the Communitas Awards are inspired by a vision for a better world through volunteerism, investment and ethical, sustainable business practices. The Latin word “communitas” means people coming together for the good of a community. Nominees were evaluated on the extent and effectiveness of their efforts with winners selected for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy, and sustainable business practices.

The Communitas Awards started in 2010 as an outgrowth of the pro bono recognition program of the AMCP (www.amcpros.com), a several-thousand-member group that honors creative achievement and fosters partnerships with charities and community organizations.

Liquified Creative, a Capitol Communicator sponsor, is an award-winning advertising agency based in Annapolis, Maryland. The agency’s in-house creative and marketing team provides strategic integrated marketing services including branding, graphic design, creative web design & development, strategic digital and traditional advertising services, experience marketing and public relations, among others. The agency works with many Fortune 500, top mid-size, and enterprise-level companies throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia.