PORTLAND, MAINE – In recognition of its 10-year anniversary, local credit card processor PowerPay is launching "10 Days of Giving" (www.10daysofgiving.com)- a celebration that reflects the company’s corporate culture and commitment to giving, sustainability and community.

During the first 10 days of October, PowerPay employees are volunteering time during their workdays and making donations of food and clothing to a variety of local nonprofits. A different activity is scheduled each day from Oct. 1 through Oct. 10. Beneficiaries include Goodwill, the American Red Cross, Portland Public Library, Preble Street, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Portland Trails and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Portland.

"Kindness is contagious," says PowerPay Marketing Strategist Erin Kroll. "It’s a sustainable practice that can have an immediate and tangible impact on the lives of others. The 10 Days of Giving is designed to inspire others to perform small random acts of kindness in their own communities," Kroll says. "The simple act of saying hello to a stranger can be enough to have an exponential impact."

PowerPay’s culture has roots in connecting with and giving back to the community. Sustainability and philanthropic practices are a large part of daily operations. The company also has an active Giving Committee, an independent task force of employees whose activities support social responsibility.

"Our goal has always been to utilize sustainable business practices in every aspect of the company," says PowerPay President Jim Raftice. "That means reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring we have a positive impact where we live and work."

Located in the former Portland Public Market, PowerPay headquarters is the first LEED Gold office building in the state of Maine. The investment in the venerable landmark is credited with the ongoing revitalization of the Bayside neighborhood and attracting name brand retailers to the surrounding urban landscape, boosting the city’s tax revenues and creating much-needed jobs.

Founded in 2003, PowerPay has evolved and grown from a 6-person startup into one of the payment industry’s most trusted service providers with 170 full-time employees, more than 59,000 merchant customers and an annual transaction volume of $8 billion .