ADAM KUNES
JULIE ABRAMOVIC KUNES
ulie is the Public Relations Manager at Fairmont Pittsburgh. Adam is the Owner and Founder of Have Fun. Do Good. (HFDG), and That’s Crisp. The couple supports Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (Julie is a member of the Thrive Young Professionals Advisory Board), Grow Pittsburgh, Animal Friends, Light of Life Ministries, Circle Tail, Inc., Semester at Sea, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, and an ongoing list of charities and causes through HFDG.
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Adam’s company, HFDG, facilitates immersive volunteer experiences such as “Weekend Warrior” trips, corporate programs, and local one-day service projects that allow volunteers to come together and help those in need. Part of the mission of the organization is to highlight the important work of the many nonprofits with which they partner and offer its participants a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. HFDG continues to partner with Pittsburgh’s ever-growing volunteer community, and local and national nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, Operation Helping Hands in New Orleans and City Blossoms in Washington, D.C. Much of Julie’s volunteer work began through her role at Fairmont Pittsburgh where she manages the charitable partnerships and community outreach for the hotel. She got involved with Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC) and Grow Pittsburgh through Fairmont, and quickly increased her involvement once learning about the organizations. Julie served on the steering committee for GPLC’s new young professionals board, Thrive, and is a current board member. She has also been a member of the Leaders for Literacy Luncheon planning committee since 2011 and has helped to secure numerous grants for Grow Pittsburgh through Fairmont’s corporate giving program. Both Adam and Julie are passionate about animal adoption and welfare, and support many of the animal shelters in the area. They also support Circle Tail, a nonprofit in Pleasant Plain, Ohio, which provides service dogs to people with disabilities. Both of the couple’s dogs were adopted from Circle Tail, and they even incorporated a donation to the organization at their wedding in lieu of favors. When they’re not helping others, Julie and Adam enjoy traveling, exploring Pittsburgh’s growing dining scene (aka eating and drinking!), and spending time with their dogs, Edie (Fairmont Pittsburgh’s Canine Ambassador) and Huck. Have Fun. Do Good. has coordinated the “Shake ‘n Break” alternative spring break MARCH 7-11 with the University of Pittsburgh, where students will travel to Asheville, N.C., and volunteer with a variety of nonprofits. The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council’s annual Trivia Bowl is on APRIL 3. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL FORNATARO AT FAIRMONT PITTSBURGH
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“Obviously, we’re all doing these things to ultimately help others, and that’s the biggest focus. But there’s also a personal benefit. Giving back keeps you grounded. It forces you to look at things with a different perspective and reflect on how much we have to be thankful for. I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to create these experiences for others and see firsthand how service changes people’s perspective and attitudes.” — Adam “For me, it’s easy to get lost in the event planning and fundraiser efforts, and sometimes forget the larger mission that you’re doing all of that for. When you step back and see how your efforts, although maybe not directly, helped someone get their GED or secure a great job, that’s powerful. I recently attended an event at GPLC and had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the students (something I don’t often get to do, despite working very closely with the organization for many years). I met a refugee family from Iran and learned how GPLC is helping to change their lives for the better here in the U.S. That really reignited my passion and reminded me of why we’re doing the work.” — Julie WH I R LM A G A Z I N E .C OM / WH IRL
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