NEW ORLEANS – Zehnder once again donated to community causes in all three cities where the agency has offices. The company made a similar gesture in 2012 and decided to donate funds in lieu of sending Christmas cards.

This year, Zehnder gave a total of nearly $62,000 in cash and in-kind services, the bulk of which went to nonprofit community foundations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La., and Nashville, Tenn., that raise and spend money locally.

The Bayou District Foundation in New Orleans focuses on education to help children and families to escape the cycle of poverty. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation unites human and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in southern Louisiana. In Nashville, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides personalized charitable solutions to help make a difference and enrich the community.

Zehnder donated to several other groups as well, including local chapters of the American Advertising Federation, the LSU Dean's Excellence Fund, the LSU Manship School of Journalism, the Louisiana School for the Deaf Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Teach for America.

“Like last year, we’re not trying to make any statement, other than we’d like to make a difference in our communities and make them better,” says CEO Jeff Zehnder. “And just like last year, it feels pretty good."