When it came to throwing a holiday party, the good folks at MC&A and Island Partners Hawaii knew how to do it right.

They’d reserve a space at the St. Louis Club Alumni Clubhouse or Pearl Ultra Lounge. The food was great, the bar was open and the mood was always appropriately festive.

And while management certainly didn’t skimp on the extras, it wasn’t as if the spirit of the season was in danger of being lost. Each year, the company divided the holiday celebration budget in two — half for the party and half for a community service project.

But then something strange and wonderful happened: The employees decided they wanted to dispense with the party and devote all their resources to the service project.

Since then, employees have turned out in force — several flown in from other islands — to support local organizations that help those in need, including Palama Settlement, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Project Dana, Kuhio Park Terrace and Next Step.

This year 130 employees came out for a service project at the Institute of Human Services’ women’s dormitory. The employees painted, picked up rubbish, assembled bed frames, cleaned bathrooms and hallways, prepared gift baskets for shelter residents and tended to the rooftop aquaponic system.

"As a company we’re really committed to giving back," said account executive Matt Resich.

Indeed, the company’s charitable activities aren’t limited to the holiday season. Employees contribute to smaller service projects each quarter, and the company provides one extra personal holiday each year for employees to use for community service.

Payroll benefits coordinator Kevin Auwae says employees enjoy the opportunity to work together for a good cause.

"In the office everybody has their own department," he says. "When we’re doing projects we’re all working together side by side."

The employees say they hope their example will encourage other companies to devote time to community service.

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Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.