Sherlock Gnomes Tracks Down Free Screening for Local Youth

Rather than heading home to relax in air-conditioned apartments or neighborhood bars after work on Wednesday, July 25, a group of Paramount Pictures employees chose to spend the night volunteering outside in the summer heat.

Embracing the Viacommunity spirit of “All good, all around,” Paramount’s volunteers gave back to kids in their local community with an evening of activities and an outdoor screening of Paramount’s animated flick Sherlock Gnomes at Los Angeles’ Lemon Grove Park.

The festivities were part of a program called Summer Night Lights, run by the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD) and The GRYD Foundation. This was the fifth consecutive year that Paramount has hosted the event, which offers artistic and recreational activities, health screenings, educational workshops and more to children and young adults living in areas highly impacted by gang violence and poverty.

Each year, the studio taps its century-old movie library to give back – handing out branded movie swag to families and kids at the free screening of a Paramount Pictures film.

“It was amazing to see the community rally together to provide families and kids with safe and entertaining recreation,” said Worldwide Marketing Services Executive Assistance Robert Sevenich, who served as project manager for Paramount’s team. “Surprisingly, it was the best way to relax and enjoy the night, even after a long day of work.”

Paramount Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) intern D’Marco Griffin volunteered at this year’s screening, and was struck by the children’s positive energy.

Griffin recalls seeing the kids swarm around the piñata station, where he was working. At another activity station, delighted kids decorated custom gnome hats.

“This was the first time I volunteered for Summer Night Lights,” said Griffin. “The experience was truly heartwarming, especially when I think about how Paramount’s efforts to facilitate a safe, fun environment for at-risk children could be key in helping these kids become successful adults rather than statistics lost to deprivation and gang culture.”