Workers Mark Anniversary of Firm by Helping Community

From painting wrought-iron fences to serving food to residents, KPMG Peat Marwick employees Monday gave up a work day to lend a hand at L.A. Family Housing Corp.’s transitional living center in North Hollywood.

The employees were taking part in “World of Spirit Day,” a companywide event marking the accounting firm’s 100th anniversary. Rather than throwing a big bash for employees, company officials decided to give something back to the community.

Some 20,000 partners and employees across the country traded their business suits for work clothes to help renovate buildings, feed the hungry and clean parks, among other community service projects.

Locally, employees took part in daylong volunteer efforts at 20 sites in Los Angeles.

“We have been planning this event for more than a year,” said Norma Lawrence, a partner in the firm, as she looked up from rolling paint on a fence. “In fact, if clients call the office, they’ll get a message saying that we are all out volunteering and we’ll be back on Tuesday.”