Community Involvement

"I volunteer because of the young men who look like us, who are in the same situations as us, who need mentors," said Jared Cook, tight end for the Oakland Raiders. Off the field, Jared can often be found giving back – whether it be helping out through fundraising events or volunteering to help provide food to people in need. The importance of service was instilled in him early on, by parents who encouraged him to “count your blessings.”

Increasingly, today’s diverse workforce is looking for employers to provide purpose in the workplace and to help them make a difference at work, at home and in the community. And, for good reason, more companies are taking notice: highly engaged employees are 38 percent more likely to have above-average productivity and 87 percent less likely to leave the organization.

"I volunteer because I care for future change. In 20 years I want to look back and see how much this world has changed, and know that I was a part of changing it,” said Sam Barrington, NFL linebacker – an unrestricted free agent who previously played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Many social enterprises focus on innovation of high-quality products designed to reach low-income customers. By the numbers, this bottom of the pyramid strategy to reach impact and market at scale seems to make sense – analysis of World Bank data from 2011 shows that 71% of the world’s population can be considered poor or low-income.

"I volunteer because I want to see real change in our communities," said Michael Thomas, safety for the Miami Dolphins. Dedicated to giving back, he was one of the first NFL players to participate in the First Step Program – an initiative led by Daily Point of Light Award honoree Scott Van Duzer that gives kids and teens the opportunity to engage with community leaders on a regular basis, coming together for casual pick-up games, mentoring and small group discussions on community issues.

National Rebuilding Month will culminate on National Rebuilding Day, Saturday April, 29 and will engage volunteers in a concerted effort to complete repairs on homes, nonprofit facilities and community spaces to bring immediate, transformational change to communities across America on the same day.

For companies looking for simple, cost-effective ways to give back to the community, it’s hard to beat a donation program. Providing products or gift cards to local community groups is often the first step a company takes in launching a corporate giving program.

According to Honda, millennial drivers have the highest rates of texting (74%) and checking social media sites (36%) while driving. In response, Honda created a parody music video titled “Designated Texter” which presents a new solution to texting while driving.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, Common Impact is hosting a Twitter chat on Tuesday, April 25th at 12pm EDT to explore how corporate skills-based volunteer programs activate civic engagement in employee volunteers.

The Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center (CTC) in Michigan got a little wild when a few of nature’s finest dropped in for a visit during Earth Day 2017. A two-toed sloth, bald eagle and a border collie trained to herd geese showed their stuff to employees who had the chance to ask questions and take pictures. Rounding out the cavalcade of animals were some flying squirrels, bats, owls, starfish, turtles, salamander, sea lamprey and a boa constrictor.