Positive Change

Employers and employees may be missing opportunities when it comes to reaping all of the benefits of volunteering in the workplace. Deloitte’s “2017 Volunteerism Survey” of working Americans found that creating a culture of volunteerism may boost morale, workplace atmosphere and brand perception. However, surveyed employees do not view volunteerism as a way to advance their career or develop new skills.

Republic Services, joined by Coca-Cola, Starbucks and many other community organizations, recently partnered with Clean Sweep for the annual Seattle community cleanup event in Capitol Hill in partnership with the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and Pridefest. Volunteers rallied together at Cal Anderson Park and dedicate hours to picking up trash, recyclables and sharps in the Cap Hill neighborhood. Not only does the cleanup benefit the community in general, it also helps prep the streets for Pride month and the upcoming parade.

Consumers Energy employees are taking part in volunteer efforts this spring to support environmental stewardship and sustainability throughout Michigan. Lansing’s Fenner Nature Center is one of the beneficiaries, thanks to employee Scott McPhail. McPhail, an engineer with Consumers Energy in Jackson, has been an active volunteer at the Fenner Nature Center for more than two years and also serves on the organization’s board of directors.

Cancer patients work hard battling the multiplying malignant cells in their bodies. In the meantime, most also face multiplying bills as medical expenses pile on top of ongoing costs for housing, food, utilities and more.That’s why Bringing Hope Home, a growing Philadelphia-based organization, raises money to help cancer patients pay everyday bills that loom over their already stressful lives.

Through the VMware Foundation’s Good Gigs program, VMware people have a unique leadership development opportunity to learn and grow through immersive service. Discover how this Service Learning Trek to Cape Town, South Africa sparked personal and professional development through service in our global community.

Xylem was among 244 recipients who were recognized for their contributions to advancing women during an awards ceremony held by China Women’s Development Foundation in conjunction with China Children’s Foundation, and sponsored by the All-China Women’s Federation, a women’s rights organization that has been operating for over 60 years.

Giving back has been an integral part of Total Quality Logistics (TQL), the second largest freight brokerage in North America, since the beginning. The company’s leadership, all homegrown in Cincinnati, has strong ties to the local community and has always encouraged their employees to get involved in giving and volunteering. TQL Cares – the company’s workplace giving program – was established in 2006 to deepen employee engagement, while making a positive impact in the community. For 10 years, this program took a fairly traditional approach, with an annual giving campaign that lasted two weeks, small matching programs and volunteer endorsements, but only for Cincinnati-area employees. As the company experienced major growth, it meant big challenges.

Republic Services of Hunting Beach Municipal Manager, Jeff Snow, was recently recognized by OneOC with the Spirit of Volunteerism Award. Jeff was nominated by the Orange County Feedbank in the area of Hunger & Homelessness for his leadership with the WasteNotOC nonprofit in establishing partnerships with local schools to divert organics from landfills and donate unused food to the homeless in Orange County, California areas.

From the time I lived in South Africa in the late 1990s, I’ve had this idea of a “future memory.” It’s an experience you know as clearly as a recollection from your past – say, jumping off a rope swing into a mountain lake as a child – but it hasn’t happened yet. It’s more than a premonition. It’s something you can visit over and over in your mind. You just haven’t lived it.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced that over 200 Morgan Stanley and community volunteers will build a playground at Dunbar Elementary as part of the Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities initiative. Joining forces with Choice Foundation and KaBOOM!, volunteers will give area kids the play space they deserve.