Positive Change

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) has named Erik Weiner the winner of The Mr. Sheldon G. and Dr. Miriam Adelson Citizenship Award presented by Sands Cares. Mr. Weiner is a training coordinator at Sands Bethlehem, the company’s resort property in Pennsylvania.

In Comcast’s hometown of Philadelphia, volunteers gathered for three events in the city.

"I volunteer because I want to impact change, not only in my community but in the world," said Jonathan Meeks, NFL safety – an unrestricted free agent who previously played four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan uses his platform to give back, locally and around the world.

Early childhood development can be significantly impeded by an unsafe or unhealthy environment. Rebuilding Together affiliates nationwide gather volunteers to tackle such issues for families with young children.

This National Volunteer Week, we’re excited to highlight a project with a talented team from Charles Schwab and its nonprofit partner, Wheeler Mission Ministries (Wheeler), whose mission is to meet the short-term and long-term needs of homeless, hungry and other people in need in central Indiana. Wheeler's Center for Women & Children operates Restored Creations, a social enterprise run by women from their various long-term programs that produces and sells hand-poured, scented, soy blend candles. We paired Wheeler with a team of Schwab volunteers to develop an interactive financial model that informs the development of a financial and operational strategy to promote sales growth for the Restored Creations Program.

Has the National Volunteer Week buzz sparked some ideas for skills-based projects, but you aren't sure where to start? Check out our Pro Bono Calculator, a step-by-step tool that quantifies the value and investment of utilizing pro bono support for your organization and your project.

"I volunteer because I enjoy putting smiles on other people's faces," said Coty Sensabaugh, cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coty finds every excuse to help others – even at his own wedding, where in lieu of gifts, he and his wife, Dominique, asked guests to donate shoes or money to Soles4Souls. Accompanied by friends and family, the newlyweds traveled to the Dominican Republic and distributed more than 500 pairs of shoes to adults and children in need. Through his involvement with the group, Coty has helped collect more than 11,000 pairs of shoes.

The Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Sustainable Brands are planting 40 trees at the Greening of Detroit Park in honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs at 1463 East Jefferson Street on May 22.

Customers are at the core of VMware’s mission. That is why VMware engineers software that gives its customers freedom from constraints, empowering them to build capacity and scale at speed to accomplish their missions and move forward. VMware’s culture of possibility is fueled by its people’s curiosity and passion to turn the impossible into the possible and realize the unlimited potential for the future. VMware people live this EPIC2 culture every day as technology pioneers at work and active global citizens in their communities.

"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.”