Social Change

It’s been a week since #GivingTuesday 2017 and we’re still overwhelmed by the incredible participation of companies and people around the world who, together, raised a staggering $264.6 million in the movement's sixth year. At Benevity, almost 200 of our enterprise clients got involved, with their employees logging 45,000 volunteer hours and donating $13 million (including employer matching) to nearly 11,000 charities around the world.

Whirlpool Corporation employees in Greenville, OH donated more than $21,000 to local food pantries.

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced the 2017 Growing Healthy Kids Campaign raised $3,542,448, with 15 supplier partners investing more than $950,000 to support children’s nutrition and health.

Since 2007, more than 2,100 members of Aflac’s Columbus, Georgia, team have strapped on hardhats and tool belts with Habitat for Humanity. The program is so popular that Aflac holds lotteries to determine which employees will get the chance to participate. This year, 175 employees built Aflac’s 11th Habitat house, to the great delight of resident Marion Dantzler. Meanwhile, 50 employees at Aflac’s Columbia, South Carolina, location worked alongside new Habitat for Humanity homeowners during a five-day renovation project, completing the team’s second home construction.

On a weekly basis, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) visits at-risk communities to host a street outreach event called ‘Feel Good Fridays.’ During the event, volunteers give back to young people who are in need of a helping hand. Las Vegas Sands, through our commitment to being a good corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate, is one of NPHY’s biggest supporters in the community through its corporate giving program Sands Cares, and together they are combating youth homelessness.

New data points to an increase in companies participating in the #GivingTuesday movement. The growth represents a terrific opportunity for companies to put empathy, service and generosity at the top of the agenda. However, Benevity sees greater potential for the occasion as the world needs to embrace a culture of Goodness now more than ever.

Chance, fresh off his stint hosting “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend, was at Michele Clark Magnet High School with President of Jewel-Osco Doug Cygan, who presented Chance’s Social Works organization with a $1 million check to benefit CPS.

In the past year, thanks to generous donors and more than 2.1 million volunteers, Habitat for Humanity helped nearly 3.5 million people around the world build or improve an affordable place they can call home. With a “hand up” from Habitat, more families have acquired the skills, confidence and opportunity they need to build healthier, more financially stable lives.

When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico a little over a month ago, GM engineers mobilized to help the U.S. island territory. Hundreds of GM employees donated more than 12 tons of goods including batteries, solar cellphone chargers and lights, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bottled water, baby formula and canned foods.