Volunteering & Community

As 2018 comes to a close, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the past year and how we can continue to help close some of the opportunity gaps that persist in our society.

Core to our values as a company is investing in causes for the long term to make a tangible and meaningful impact. Today, we are proud to share some significant milestone moments that have had a positive change on our communities.

Educational and environmental programs took center stage for our EarthChoice Ambassadors (ECAs) in 2018, with more than 11,500 volunteer hours spent focusing on communities where we live, work and play. With nearly double the amount of volunteer hours from last year, our ECA chapters are committed to making the world a better place.

Each year during the holiday season, Domtar Paper Company and its Earth Choice program donates new winter coats to children throughout the community. This year, quality manager and Earth Choice ambassador Ryan Olaker and site manager Jerimy Huff visited Washington Middle School, bringing with them 65 brand new coats valued at $2,700.

Sands Cares, the corporate giving and community engagement program of Las Vegas Sands, is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen, committed to its people, communities in which it operates and the planet. In each region, Sands Cares has Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leads that manage the program and execute initiatives unique to each region. Born and raised in Singapore, Joyce Siew graduated with a degree in English and Sociology and began her career in various communications related roles in both the public and private sector, before joining Marina Bay Sands’ communications and CSR team in 2012.

National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox joined forces to welcome nearly 80 students around the world to Nat Geo’s signature Photo Camp workshops, which teach young people from under-served communities, including at-risk and refugee teens, to use photography to tell their own stories, explore the world around them, and develop deep connections with others.

From San Diego to Rockville, Maryland and dozens of stops in between — MilliporeSigma’s Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab brought hands-on science to many communities and young minds across North America in 2018. Through 118 events during the second annual tour, the Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab aimed to spark students’ curiosity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This year’s schedule included a stop in Toronto as part of the mobile science lab’s first visit to Canada.

From wildfires to hurricanes and animal hoarding to dog fighting, Courtney Protz-Sanders is skilled in triage and emergency sheltering for animals. She’s also founder and executive director of Paws for Life, a non-profit, foster-based, all-breed rescue for dogs and cats that has saved nearly 3,000 homeless animals from shelters and the streets of Michigan.

SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, provides fun, life-changing camp experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their families throughout the world—totally free of charge. These medically safe, inclusive experiences allow campers to connect with peers and build confidence, empowering them to value the possibility and potential of their lives beyond camp—and beyond their illnesses.

As the year draws to a close, Cone evaluated a year’s worth of purpose-driven news, activities, campaigns and announcements to bring you the top 10 trends of 2018.

Happy Holidays! As we close out 2018, the Common Impact team is reflecting on the significant impact we've made with our partners this past year. We are excited to see skills-based volunteerism continue to play an important role in building stronger communities and developing purpose-driven professionals across all sectors. While we are proud of what we have accomplished so far, we know there is more work to be done in 2019 and beyond to continue to drive meaningful community partnerships.