by Neil Mallon Bush, Chairman, Points of Light Institute Board of Directors
We are at a critical moment of need and opportunity for service in our communities.
While the economy has started to grow again, the downturn has caused hardship for millions of Americans.
Yet in these tough times, the momentum for service has never been stronger.
Volunteering is on the rise and organizations and corporations are redefining service and embracing social responsibility.
Given our economic climate, the Points of Light Institute is very excited to honor companies that represent best-in-class employee volunteer and engagement programs, who are redefining service and embracing social responsibility.
Since its inception in 1993, the Points of Light Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence has been recognized as one of the most prestigious awards programs honoring outstanding employee volunteer programs.
More than 60 companies have been honored for their overall employee volunteer efforts.
I’d like to share a bit about this year’s Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence honorees.
AT&T
AT&T’s commitment to volunteerism dates back over 100 years to Alexander Graham Bell.
Bell was the first member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, which was formed to give employees a way to unite and support the community.
Since then, the AT&T Pioneers has grown into one of the largest industry-sponsored volunteer organizations, with nearly 325,000 members.
Last year, the company launched “AT&T Cares” – a company-wide volunteer initiative designed to encourage employees to engage in community service that is meaningful to them and their communities.
In 2009, AT&T Pioneers and employees donated more than 8.5 million hours to community outreach activities – worth over $176 million.
Campbell’s Soup
Campbell’s Soup has a long-standing commitment communities in which they live and work.
They are committed to nourishing neighbors by providing volunteers to nonprofit organizations and leveraging the unique skills of employees through the Nourishing Our Neighbors program.
Campbell’s strives to couple skills-based volunteering, financial contributions and in-kind giving to provide well-rounded support and impact with local nonprofit organizations and residents of these communities.
In the year since the launch of the Nourishing Our Neighbors initiative, U.S. employees logged more than 18,000 volunteer hours, benefiting over 200 organizations.
Dollars for Doers grants quadrupled since the change was implemented.
Participation in the company’s annual week of service, Make a Difference Week, increased 40% in 2009.
Intel
Intel strives to operate with uncompromising integrity and believes that their business success depends on their continuing ability to be a trusted, responsible, open and engaged corporate citizen. Intel employees engage with communities through the Intel Involved volunteer program and community leadership activities.
The “Intel Involved” program encourages employees to share their expertise and enthusiasm with communities through volunteerism and Intel employees spend thousands of hours mentoring young people, providing technical expertise, serving on task forces, and participating in community service projects.
Through the company’s skills-based volunteering initiative, employees apply their specialized skills in law, marketing, IT and lean manufacturing practices to benefit schools and non-profit organizations.
The Intel Education Service Corps program sends small teams of high-performing employees to developing countries to collaborate with a NGO to deploy the Intel®-powered classmate PCs. To date, this program has reached more than 15,000 students in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, India, Kenya, and Vietnam.
Old National Bank
From humble beginnings, Old National Bank has grown to its current position with more than 160 banking centers and 2,800 associates.
Despite their growth, they have never wavered from their original focus on community.
Old National Bank’s commitment begins with President & CEO Bob Jones and the Old National leadership team, who empower associates to donate up to two paid volunteer hours a month through the company’s “ONe Community” program.
Last year, Old National associates donated nearly 80,000 total hours in support of more than 2,000 organizations. Associate volunteers are recognized for their efforts on the company Intranet site, and those with 25 hours or more of service each year join the “Volunteer Honor Roll” in Old National’s annual Community Investment Report.
In addition, a ONe Community Team Award is given each quarter to the associate team that best exemplifies the meaning of community care and involvement. Quarterly winners receive a $500 donation to the non-profit organization of their team’s choice, and an overall annual team award winner receives a $1,000 donation.
I hope you’ll join me in congratulating all of our Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence honorees.
