#GivingTuesday…Every Day of the Year
Tuesday November 30th is designated #GivingTuesday to serve as a reminder that we all have an obligation to make the world a better place for our families, our communities and our coworkers. The concept of #GivingTuesday focuses on “…unleashing the power of radical generosity…” ranging from donations of time and resources to just being a better citizen in the communities where we live and work. No act is too small and all contribute to making our world just a little bit better for everyone. COVID has made this concept even more critical for 2021 as we navigate through the global pandemic, evolving future of work and the realities of the “new normal.”
We are all familiar with the push to donate time and money to charitable organizations through the holidays and before the end of the year, but this concept is not about just giving money. We should all look for ways to improve the lives of the people around us. We can certainly donate to our favorite charities or volunteer to work with organizations within our communities, but remember that the little things count too. Helping an elderly neighbor with their groceries, giving kudos to a coworker or just sincerely asking, “How are you?” before you start a meeting or call are all equally as important.
Our corporate culture at SAIC fully embraces the spirit of #GivingTuesday. We have responded through our record-breaking campaign with Feeding America, our work walking and raising funds for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, and our initiatives in support of the American Heart Association.
Throughout the year we are Building Homes for Heroes, assembling backpacks for the children of military families, preparing meals for the critically ill, supporting local food banks and volunteer food service organizations, as well as mentoring the workforce of tomorrow, engaging in community STEM activities and working with local organizations to help protect our environment. We run, bike, walk, swim and surf to raise awareness and resources for causes that affect our communities, our country and our world. To date we have logged over 45,000 hours of volunteer time across the company ranking us first among large businesses in the great D.C. region for corporate philanthropy based on hours volunteered according to the Washington Business Journal (November 12, 2021)!
Coming up in December, we are working to ensure military families in need have gifts under the tree through USO-Metro Project Elf and Toys for Tots as well as we will be laying wreathes on the graves of fallen soldiers as part of Wreathes across America.
We should not restrict ourselves to acts of generosity on a single day of the year or even just one day a week. We should continuously look for ways to help those in need, protect the people around us and brighten someone’s day. That said, events like #GivingTuesday are an excellent reminder of the obligation we have to our coworkers, communities and families to help make all our lives a little better. Smile a little more, say “thank you” too often, find a charity or event that you are passionate about and donate your time and resources. Never forget that every act of kindness matters, no matter how large or how small. We all have it within us to improve the world we share.