2020 may seem like a year that only Scrooge would like. With pandemic-related restrictions keeping us home, it seemed as if the usual good deeds would go undone this year. But, while it may look a little different, it’s been impressive to see the creative ways people have found to give back and make this year a little merrier and brighter for all.
For example:
Connie Hunt, one of our executive admins: “I’m so very proud of the Tampa BMC employees. Even though we are working from home right now, we still sponsored six elders and donated $850 to Aging Solutions’ Elves for Elders campaign to ensure a happy holiday for senior citizens who otherwise may have been forgotten.”
Marcus Davage, one of our lead product developers: “Every year my family and I participate in the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. We each pack at least one shoebox filled with toys, notepads, pencils, crayons, soap, flannels, and essentials for kids who won’t normally be expecting a Christmas present this year.”
Nidhi Gupta from our Customer Success team:
- This month, Nidhi had the opportunity to teach an HIV-positive child from the Mamta Foundation how to use the Amazon website for online shopping. They got to order a Christmas gift of their choice with the help of their Digital Santa.
- Shortly before the Diwali festival, she painted almost 50 sets of earthen lamps for a women’s NGO along with my family.
- In April, Nidhi and family recorded thirty pages of audio books in English for visually challenged children.
Deepa Bhat from our R&D group and his family also participated in recording audio books for the visually impaired, painted earthen lamps, and played Digital Santa. He also:
- Updated Tanzania street maps used by ground volunteers to protect girls at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).
- Took part of a “Tea for Security” initiative, where we served tea to the security personnel in our residential complex.
Michelle Williams, one of our engineering managers: “BMC Atlanta changed our October breast cancer awareness month event from the annual DANCEATHON to a socially distanced 5k. We partnered with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in raising awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society – Making Strides of Atlanta 5k. Together we donated $6302. An additional October event known as HALLOWUMBATHON5KAVERSARY (four events in one) hosted by Michelle’s Fun Fitness was held raising awareness and funds for Susan G Komen Atlanta. This fun, outdoor, socially distanced 5k, danceathon, and Halloween party raised $895 for breast cancer research.”
Nimish Balai from our marketing organization: “December is my son’s birthday month, which makes the season even more special for us. Since his birth year, we sponsor one day’s meal for 100 students from a hearing-impaired school in Pune. These kids come from varied backgrounds whose parents cannot afford education and proper food for their kids and being specially abled, they prefer enrolling their kids in the school dormitory itself. Not only do we get to interact with these kids and get to see their amazing talents like dancing, skating, and drawing, this annual activity is helping my son understand the Joy of Giving and the importance of respecting everybody.”
Wendy Rentschler from our People and Spaces team: “This month my family and I have worked to help clear the Amazon wish list for SAFE Austin. The SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and domestic violence.”
Vanessa Martins Gomes de Pina, a member of the marketing organization: “I’ve been volunteering at the Animal Foundation in Las Vegas for about a year. When picking a task, I always try to get the Walking The Dogs activity as they need to be walked around the foundation three times a day. When I’m there I know I should give more than receive, but believe me, it’s always the opposite. Independent of their negative past experiences, those dogs show how full of passion, love, gratitude, and hope they are. While with them, I intend to give all my love and attention but I’m the one who receives tons of smiles, licks, and happy tail dances. Their ability to speak through their eyes and body always melt my heart. Take a look on their wish list or at the Animal Foundation Amazon Charity List. I’m sure all the dogs and cats will be happy with your love.”
Ashish Mahajan, a product development manager: “My kids revisited ‘Sharing is Caring‘ during their online school session and wanted to do something special this year. So, they painted special earthen lamps and distributed them along with sweets to all the support staff who are taking care of our housing society. We have also been doing our part every year by donating monetarily to orphanage and organizations who are helping with education of visually impaired children.”
Now more than ever we think it’s important to give back to the communities where we live and work. In this Season of Giving, we wish you all the joy that comes with helping others and we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
