By Alex Charles, Corporate Public Relations, Xerox
If money were no object, what would you do with your free time?
For five Xerox employees, the answer is easy—give back. Through Xerox’s Social Service Leave program, five employees have received a fully paid leave of absence to volunteer for local non-profit organizations in their communities.
This year’s class of Social Service Leave participants will help a varied group of organizations and causes which include: Warrior Weekend Program, Rotary Club University Area Foundation, Save the Children, the Venice Family Clinic and the St. Joseph Food Program.
Xerox’s Social Service Leave program benefits the organizations and causes served as well as the company itself.
As the world’s leading enterprise for business process and document management, our collective expertise is a boon to many of the causes and nonprofit organizations our employees hold dear. And because our employees are given the opportunity to give back to their local communities, many employees return feeling refreshed and re-energized.
I’ve even heard many former Social Service Leave participants say that the experience changes your life. Irene Hickey, who will be working with the Rotary Club during her leave to provide low cost, fully furnished housing to firefighters (and their families); explained what her leave has meant to her:
“This social service leave gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue a dream of helping others. My life has changed as a result of it. The Xerox Foundation truly made my dream come true by affording me this opportunity. For that, I shall remain always grateful.”
The Social Service Leave program reinforces the promise that our employees work for a company that understands its responsibility to the community at large. And because Xerox recruits talented individuals who share its understanding of social responsibility, the Social Service Leave marries two of the company’s core values; being a good corporate citizen and valuing our employees.
Congratulations to this year’s class on your selection. As an employee of the company you represent, we’re grateful for your example of service and focus on public good.
“If money were no object, what would you do with your free time? ” This question is the beginning of my day dreams, the opportunity to truly help those in need, there is no greater satisfaction. I recently found out about this program a few months ago and learnt I am not eligible to participate. I still think it is a great program and only wish there were other ways that employees could help their communities through a company initiative. I do currently give food and clothes as regular donations, but doing it at work helps with learning about your fellow co-worker and can assist in making a better work environment. I have been lucky enough to work at other companies to organize drives that helped with clothes and food for the needy and hope I will be able to be a part of an initiative like that at TMS Health. I envy the lucky recipients at having the opportunity to fully give themselves to a cause such as they have chosen. I wish them luck and know that it WILL be a life changing opportunity.
This is a great program and a wonderful opportuinity. Another great opportunity to help is through Xerox Communinity Involvment program. I have worked in the Chicago area for 26 years with this program. Currently I am the Rosemont leader and love this opportunity to represent Xerox through organizing and partidcipating in many volunteer events.