Recently, a team of VW employees took time out of their day to delve into the world of interior design. The goal: help design a haven for a child with a life-threatening illness, part of the Rooms of Hope’s charitable mission.
Their work was part of VW’s Get Involved program – specifically Get Involved Month – a company-wide approach to community service that rewards those who want to make a difference.
“So many of our employees do remarkable work within their communities across the country,” said Machelle Williams, Senior Director, Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA). “The company’s leadership team is inspired by and grateful for our employees’ passion for giving back. We are proud to support employees and the charity organizations they care so deeply about.”
The “Get Involved” initiative is part of the company’s CSR program encompassing matching donation programs, a corporate giving program, a volunteer day and a designated month for employees around the country to collectively volunteer with local charities and organizations. This year, more than 300 employees at VW sites across the U.S. volunteered approximately 900 combined hours with local charitable organizations.
“Why do I get involved in my community? To pay it forward,” said David Newell, Project Technician at VWGoA.
“It is so gratifying to work for a company that chooses to support charitable causes and encourages its employees to do the same,” Newell said. “Rooms of Hope greatly impacted my family when they gave my niece a dream room makeover. I am proud to be part of a team that volunteered to give hope to new families in need of the same support and love my family received.”
During Get Involved Month, the company also awards the annual Get Involved Community Leadership Award that recognizes employees who go above and beyond to make a difference in their neighborhoods. As part of the award, the recipients receive a monetary donation made to the qualified charity organization of their choice.
David was one of this year’s recipients. “I am immensely grateful to VWGoA for their support of not only the charity I am passionate about, but other VWGoA employee-supported charities.”
During the month, another group of employees from VW Headquarters volunteered with the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, assembling care packages to distribute to active U.S. military members and their families. The Get Involved initiative not only means a lot to VW employees, but truly impacts the organizations they support.
“It is thanks to incredible supporters like Volkswagen Group of America that for 75 years the USO has been showing the support of local communities for members of our Armed Forces,” remarked Elaine Rogers, President and CEO of the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore. “USO-Metro care packages serve as an expression of appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our military members and their families, and we’re extremely thankful to Volkswagen employees for the thought and care they put into assembling them.”
And just like the thought and care that VW puts into building cars, VWGoA employees take the same pride in improving the communities where they live and work, and in keeping the spirit of Get Involved Month alive all year long.
“Having the support of VWGoA gives me the freedom to contribute my time and efforts generously, following after their example set at a corporate level,” said Newell.