Intel at 40, celebrates with volunteerism

SANTA CLARA, USA: Intel, Microchips and computing products major Intel recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in a very curious way by volunteering one million hours and raising $8 million.

Increased volunteerism where employees live and work has spurred the development of a new skills-based volunteer program at the company, matching employees with specialized skills with community needs, said a press release. Paul Otellini, Intel's CEO and president, thanked employees for their volunteerism.

Intel employees gave of their time in more than 40 countries in 2008, a more than 50 per cent increase over 2007. More than 47,000 Intel employees volunteered in 2008, a 16 per cent increase over 2007, for nearly 5,500 local schools, community support organizations and other non-profits, it added.

Shelly Esque, Intel vice president, Legal and Corporate Affairs, said, "Volunteerism is part of Intel's values. The uncertain economic outlook makes volunteerism more important than ever and Intel's commitment is stronger than ever.

She added, “The impact of 1 million hours of volunteering, coupled with the Intel Foundation's volunteer matching grant of approximately $8 million for non-profits and schools, makes a big difference for the communities in which our employees live and work.”

The volunteering program was conducted in San Jose, India, Brazil, Massachusetts and Malaysia among other places. In San Jose, Calif., near Intel's Santa Clara headquarters, youths with disabilities learned how to ride bikes – and gain confidence and independence in the process – with the help of Intel and the national non-profit group called Lose the Training Wheels.

In India, one Intel volunteer taught youth how to create a kitchen garden and provided critical health information that allowed students and their families to eat and be healthier. It even had activities like conducting career clinics and education programs.

The skills-based type of volunteerism was so well received in Intel communities around the world that Intel plans to continue the 40th anniversary momentum with a greater focus in this area. Employees with specialized disciplines would be matched with community needs.

The efforts would earn grants for the organization while delivering valuable professional services in finance, HR, strategic planning, engineering, Information Technology and other areas, the release added.