Based on skills and techniques used every day at Wingate ("WAML"), volunteers created a curriculum for Junior Coaches at Playworks, a nonprofit that aims to instill in fifth and sixth graders communication, collaboration, leadership, and innovation skills. Throughout the school year, participating kids come to our offices for after-school tutoring and to experience office life. This spring, WAML’s Boston and New York City offices introduced the first-ever Playworks Interactive Videoconference, which, in addition to testing students on what they learned in the program, was a fun way to introduce them to office technology and connect with kids in different cities.

One of our longest running global volunteer partnerships is with Habitat for Humanity. Employees in Dublin, Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Jersey City, and New York City spend full days renovating properties or building new ones. Not only is it great to trade computer screens for power tools, but it’s also rewarding to work alongside the families who will inhabit these houses.

Monthly trips to volunteer at shelters and soup kitchens are one of the most popular activities at WAML. Our philanthropic partners rely heavily on volunteers, and we take pride in helping them provide essential nutrition to those in need. Sharing a meal not only brings people closer, but also encourages many of the recipient low-income families to learn about additional services available to them. Rosie’s Place (Boston), Friendship Trays (Charlotte), Hoboken Shelter (Jersey City), and Stemm vun der Strooss (Luxembourg) are just a few examples of organizations with which we maintain ongoing partnerships in local communities.

Every child should be able to start the school year excited and ready to learn. WAML offices host school supply drives for children in need to ensure they have the necessary supplies to succeed during the school year. Employees in some offices (like Dublin, pictured left) deliver overstuffed backpacks with materials and clothes paired to the needs of a specific child. Other offices organize more general supply drives like “Stuff the Bus” in Philadelphia, which helps teachers outfit entire classrooms.

Our employees are always excited to share their skills and experiences with energetic youth and young adults through programs like Junior Achievement (Krakow and Dublin), Youth Venture (Boston), and Envision (London, pictured left). All of these programs challenge young adults to assess issues in their schools and communities and work with mentors to create solutions for change.

Food pantries around the world are always in need. WAML works to partner with local communities to provide support during times of peak demand, typically during the summer when school is out or during the holiday season. Our colleagues in Hong Kong, for example, collect canned and dry goods in the weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year for their local food bank; their hope is that these basic supplies will help struggling families start the new year on better footing.

We lend countless hours and expertise to nonprofit board committees. WAML supports their efforts by granting time off for these activities, and by providing training and board-placement assistance.  Every day, we uncover more employees who are quietly doing extraordinary things in our communities.