Cisco's Global Week of Giving (GWoG) Bangalore - Empowering Communities Through Volunteering

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth" - Mohammed Ali

At Cisco, giving back is not just a tradition; it's ingrained in our DNA. Our culture fosters a spirit of generosity and provides opportunities for employees to make a meaningful impact in their communities. One such initiative is the Global Week of Giving (GWoG), where we come together to volunteer and support various non-profit organizations.

In the fiscal year FY2024, we organized several giving back events at Cisco Bangalore. Each event focuses on a specific theme, bringing together volunteers and NGO partners to address critical issues faced in our society.

Q2 - Promote Shelter and Security

During Q2 FY2024, with the theme of shelter and security, partnering with organizations such as Jagruthi Trust Redili Right To Live The Akshaya Patra Foundation Surabhi Foundation Trust , we witnessed the incredible impact of collective action. With close to 1,400+ volunteers contributing over 2,800 hours, Cisco's matching gifts amounted to $28,000. From packing groceries to creating learning materials physically and digitally and beautifying surroundings, our volunteers left a lasting impression on the communities we served.

Q3 - Empowering Youth and Education

In Q3 FY2024, our focus shifted to youth and education. Collaborating with Parikrama Humanit Foundation Ananya Foundation GiftAbled Right To Live U&I Trust , we continued our commitment to making a difference. Through mentoring young engineers, creating educational materials physically and digitally, and physical volunteering, our volunteers demonstrated their dedication to empowering the next generation. With over 1,200+ volunteers and 2,300 volunteering hours, Cisco's matching gifts totalled $23,000, further amplifying the impact of our efforts.

Q4 - Strive to break the Poverty

In Q4 FY2024, we remained steadfast in our commitment to serving society. With plans to tackle the theme of poverty, we anticipated even greater participation and impact during the global week of giving. Started with a clean-up and plantation drive at the Bangalore University campus, 3-days community volunteering with various events, packing and distribution of grocery kits to Cisco WPR support staff through Jagruthi Trust , making paper bags and arranging of cloths donated to Nightingales Medical Trust , electric matching board model making with YOUTH FOR SEVA (YFS) physical volunteering at Visthar trust preparing to mulch, to craft recycled, handmade paper, from pottery to gardening and cleaning, not only contributed to Visthar's mission but also enriched our understanding of sustainable living, finally the global week of giving concluded with a virtual event with The Akshaya Patra Foundation to build digital educational materials. Through these seven events with a participation of 1,200+ volunteers together contributing to 6,200 volunteering hours in total, Matching Gifts $62,000 from Cisco. The GWoG Bangalore Q4 FY2024 in Bangalore was a remarkable success, highlighting Cisco’s dedication to making a positive impact on the community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, partners, and organizations that contributed to these meaningful events. Together, we are creating a better future.

Overall Impact from GWoG FY2024

In the last three quarters alone, our collective efforts have touched the lives of over 10,000 families, with 4,000 volunteers participating and demonstrating the power of volunteerism and community engagement resulting in 12,000 volunteering hours and $112,000 in Cisco matching gifts for the participating NGOs across the year.

Various ways Cisco supports employees’ efforts to give back to society

At 思科 , we believe in supporting our employees' efforts to give back. From Time2Give to matching donations and matching gifts of $10/hour from volunteering hours, country grant programs, technology and product donations, and expertise to help discover the best ideas to solve social problems we strive to empower our workforce to create positive change in the world. Cisco enables people to make powerful connections--whether in business, education, philanthropy, or creativity.

Thanks to all the organizing team Rohit Chopra JITENDRA KUMAR PATEL (He/Him/His) Pavan Nelson Dsouza Eunicy Rajan Ebrahim Riyaz Abdul Nazir Juliet Lobo Reshma Yasmeen Apoorva Singhal Pratheeba Baskaran Vinodkumar Tiwari Mradul Gupta NIPUN TYAGI Abhilash M Harsha D P - PMP? Emani Sri Venkatesh Harish Arumugam and many more who contributed immensely in planning and organizing these events.

Conclusion

Bangalore GWoG in the fiscal year FY2024 was a remarkable success, highlighting Cisco’s dedication to making a positive impact on the community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, partners, and organizations that contributed to these meaningful events.

Together, we can continue to make a difference and build a brighter future for all. Looking forward to the new fiscal year FY2025 to organize and participate in CSR events to help the community.

#CiscoCSR #GlobalWeekOfGivingBack #CommunityEngagement #Sustainability #EmployeeVolunteering.