Last week, Samsung employees participated in the 12th annual Samsung Gives Day of Service. With over 2,000 available opportunities for service across North America, participants partnered with 38 different non-profit organizations to complete the company’s first in-person service event following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the last two years, employees continued to support their communities with a variety of virtual activities, some of which were also offered during this year’s event.

With Samsung’s core values of people and co-prosperity, the company seeks to empower individuals to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social change. Service opportunities were aligned with Samsung’s commitments to education, sustainability or diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), although many covered more than one cause.

The day included 18 events dedicated to Samsung’s commitment to the environment, including education on the effects of food growth, production and consumption on the sustainability of the world’s food system. From cleaning up parks, to renovating gardens, employees had various opportunities to immerse themselves in nature, while supporting local communities.

Employees in New Jersey came together to enhance The City Green Learning Farm, the hub for youth education and recreation.

In Dallas, TX, employees visited Bonton Farms to promote health and wellness in the community.

Following the launch of the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, employees participated in two events specifically aligned with program and Samsung’s corporate citizenship mission of “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People.” In 2017, the John P. Holland Charter School in Woodland Park, NJ was a Solve for Tomorrow National Finalist for their app tracking student walks to and from school. For one of this year’s activities, employees visited the students to build on interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Middle school classes pitched their ideas to Samsung employees and learned more about careers in STEM.

Students were surprised with a special Donors Choose delivery drop off filled with STEM activities.

With the help of Samsung Electronics America’s six Employee Resource Groups, the company was able to partner with many organizations that supported its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In Texas, Samsung promoted reading and learning with preschoolers at Mi Escuelita Preschool, where students are taught English and prepared for academic success.

Samsung Electronics America sponsored a book fair for students to choose books to take home, while employees read books to the students.

This year’s Day of Service occurred during Hunger Action Month, dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on the hunger crisis. Samsung Gives participants had nine events to choose from aligned with improving food security, including packing and delivering meals and working with local farms to provide nutritious foods to communities.

At Samsung’s North American Headquarters in Ridgefield Park, NJ, employees made sandwiches and packed 500 meals for guests at The Hoboken Shelter.

Throughout the country, employees gathered together at their regional offices to pack and deliver thousands of healthy, delicious meals for community members in need. In Texas, participants had a unique experience, as they were able to complete the service chain from start to finish as they packed, transported and delivered meals in partnership with The Pack Shack and North Texas Food Bank.

Employees at Samsung’s Legacy Central office in Plano, TX partnered with The Pack Shack for a Feed the Funnel meal packing party. As a result, nearly 20,000 prepared meals were delivered to the North Texas Food Bank, where food was packed for distribution across North Texas.

Participants also helped sort and pack food at the North Texas Food Bank, which aims close the hunger gap in North Texas by providing access to nutritious food.

With over 50 unique activities to choose from, volunteers were able to form newfound friendships within Samsung and beyond through teaming up with Samsung’s partners. In North Carolina, Samsung and Lowe’s came together to build and assemble over 50 beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to be distributed locally to children and families in need.

Samsung and Lowe’s teamed up alongside Sleep in Heavenly Peace to assemble bunk beds to be delivered to families in need across Iredell County in North Carolina.

“At Samsung, we are dedicated to empowering our employees and driving positive change in communities nationwide,” said Michelle Crossan-Matos, Chief Marketing, Citizenship & Communications Officer at Samsung Electronics America. “Our employees have a passion for giving, and since Samsung Gives launched in 2014, over 144,000 employee hours have been donated to non-profit organizations across the country. It is so rewarding to witness the impact that is being made and the incredible ripple effect that volunteering has on these communities.”