Samsung’s 15th Day of Service: A Milestone in Strengthening Community Connections

Samsung’s annual Day of Service has become a rewarding tradition for employees across the US to step away from their desks and into service within their communities.  This beloved tradition reflects the company’s deep-rooted commitment to community impact through activities that embody the mission of Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People. What began as a meaningful gesture has grown into a cornerstone initiative, mobilizing thousands of Samsung team members each year united by a shared mission to create real, lasting change.

This year’s activities included educational initiatives, sustainability and food security projects, accessibility programs, and human service initiatives.

Let’s take a look at the different ways Samsung’s 15^th Day of Service has made a lasting impact on both the employee participants and organizations they support.

Education: Empowering Future Leaders Through STEM

Samsung has long championed education through programs like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.  The company empowers students to apply STEM skills to real-world problems, while fostering creativity, critical thinking and community engagement.

Employees brought elements of this program to life through a design thinking challenge at Upper School in Englewood Cliffs, NJ – which happens to be the home of their newly opened National Headquarters.  Sixth grade Upper School students teamed up with employees to identify, develop and present solutions to real-world problems in their community, all while using AI tools and Samsung devices. In addition to the engaging activity, teachers and students were surprised with new classroom tech through Samsung’s partnership with DonorsChoose, including Galaxy Tab S10 Lite tablets, and other STEM materials such as microscopes.

“I learned so much from the students at Upper School Elementary,” said Samsung’s Angie Adams, Senior Manager, Corporate Citizenship. “I was impressed with how they combined the technology we had for the activity with critical thinking and empathy. It was a good reminder that tech plus people is what really drives change. Not only does Samsung offer cutting-edge classroom technology, but hosting activities like our Day of Service and programs like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow really demonstrate our commitment to STEM education and the next generation of innovative thinkers.”

Tony Zhang, Director of Process Innovation at Samsung, shared a similar sentiment. “For my Day of Service event at Upper School, we led a 6th-grade group through an innovation challenge utilizing design thinking and Gen AI. These are tools and techniques we use heavily in Samsung, and are actually what my team focuses on every day,” he explained. “My favorite part was when my group of students identified a problem that they cared about in their lives – improving recess! I could feel their energy as they honed in on the various aspects of their project and excitedly bounced solutions off each other. It was awesome to see their enthusiasm for solving a unique problem in their community.”

Sustainability: Preserving our Planet for Future Generations

“My favorite part of this experience was, surprisingly, working in the inclement weather,” said Helena Kim, Finance Manager at Samsung. “Watching everyone work together and push through the rain showed me the resiliency of each individual, resulting in incredible teamwork and ultimately getting the job across the finish line. At one point, we even passed some shrubs planted from Samsung’s 2024 Day of Service. It was special to see just how much can be done within a year. From this Day of Service activity to our Samsung AI, adaptive usability, photo capacities and more, I believe that Samsung is consistently striving for excellence and “planting” for the future.”

“Nature plays a huge part in my life,” said Jason Kollarik, Senior Supply Chain Manager. “When the opportunity came to give back to the Tenafly Nature Center, it seemed like a perfect fit. In my few, failed attempts at gardening, my #1 issue has been losing crops to critters.  I will definitely be taking the mitigation efforts learned in shielding these trees from deer, next year when I plant my herbs and spices.”

Accessibility: Creating an Inclusive World

Samsung believes that technology should empower and inspire, helping to enable a better future for all.

Not only is Samsung creating products that prioritize accessibility features, but it is also raising awareness of those who can benefit from inclusive practices and accessible solutions.  Samsung fosters an inclusive workplace that promotes opportunities for all to thrive. In partnership with the company’s True Ability Affinity Group, Samsung employees in Texas teamed up with The nonPareil Institute, a post-secondary non-profit serving adults with autism. Together with nonPareil crew members, participants engaged in a tech skills day, including mock interviews and hands-on phone repairs.

“Hearing the crew members at nonPareil share how technology has shaped their lives and how Samsung products specifically further empower them was incredibly rewarding,” said Daniel Goldberg, Smartphone Product Manager at Samsung. “These interactions not only highlighted the transformative potential of our innovations, but also reinforced the profound impact of connecting with customers on a personal level. Visiting The nonPareil Institute offered a powerful reminder of how our daily decisions, both big and small, ripple out to touch lives in ways we might not immediately recognize. Whether it’s adding an accessibility feature, crafting promotions that put our products in more hands, or simply creating excitement that makes a customer proud to use their device, every role within our organization contributes to shaping meaningful experiences for others.”

Suzanne De Silva, Head of Mobile Go-to-Market, further explained, “I volunteered at nonPareil because I believe in unlocking potential – helping individuals discover their strengths and find careers where they can truly thrive. Working with the neurodivergent young adults at nonPareil taught me that to truly do this, I need to look beyond the traditional frameworks of employee development. I’ve witnessed how individuals who struggle in such frameworks can become exceptional when processes are designed around clarity, structure and playing to cognitive strengths.”

Food Security: Supporting Human Services for Healthy Communities

By collaborating with community organizations, Samsung actively looks to enhance access to essential resources and improve the quality of life for members of its local neighborhoods. Employees contribute to this by volunteering with local food banks, meal delivery programs and shelters, utilizing their time and skills to address food security issues in communities nationwide.

For the third Day of Service in a row, employees in Texas transformed the office into a Feed the Funnel Party with The Pack Shack. Participants grabbed their hairnets, turned up the tunes and engaged in a high energy assembly line to pack over 40,000 meals to be donated to the Plano Independent School District Food Pantry, ensuring that no student goes hungry

“Food insecurity hits close to home for me, especially for kids who rely on school programs to eat, because that was my reality growing up,” says Ryne Pope, Senior Manager, Category Management. “Being able to directly support families in the Plano community made the work feel personal and purpose driven. Whether it’s through volunteering, supporting local schools or empowering the communities where we work and live – working at Samsung is bigger than just innovation in tech, it’s about using our resources and people to make a tangible difference. From setting high goals, to ringing the gong every time we hit a milestone, the team did a great job of making the activity fun and keeping the vibes high. There was a real sense of teamwork and pride knowing every box we packed would make someone’s day a little easier.”