Looking for Philanthropic Inspiration? This Growing #Giveback Initiative Proves You Don’t Need an Elaborate Plan or Lots of Resources to Make a Difference
“You are never too young to start making a difference,” says MiTEQ Managing Director, Alex Whiting. Others at the 16-month-old company agree. It had only been in business a year when several employees joined forces to create MiTEQ’s #GiveBack initiative in December 2020.
“Giving back, at an earlier stage, has forced us to consider more purposeful donations. It’s not about spending lots of money, but instead about listening to the charities we work with and working out where there’s an opportunity to truly make a difference,” explained MiTEQ Marketing Manager, Will Hamilton-Davies, who helped spearhead the early efforts.
Not even a pandemic could stop them from following through on their commitment.
Almost immediately, the company provided Zebra rugged tablets, goodies and books to a children’s hospital ward in Royal London Hospital to allow them to communicate with family over Christmas. MiTEQ Account Director & Healthcare Lead, Mark Gilkes, was front and center for the donation – and rightfully so. He has spent a lifetime working with healthcare providers, delivering technology to help clinicians locate life-saving equipment, spend more time at patient bedsides, and elevate the overall quality of patient care by making information more accurate and accessible.
Following early donations, MiTEQ has been working closely with local charity Southwest Children’s Hospice, while providing food bank donations every quarter, and expanding its charitable giving during the holiday season and beyond.
For example, in December, employees donned festive Christmas jumpers for a donation to the scrub nurses at Charlton Farm Children’s Hospice in Bristol. They donated three gaming consoles along with some notepads, games, copies of one employee’s children’s book, The Shrew with the Flu, and stuffed Zippys (Zebra’s beloved mascot).
But MiTEQ employees have their hearts set on doing even more in 2022.
“We want to grow our efforts into a foundation that we can be proud of,” explained Whiting. “We want to give people the opportunity to thrive in business and outside of business.”
To drive this forward, MiTEQ will be partnering more extensively with Southwest Children’s Hospice to support its year-round needs. It will also be working with Pete Lewin’s Newfoundlands charity, delivering mental wellness swims to front-line workers, families, veterans, and anyone in need of a serotonin boost.
“While we endeavor to grow our Zebra revenues, we will continue to commit a percentage toward finding new ways, using Zebra technology and our own knowhow to give a little more back to the community,” Whiting continued.
When asked why MiTEQ chose this particular approach to philanthropy, Whiting made it clear it was about fulfillment.
“As we start to develop a longer-term relationship with our dedicated charities, we feel we will equally impact those in need as well as the front-line heroes who are selflessly giving their time and hearts to others. We want to ensure those in the most vulnerable of positions are lifted up as we continuously strive toward making people’s lives brighter, more enjoyable and fulfilling. We believe partnering with Pete Lewin’s Newfoundlands and other like-minded organizations will enable us to reach those who need encouragement and tangible support.”
As MiTEQ has proven, small gestures often have the grandest influence on people’s lives.
We asked MiTEQ how other organizations can ensure their charitable initiatives have purpose. They responded with three questions…
1. What donations, both big and small, will make the greatest difference to your charity right now, according to those driving its mission?
2. Which people within your network can help amplify your contribution?
3. How can you align your business with deserving communities, so that as you succeed, they do too?
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Editor’s Note:
You can read about how other Zebra partners are giving back to their communities and helping to restore front-line heroes in these posts…
Therese Van Ryne
Therese Van Ryne is Senior Director of External Communications for Zebra Technologies. She joined Zebra as part of the acquisition of Motorola Solutions Enterprise business in October 2014. She and her team are laser focused on growing the company’s brand awareness globally aligned with business objectives. Her accomplishments include leading Zebra events with Harvard University and TED as well as the creation of the annual Intelligent Enterprise Index, resulting in positive media coverage, customer engagement and revenue growth.
Prior to Motorola Solutions, Van Ryne worked at SC Johnson where she led corporate communication strategies and drove PR and branding efforts for leading consumer products. One of her top achievements was leading the Windex® placement in the film, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” resulting in a 25% sales increase for the brand.
One of PR News’ 2019 Top Women in PR and Crain's Chicago's 2021 Most Notable Executives in Marketing, Therese also has experience as a journalist, editor and producer, reporting nightly from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Van Ryne holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Journalism from Marquette University and an Executive Leadership Master’s Certificate from Cornell University.
