Help Us Restore Our Local Heroes and Communities During the 2021 #GlobalWeekofService
The spirit of giving will never go out of style, and with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, taking the time to renew the strength and joy of our communities has become more important than ever before. That is why Zebras across the globe are channeling their passion for volunteerism into restoring communities and supporting our local front-line heroes throughout our second annual Global Week of Service from July 12 – 16, 2021.
How Our Mission Has Changed in the Last Year – and How We Hope It Will Help Others Fulfill Theirs Throughout the Coming Year
Zebra hosted our inaugural Global Week of Service in 2020 with the mission of helping front-line heroes as the pandemic was approaching its peak. Now, our team of empowered volunteers takes on the mission of restoring the front-line heroes who have supported our families and communities through this time of uncertainty. Whether participating individually from home or socially distanced in their local communities, we know the actions of each employee, partner, customer, friend, family and perfect stranger who joins this effort will help make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The ways in which we ultimately give back will be diverse and far-reaching. For example, groups of volunteers will be sending cards of cheer to elderly care facility workers and residents, both of whom have been deeply challenged by the COVID-19 crisis. Others will be volunteering online with the Missing Maps Project, tracing over satellite imagery of areas at high risk for natural disasters. This will help ensure first responders and disaster relief workers can operate with more ease and effectively deliver lifesaving aid without delay.
Many Zebras have also committed to:
- donate processing power from personal home computers to Folding@Home to help researchers and scientists around the globe develop cures and vaccines for coronaviruses and other diseases.
- scan and proofread books with Book Share, an e-book library powered by volunteers which provides those with reading barriers, such as dyslexia and visual impairments, a vast collection of customizable books they can read in an accessible manner.
- join a global network of digital volunteers to help research and expose human rights violations with Amnesty Decoders.
Much like how our products and solutions give a performance edge to the front line of business, we look forward to supporting our front-line workers and their families through our philanthropic efforts in July (and beyond).
Check back into the Your Edge Blog in mid-August to see the impact of our efforts during the 2021 Global Week of Service. (Or subscribe to bi-weekly updates to find out all the different ways Zebra gives back.) Until then, Zebra Nation encourages you to find your own way of restoring the heroes in your community.
Simply volunteering for one hour or one week can make someone’s life better. Acts of service, both big and small, help make our world a stronger, more resilient, and more joyful place. Spending a few minutes to lend a hand, share a smile, or even sort books may mean the world to someone who really needs it. Even passing out school supplies or passing down gently used clothes can inspire young children to pay the kindness forward to their peers – or the next generation behind them – while providing a little relief for their caregivers. Kindness is contagious!
So, please join us in our mission of doing well by doing good by giving back to the front-line heroes who have spent months delivering the goods, services and compassionate care we needed to overcome hardship and heal from one of the most challenging experiences of our lives.
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Did You Know?
Volunteering is just as good for you as it is for the people you are serving! It also offers a healthy break from the long days spent working remotely and taking time away from the hustle and bustle of our professional lives to help rebuild a sense of community can be rewarding, especially when teaming up with colleagues we’ve felt disconnected from for so long.
Doing good for others inadvertently makes us feel good, too. Research shows that sharing your time with others for a good cause can improve your overall happiness and mental well-being. In fact, 76% of surveyed volunteers say they feel healthier after volunteering. So, we encourage you to set aside some time to restore our heroes while also refreshing yourself.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Want to learn more about the organizations that Zebras will be supporting during the Global Week of Service, or how you can team up with Zebra Nation to give back to those in your community who need help? Please reach out to our Zebra Gives team at CSR@zebra.com.
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.
