Around the globe we celebrate different holidays, such as Diwali, Christmas, and Lunar New Year. We recognize important celebrations look and feel very different right now. Although we may not be able to spend time with family, friends and loved ones in the way we normally do, it is still a time of contemplation and reflection on a year that has changed all our lives. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on so many people across the globe, particularly less advantaged families, victims of domestic abuse, and those waiting for medical treatment.
So, here at Sophos we ramped up our efforts to give back this festive period. We have been raising funds for a variety of local charities across the globe and Sophos has been matching employee donations. To date, we have raised $75,000 USD.
Sophos teams across the globe have taken time to support those most in need during this challenging time:
- Christmas Jumper Day in the UK raised money for Save the Children, which supports children around the world to be safe and healthy, and a further donation to Abingdon Food Bank and the Abingdon Bridge, which offers counselling and advice for young people.
- EMEA made donations to various charities instead of partner gifts this year, supporting Bärenherz children’s hospice in Germany, Barnardo’s, which provides safety for abused children, and Rainbows children’s hospice in the UK, and KiKa in the Netherlands, which funds childhood cancer research. Employees also donated to food banks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- The Virtual Shoe Box Initiative was promoted in Hungary, which prepares gift boxes for children living in poverty, and employees were encouraged to donate to Interchurch Aid.
- Canada hosted a virtual food drive in aid of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and Ottawa Food Bank.
- Burlington donated to the Virtual Giving Tree, in aid of local foster families, and employees donated to local food banks across the US, including Greater Boston Food Bank, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Inspired Hearts and Hands, North Texas Food Bank, Gleaner’s Food Bank, and Second Harvest Food Bank – Silicon Valley Chapter.
- Sophos India donated towards school books and activities, Happy Meal Kits for under privileged children, and hygiene maintenance at Ropada village.
- An APJ regional GoFundMe page raised funds to support numerous charities including: RizeUp Australia, which cares for families impacted by domestic violence; Willing Hearts Singapore, which operates soup kitchens; Katariba Japan, which helps children that have been adversely impacted by challenges in society; and the Makati Medical Center Foundation in the Philippines.
Employees have continued to use Sophos Employee Volunteering (up to 40 hours) to help those facing adversity during the pandemic. As examples, colleagues have spent time talking virtually with isolated elderly people to keep them company during lockdown, delivering groceries for those in quarantine, and recording training videos to help people understand Zoom and connect with their loved ones.
From our team to yours, we wish you all a very safe and peaceful holiday and look forward to a renewed and positive outlook for us all in 2021.