Impact Day 2020: Boxers in EMEA serve their local communities, virtually
Three years ago, we decided to shift how we celebrate the holidays at Box. We decided to focus on spending more time serving our local communities on a global employee initiative called Impact Day. Over the last three years, our EMEA boxers have spent this day volunteering and learning about the mission of amazing non-profit organisations. Last year in the London office, Boxers painted the walls of Holborn Community centre, whilst Boxers in our Paris office helped with the food preparation at Resto du Coeur, and in Munich, Boxers renovated rooms at a youth centre.
This year, looked a bit different.
As we continue to keep distance in hopes of keeping our communities safe, we set out to find new ways to give back. However, what did not change were our community focus areas: Diverse Tech Pipelines, Digital Transformations and Being a Good Neighbour. Here's how we spent this years Impact Day in EMEA:
Turning a past into a future with St Giles Trust
The day started with a Tech Employability Skills Session with the case workers at St Giles Trust. 80 Boxers across EMEA joined the call to learn how St Giles Trust helps people held back by poverty and abuse, caught up in crime, dealing with addiction, suffering from mental health problems, get back on their feet. Then Boxers from HR, Recruitment and Enablement led a skills session to enable the St Giles caseworkers to learn more about the IT landscape, jobs available, virtual interview techniques and key skills needed for careers in tech.
Spreading Awareness and fundraising in support of Cancer Research UK
From there, we hosted a Lunch and Learn Session with Cancer Research to empower EMEA Boxers to learn how to take positive action for their health. A guest speaker from Cancer Research raised awareness about how to reduce the risk of cancer and the importance of spotting cancer early. From there, we held a Photo Challenge, where Boxers submitted photos throughout the day of doing a healthy activity and each submission equalled a 20 pound donation to Cancer Research. Overall we raised £1,500 pounds for Cancer Research (including Box.org private donations) whilst promoting healthy living!
An afternoon of giving back
In the afternoon, Boxers worldwide joined CareerVillage.org to provide personalised career advice to underrepresented youth. Boxers and their families also joined Love for our Elders to write letters of support to elders facing isolation, and loneliness due to Covid-19.
Other boxers in EMEA arranged in teams their own volunteering activities, leveraging their unique skills to make an impact. For example, Daniel Schuchman, and Sam Thorpe, prepared and donated 15 laptops from Box as part of Hackney's Schools Laptop Appeal programme. Whilst boxers in HR and Enablement had a brainstorming session on how to create longer term career mentoring programmes with St Giles Trust.
Another group of Boxers hosted an Insights into our Career session with Muslamic Makers, a community of Muslims working in and around the technology scene, creating a space for Muslims to be not just ‘included’ but to thrive in their work spaces and industries. This session was followed by a CV clinic where Boxers gave 1:1 CV advice to individuals from Muslamic Makers.
Join us and make an impact in your community
We're so inspired by the passion and enthusiasm EMEA Boxers brought to Impact Day this year! While Impact Day is Box's most company-wide coordinated day of service in the year, Boxers consistently take action in their local and global communities. 2020 brought unprecedented challenges in our world, and we encourage everyone, Boxers and beyond, to get involved and advocate for the causes they care about this holiday season and beyond!