Charitable giving has been part of the business culture ever since businesses have begun making huge amounts of money. But these days all businesses are incorporating elements of social responsibility into their corporate culture. In fact, recently Google announced that the employee bonus program at their company will tie 25% of employee bonuses to social activity. But they're not the only one giving.
A women from Shelbyville, TN has been organizing a drive to get fleece blankets to the victims of Japan's recent earthquake. In a recent interview she said, "It's just a small thing we can do. We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children. Over and over they express how touched they are that a stranger would take the time to make something for them. They really know the difference. Purchased blankets are nice, but handmade blankets are from the heart."
And many companies are joining this idea as they send fleece blankets and sheet sets to disaster stricken areas. Some companies have even taken the idea further and are becoming a "Buy 1 Give 1" business. This means that for every fleece blanket that a customer buys for themselves, the company donates the exact same blanket to a person in need. Though most recipients are children, they are definitely not the only ones that are benefiting from the new form of corporate giving. Many people of all ages and all around the world are becoming more and more connected to these initiatives.
Though some may be skeptical of this new found interest of giving by corporate interests, the facts on the ground currently suggest that this is a trend that is worth developing. As long as companies are being held accountable for the amount of donations they are supposed to give, then this new form of corporate sponsored charity should benefit everyone.
With the success of corporate giving tests like the laptop buy 1 give 1 idea from 2008, many companies are now offering many products that could benefit those in need - from shoes to fleece blankets and sheet sets. All the basic necessities are now being consumed by the giving spree. And despite the cautionary outlook that many customers feel, it seems to be making a big difference, much bigger than anyone could have imagined. It will be very interesting to see where corporations and smaller businesses will take this idea. What can the next step of charitable giving be? We will have to wait and see. But for the meantime, it is a blessed change from the corporate behavior we were used to seeing in the past decades.
A women from Shelbyville, TN has been organizing a drive to get fleece blankets to the victims of Japan's recent earthquake. In a recent interview she said, "It's just a small thing we can do. We receive thousands of letters and thank you notes every year from children. Over and over they express how touched they are that a stranger would take the time to make something for them. They really know the difference. Purchased blankets are nice, but handmade blankets are from the heart."
And many companies are joining this idea as they send fleece blankets and sheet sets to disaster stricken areas. Some companies have even taken the idea further and are becoming a "Buy 1 Give 1" business. This means that for every fleece blanket that a customer buys for themselves, the company donates the exact same blanket to a person in need. Though most recipients are children, they are definitely not the only ones that are benefiting from the new form of corporate giving. Many people of all ages and all around the world are becoming more and more connected to these initiatives.
Though some may be skeptical of this new found interest of giving by corporate interests, the facts on the ground currently suggest that this is a trend that is worth developing. As long as companies are being held accountable for the amount of donations they are supposed to give, then this new form of corporate sponsored charity should benefit everyone.
With the success of corporate giving tests like the laptop buy 1 give 1 idea from 2008, many companies are now offering many products that could benefit those in need - from shoes to fleece blankets and sheet sets. All the basic necessities are now being consumed by the giving spree. And despite the cautionary outlook that many customers feel, it seems to be making a big difference, much bigger than anyone could have imagined. It will be very interesting to see where corporations and smaller businesses will take this idea. What can the next step of charitable giving be? We will have to wait and see. But for the meantime, it is a blessed change from the corporate behavior we were used to seeing in the past decades.
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