Sep 28, 2023 | Inside Thomson Reuters

That’s a wrap on our second annual Thomson Reuters Global Volunteer Day! On September 13th, 2023, our dedicated Thomson Reuters teammates volunteered at various charitable organizations across the globe, and it was a massive success, surpassing the impact we made last year. Employees used the day to volunteer for causes most important to them, such as animal welfare, education, food insecurity, housing and homelessness, health, and the environment.

Let’s look at our impact by the numbers:

• Over 1,300 employees participated in 15 countries
• We supported over 100 charitable organizations through organized volunteer events
• Our team volunteered over 6,800 hours, surpassing last year’s total of 5,000 hours

Thomson Reuters has a longstanding commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work through volunteering and acts of service. On Global Volunteer Day, numerous initiatives were undertaken to address diverse needs:

• For animal welfare, shelter animals were bathed, over 50 enrichment items were created, and pet food was donated to local shelters.
• Children also received considerable attention, with the creation and distribution of handmade fleece blankets, assembly of 200 coloring books, virtual reading sessions, and generous donations to an orphanage.
• In the realm of education, students benefited from professional workshops, lectures, and virtual assistance on career advice, scholarships, and higher education, alongside the creation of study aids like lamps and geo boards.
• Addressing food insecurity was prioritized, with the preparation and service of 1,000 meal boxes, assistance in food pantries, and the wrapping of disposable utensil sets.
• A dedicated effort was made to ameliorate environmental conditions through litter pick-up activities at beaches, camps, and parks. There were also significant contributions to health through blood and plasma donations.
• Lastly, to combat housing and homelessness issues, over 400 clothing items were distributed to more than 100 families, and a home was built for a deserving family, underscoring a holistic approach to community service and societal well-being.

Employees welcomed the opportunity to make an impact in their communities:

• “It’s so fulfilling to see how we are able to have a direct impact in our surrounding community working with Minnie’s Food Pantry. There is a reason they have been so successful in serving their community over the past 15 years!”
• “I had a great time volunteering! I felt very refreshed afterward. It was fantastic to help out and see the direct impact our time had on the organization.”
• “I recorded and uploaded two short books this morning and it was a very simple process. I now have a much greater appreciation for presenters and newsreaders.”
• “It was a great opportunity to help a wonderful charity bring nutritious foods to local communities. I was glad to see the Foodlink operation and get a sense of its scale, while contributing to a small but important part—being the Curbside Market that is so crucial in these times as we continue to grapple with COVID.”
• “Interacting with all different walks of life was humbling and rewarding at the same time.”

Most importantly, we provided much-needed assistance to local charitable organizations and causes:

• “We did great today with your help. We produced one of the best meals, and the guests even asked for seconds or take-away boxes. We hope that you will come back to volunteer.”
• “We are incredibly appreciative of all the work that went into outreach, recruitment, and planning to make this week on-site such a success. Partners like you create new homeownership opportunities by providing volunteers and financial resources to help build or rehabilitate homes. For many of our neighbors, homeownership seems out of reach – your sponsorship and volunteerism help keep homes affordable for homebuyers.”
• “Your group helped us serve 303 families and put almost 20,000 pounds of food into the community! That is approximately the size of a garbage truck or five rhinoceroses. Thank you again, from the pantry and volunteer teams, and the neighbors who were supported by your efforts.”

Our 2023 Global Volunteer Day truly exemplified the spirit of compassion, reinforcing our enduring commitment to fostering positive change in communities worldwide. I couldn’t be prouder of our team, and I look forward to building on this success in 2024.