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“Volunteers play such a significant role in their communities, helping to address social, economic and environmental issues, and supporting children, the elderly, and people with disabilities,” said Jessie Cannon, vice president of Community Relations at Cardinal Health. “We empower employees around the globe to give back to the causes that mean the most to them – and they do, with great passion and pride,” Cannon said.

At the same time, volunteers gain invaluable skills that can help them grow in their careers, she said. “These skills, including team building, communications, problem-solving, customer service and leadership experience, are very valuable in the workplace.”

This spring, Cannon challenged employees to join Cardinal Health in supporting their communities during April’s Global Volunteer Month and Earth Month; they responded with enthusiasm. Here are just a few highlights.

The human resources team that supports our International Medical Products Distribution business dedicated a full week to community service. Collectively, the team of more than 100  donated 610-plus hours to volunteer events benefiting 16 organizations in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, China, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland and Germany.

• In Thailand, employees supported  the nonprofit Universal Foundation for Persons with Disabilities and its Yimsoo Farm, staffed primarily by individuals with disabilities. The organization trains those with disabilities to earn an income by growing hydroponic vegetables and mushrooms.
• In Germany, employees participated in an activity organized by the city of Hamburg, cleaning up local parks, playgrounds and neighborhoods, an annual event that helps ensure a safe and clean city for children and adults.
• In Quebec, employees volunteered at On Rock Community Services, whose services include a food bank, a school lunch program and others designed to help those who struggle with food insecurity.

Near our headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, nearly 100 employees joined our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) team as they hosted an Earth Month event at Stratford Ecological Center, a farm and nature preserve whose staff helps foster an appreciation for the land by teaching children and adults about the relationships between living things and their environment. Our volunteers planted trees, removed invasives, built raised beds for children’s gardens, and assembled furniture for the organization’s classrooms. “Having the opportunity to volunteer at Stratford Ecological Center alongside so many colleagues was an amazing experience,” said Mike Stull, consultant, internal communications business partner. “Opportunities like this make me proud to work for Cardinal Health.”

Also in Central Ohio, our Women’s Impact Network (WIN) Employee Resource Group (ERG) partnered with the nonprofit Dress for Success, an organization that provides women with a network of support, professional attire, and tools to thrive at work, to host a clothing drive. “We collected a lot of gently used clothing, shoes and other items to donate; Dress for Success will give these to its clients, so the women have clothing suitable for interviews and work,” said Cari Woods, WIN member and a director with the Presource Solutions business.

Employees across Cardinal Health Australia cleaned up beaches and parks as participants in Clean Up Australia Day, Australia’s largest community-based environmental event that focuses on preventing litter and removing trash that’s already accumulated.

In the Philippines, hundreds of employees joined in to help underserved community members, providing meals and healthy snacks to elementary school students, visiting the elderly and teaching low-income stay-at-home moms how to sew – a skill they can use to generate income.

In Dublin, Ireland, colleagues volunteered their time to build 35 simple water filters that will be sent to underserved communities without access to safe water. Each water filter can provide 12 people with clean water for up to 10 years. Tanja Gorman, VP, International Supply Chain, said, “Even the simplest gesture can have a positive impact on the communities we work with. Access to clean water is a basic need, and we are proud to play a role in facilitating that access.”

Frontline employees in distribution centers across the U.S. built bee habitats in support of local bee populations while celebrating the important role these pollinators play in our food system and overall environment. And in Canada, employees participated in litter cleanup outside their facilities and joined in a guided meditation to help them connect more closely with the natural environment.

“We’re grateful to all of our colleagues who engage in volunteerism,” Cannon said. “Many of these volunteers give back year-round, and our company and our communities are stronger for their commitment.”