Amazon India employees are gearing up for Global Month of Volunteering, an annual initiative that celebrates giving back and getting further involved in the communities where they live and work. GMV 2023 is being hosted from September 1-30 to provide opportunities for over one lakh employees at Amazon India to volunteer alongside their peers, adding to the company’s efforts to support its local communities throughout the year.
Amazon has partnered with more than 10 local non-profit organisations to curate over a 100 meaningful volunteering activities across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru.
Around the world, Amazon employees volunteer in a variety of ways, partnering with hundreds of community organisations on a range of interventions, from education and disaster relief to environment and women empowerment.
8,400+ Amazonians volunteered in GMV 2022
GMV 2023 is set to be bigger than GMV 2022 where 8,400+ Amazonians in India signed up for 78 volunteering events in schools, communities and shelter homes across the country. India saw one of the highest volunteer participations among Amazon’s offices globally.
While we have always known that our employees are keen to give back, we were still astounded by the number of Amazonians volunteered for GMV 2022 which laid the foundation for volunteering at Amazon. I’m incredibly proud of how far the program has come and how Amazonians are leading their own volunteer efforts.
”I am very excited about GMV 2023, and have signed up to participate in various opportunities including packing ration kits for disaster relief, along with many other business leaders. I am grateful for this opportunity to collectively make a meaningful difference to the communities around us,” Anita added. Amazon contributed more than $450 million in cash donations and sponsorships to hundreds of organizations around the world last year.
Here are four ways Amazon employees will be coming together during GMV:
- Support disaster relief efforts. Volunteers across Amazon offices in Europe, India, and the U.S. will assemble non-perishable meal kits to meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals, families, and communities.
- Eliminate barriers to learning. Amazon employees will create educational cards to help kids learn better, fill backpacks with joy and more to support educational opportunities and equitable outcomes for children from underserved communities.
- Care for her. Women empowerment is one of the key initiatives of GMV. Volunteers will engage in multiple activities including supporting women’s health by packing essential hygiene supplies and conducting hands on banking workshop for women beneficiaries.
- Tackle community sustainability challenges. From planting trees and making seed balls to restoring coastal beauty through beach clean-up efforts, Amazon volunteers will contribute to community efforts to improve tree canopy cover and support a greener, cleaner environment.
Here are 3 large volunteering projects Amazonians will be coming together during the GMV
1. Run for Change
‘Run for Change’ – a five-kilometer run joined by thousands of Amazonians, and headlined by actor and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman, will be the flagship event for this year’s GMV. The run will be held in Hyderabad on September 9, 2023 and will be open for employees and families. Amazon will donate a school kit for every 2.5 kms run and will plant a sapling for every kilometer completed.
2. Pack a Ration kit
One of the most impactful events of the GMV is the "Pack-a-ration kit" initiative. This involves assembling non-perishable meal kits that would be distributed in calamity-hit regions by Amazon's disaster relief team.
3. Make a wish come true
Amazon employees can make an underprivileged child's wish come true by participating in this GMV program. The program provides a list of wishes from children in shelter homes, orphanages, and special schools across India. Employees can choose a wish and drop the item off at designated locations in Amazon buildings. Amazon will ensure that the item reaches the child. This is a great way to give back to the community and put a smile on a child's face.
Volunteering: a two-way street
Volunteers have realised that ‘giving’ is never a one-way street, you receive as much as you give. A global study on volunteering and mental health showed that those who volunteered often experienced better mental health and that volunteering made them happier human beings.
“Volunteering provides opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, build relationships, and expand social networks. It can create a sense of community and belonging, fostering a supportive environment. It offers a chance to engage in activities that are personally rewarding and create a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.” Nishith Shukla, an Amazonian, who volunteered for GMV in 2022.
