Global Give Back: Rackers Kick-Off Our Annual Corporate Month of Giving
by Amanda Halbritter, Senior Global Content Marketer, Rackspace Technology
A key component of Fanatical Experience™ is Compassion. We’re one team doing the right thing for our customers, communities, and each other. During the month of April, Rackers have the opportunity to participate in Global Give Back, which focuses on supporting our communities through volunteer service and financial giving throughout the month of April.
Rackspace Technology® has set a goal to donate $10,000 to UNICEF. In addition to UNICEF’s ongoing work in more than 190 countries to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, UNICEF and partners currently are on the ground in Ukraine, supporting children and families in desperate need of safety, stability, and protection.
To get us to our goal, Rackspace Technology will donate $1 (up to $3 per Racker) for every Racker that participates in one or multiple of the following activities throughout the month:
- Participate and log volunteer time.
- Donate to UNICEF or ANY charity through our online giving platform powered by Benevity.
- Complete our April Wellbeing Challenge, which harnesses the physical benefits that accompany doing good for others.
We’ve also opened the opportunities to volunteer via virtual events with organizations like Missing Maps, Be My Eyes, and Project Website, to name a few.
“When we work together, we can achieve amazing results,” said Lindsey Stich, Employee Experience Program Manager, and leader of the Global Give Back initiative. “To create stronger global connections and maximize our Racker impact, we even asked people leaders and managers to organize one-hour volunteer events for their teams this month.”
Rack Gives Back
From the very early days, our Rack Gives Back program has given Rackers across the world an opportunity to come together, expand their network, and actively contribute to various volunteering events.
For nearly 20 years, Rackers have nurtured a robust commitment to our customers, communities, and each other. Our commitment to social responsibility runs deep — from our internal work to our passion for diversity, inclusion, and belonging, to our financial and volunteer support of our communities, and the commitment of Rackspace Technology leadership to engage, enrich, and develop every Racker to their maximum potential.
Our Rack Gives Back program enables all Rackers to share Fanatical Experience™ with the communities in which we live, work, and play. Every year, Rackspace Technology grants each Racker a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer time off as part of their benefits.
“We sincerely believe giving back is not only good for the communities in which we live, but it also benefits our employees’ physical and mental health,” said PJ Lovejoy, Manager of Employee Experience. “Keeping our Rackers active, engaged, and moving also helps reduce stress while doing good in the world.”
The 40-Hour Club
Every year each Racker receives a minimum of 40 hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) as part of their benefits package. Volunteer Time Off is for volunteering at organizations and events Rackers care about, not just Rackspace Technology-sponsored events. Rackers can volunteer as a group or individually or even get their families or children involved. We believe giving back is for everyone!
The 40-hour club is an internal initiative that recognizes and celebrates Rackers committed to using and logging their entire VTO allotment throughout the year. Last year, more than 170 Rackers worldwide used their 40 hours to be of service in their communities.
“One of the things I love about having 40 hours of volunteer time off is that I have the flexibility to heavily involve myself in events like the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair,” said Malia Canann, a Rackspace Technology Researcher and 40-Hour Club member. “I’ve volunteered with them for three years now, by being a judge for Elementary and Junior-level projects. This includes collaborating with other experts and encouraging kids’ interests in pursuing STEM.”
From COVID relief to volunteering at schools to cleaning mountain trails, Rackers stepped up to deliver Fanatical Experience for their communities last year. In fact, throughout 2021, our global army of Rackers logged more than 26,000 hours of VTO combined.
And last year, through volunteerism, charitable contributions, and the mission of the Rackspace Foundation, Rackers raised more than $25k in support of pandemic relief efforts.
Our Global Give Back is in full swing, and we can’t wait to see all the fantastic things Rackers do to move Rackspace Technology, our communities, and the world forward.
Learn more about our place-based approach to community investment by downloading our Environmental, Social, and Governance Report.
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