RYE BROOK, N.Y. (Feb. 9, 2017)—Employees from Xylem logged more than 21,000 volunteer hours in 2016 in activities aimed at providing and protecting safe water resources and educating people about water, sanitation and hygiene, according to a statement from the company.
Xylem Watermark, its corporate citizenship platform, last year launched a service-focused employee engagement program in support of this mission with a goal of logging 100,000 volunteer hours in three years.
“Focusing on employee engagement through service has helped to foster a stronger connection between our colleagues around the world and Xylem Watermark,” said Colin Sabol, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Xylem Watermark Committee. “It has built energy throughout the company and gives employees opportunities feel involved with something bigger and connect with water issues in the communities where they live and work.”
Through more than 455 water-related volunteer activities, in conjunction with local community organizations and global nonprofit partners, more than 3,700 colleagues from 86 offices across 35 countries built water towers, tested water sources, maintained water sheds, and educated students and communities about water, sanitation and hygiene issues, Xylem said.
Hundreds of employees participated in Walk for Water events to better understand the time and burden it takes for women and children in communities without access to clean drinking water to provide safe water for their families.
Xylem launched its inaugural Global Month of Service in October. During this time, employees worked with local nonprofit organizations committed to water-related issues in their communities to clean and restore waterways, plant vegetation to protect shorelines from erosion and salinization, and teach students about global water issues. In total, Xylem colleagues logged more than 7,200 hours in one month.