Delivering hope to the doorsteps of the hungry: TIers gave back on #GivingTuesday
For the elderly, disabled and home-bound, a warm hand-delivered meal can be life-changing. That’s why on Tuesday, Dec. 1, about 400 TI employees volunteered with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD), VNA North Texas and Collin County Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 1,100 warm meals to the elderly and home-bound across the Dallas area.
This event marked the third in UWMD’s Unite for Change Community Impact Series, planned to coincide with #GivingTuesday, a global social media initiative on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving dedicated to giving back.
Volunteers from two TI sites in Dallas and Plano prepare to drive and deliver warm meals.
For TIers Melanie Sinclair, Carmen Brito and Ayesha Mayhugh, delivering meals before the holidays has become an annual tradition. Despite this being the third straight year to take part in the program, the three were still surprised at how emotional volunteering could be. They said that they’re not just delivering a meal, they’re delivering hope.
TIers Carmen Brito (middle) and Ayesha Mayhugh (right) delivered a warm meal to a disabled veteran in Dallas.
“It’s more than a meal. We’re brightening their day,” said Ayesha Mayhugh, Worldwide Analog University Manager. “A lot of these folks have not had any human contact for days, and they’re glad just to have someone to talk to.”
David Thomas, Vice President of Worldwide Facilities, turned the project into not only a fun volunteer opportunity, but also a useful team-building activity. After learning about the need for volunteers, David and his leadership team decided to give back during the United Way campaign as a team.
“Delivering meals was the perfect opportunity for our team because this event required lots of coordination – a skill our team uses every day in the Facilities organization,” said David. “We were able to use those skills for a greater cause while also developing a deeper connection with United Way through volunteering.”
The Worldwide Facilities Leadership Team helped unload meals for delivery by TI volunteers.
All 13 members of David’s team volunteered together and then spent the second half of the day planning for 2016 on how they can contribute to a better TI.
“I’ve worked at TI now for 17 years,” said Ayesha Mayhugh. “We’re a fast-paced, top semiconductor company with a culture of strong community involvement. TIer’s give back not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Working for a company that cares about giving back makes TI a great place to work. In my current role with the TI’s University program, I understand first-hand that potential employees, especially students, care about a company that cares about others.”
At the TI Spring Creek campus in Plano, more than 26 teams made up of 80 volunteers delivered meals north of Dallas in Collin County.
“Texas has the seventh highest rate of hunger among seniors in the nation. We could not have made an impact without each of the volunteers who came,” said Ellen Barker, chief information officer. We expect to deliver at least 220 meals today just from this site alone.”
“I think that volunteers left grateful for the opportunity to bring a smile to someone’s face and be a part of something greater than themselves. By givingback with our time, we canhelp change lives for the better and build stronger communities here in North Texas,” said Terri Grosh, TI worldwide employee engagement manager. “TI volunteers are not only investing with their hands and hearts today but also sharing our experiences online to encourage others to join us in giving back.”
