Meritor Inc.’s recent first Global Service Day impacted the lives of women and families around the world through a variety of efforts, including donations to shelters and housing organizations, and food and clothing donations to local organizations. The company says the event reinforces its commitment to diversity initiatives and social responsibility in the communities it serves and was led by Meritor’s Women’s Business Resource Group, and involved thousands of Meritor employees worldwide supporting 16 local charities in four countries on three continents.
“Global Service Day was developed to aid charities around the world that support women or women’s issues,” says Barbara Novak, Meritor vice president and corporate secretary, who also serves as the executive sponsor of the Meritor’s Women Business Resource Group. “It showcases the diverse way that common societal issues are addressed on a local basis. Meritor employees are investing in their local communities and improving the quality of life through their volunteer service.”
Among the activities held on Global Service Day were:
• Food and funds donated to a domestic violence shelter in Ontario, Canada;
• Helping to build homes for needy families in Franklin, Ky.;
• Hand-making soap to donate to the needy in Shanghai, China; and
• Providing financial support for families of children with cancer in Osasco, Brazil.
Recently, Meritor launched the “Power of Volunteering” employee volunteer initiative to achieve 40,000 hours of employee community service by 2020. Meritor says Global Service Day is one way the company is helping to promote and achieve this goal.
