Empower Employees to be active in their communities

Empower Employees to be active in their communities

At Microsoft Canada, our employees are the heart and soul of the Microsoft community. It is no surprise then that our employees also want to play an active role in the communities they live in. he I Volunteer element of the I CAN program supports and encourages Microsoft Canada employees who wish to contribute their talents and time to make a difference in their communities. In response to employee commitment to the community, the 40-hour volunteer program was established, providing them with the opportunity to volunteer during regular Microsoft hours.

Microsoft Volunteers Hit the Slopes for Stay in School Ski Day

On March 4th, 2005, Microsoft Canada participated in the 14th annual Stay in School Ski Day at the Beautiful Nakiska Ski Resort in Calgary, Alberta. The Calgary Educational Partnership Foundation established this event to partner individual students with business leaders from the community. These leaders act as mentors, using the fun filled day of fresh air and skiing to promote the important principles behind staying in school. Over 650 students, mentors, and Microsoft volunteers braved the elements to help make this day a fantastic success.

After the ski day was complete, the students were encouraged to enter an essay contest where they were asked to complete the following question: "My ski day experience taught me..." The winning essay, by Josh Bagby of Bishop Kidd Junior High School, clearly demonstrated how staying in school can provide countless opportunities - from friends and fun, to valuable work skills and lifelong learning opportunities. He is the proud winner of an Xbox and games for a job well done. Everyone who participated received a notepad and pen and the two runners-up received a bag, notebook, Microsoft mouse, and origami set.

Winner: Josh Bagby - Bishop Kidd Junior High School
My name is Josh Bagby and I was one of the privileged students who were invited to the "Stay in School Ski Trip." I think I was very lucky to be picked for the ski trip out of the many other teenagers in my school. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would recommend this experience to everyone.

I had a great mentor. His name was Deshawn; we had a lot of fun during the "Stay in School Ski Trip." Deshawn was a great skier and he encouraged me so much that I learned how to ski in an extremely short amount of time. Even though my mentor was an excellent skier, it was his encouraging words that made him such a great mentor. I fell a lot and I liked how he didn't get frustrated with me.

Deshawn was extremely encouraging by what he said. He told me that falling down is one of the things you need to learn about skiing. He kept reminding me to always get right back up and try again. What Deshawn said reminded me of life. His most encouraging words would probably be: if you started something and you're real good at it, you should keep at it, and you might turn it into something great.

Runner-Up: Kristy North Peigan - Our Lady of the Assumption School
I really enjoyed myself during this day of skiing. It was such a great opportunity. What I liked most about this day was that I was able to learn and have fun, the beautiful view, and most of all the company of others. These are one of the top reasons why I enjoyed this day.

When I went on this trip, I expected a lot from it, and my expectations were met. It was a great, fun day, I was able to try something new and challenge myself. I have never been to a mountain to ski, but now I have and I am so thankful for this chance. In my culture I have learned to be thankful and to be glad for the entire creator has blessed me with. I also learned so much from the instructors. They were very nice.

I also couldn't help but be surprised on how spectacular the view was. Its one thing to look at mountains but a whole different thing to be on one. I felt like I was on top of the world. During the day I just had to admire the location and look at each mountain and how each one was unique and very different. People are also unique and very different too. Something in each of us makes us different and we must respect that and respect nature. We must also recognize that nature could be a home to a number and variety of animals and vegetation. The view was unbelievable.

What I loved the most about the day, other then skiing, was the fact I could meet new people and get to know our instructors. The time we spent together was fun; I met a great instructor named Tracey. She was patient with me when I was having trouble and taught me ways to control my speed and how to move and switch directions while skiing. Even though at times I was doubtful and even nervous, she supported me and cheered me on. Now I am a better skier thanks to her. Someday I would like to meet her again.

I have tried my best to explain in words my experience of this ski day. Some feelings are too complicated to express in words. I have so many other thoughts and feelings about this day. So I have tried to capture how much I enjoyed the fun and learning experience, the fantastic view, and the new people I met, how many other chances do you get to spend a day like this? Thank you for this day, which I thought was very well organized. I feel very special.

Runner-Up: Christina Jones - Simon Fraser Junior High
My ski day experience taught me to never give up. When I fell off my skis my mentor helped me right back up. I put my skis back on and continued my adventure. I went on the Silver chair lift for the first time. It was scary at first but I did not give up.

Why is it important to stay in school you may ask, well at school you learn many things. Not just math and science etc., but life skills, you learn to socialize with other people. School gives you the knowledge to get a jump start into a career to start you life!

It is important to stay in school because without an education, you won't get very far in life. You need to know the basic life skills to survive in this world, unless your planning to work at a fast food restaurant it's best to stay in school!

Microsoft Canada Scores a $100,000 Goal for Youth

In the four seasons since its founding, the Microsoft I CAN Charity Hockey Program has raised over $100,000 for youth-focused charities! Microsoft's hockey team challenges business partners and customers who make generous contributions to face off in competitive matches. Funds generated benefit I CAN community partners The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Ability Online, further affirming Microsoft's I CAN commitment to both remarkable charities. These organizations realize I CAN's commitment to empower Canadian children and youth to realize their potential.

This season, the team will face off against the following giving supporters: Allstream, RBC, HP, Cyberplex, CIM, Dell, GHI, Navantis, Scotia Bank, and Telus. The highlight of this season is sure to be the appearance of youth from Ability Online and The Boys and Girls Clubs, who will come out to cheer on the teams at several games. Microsoft Canada wishes to thank all of its partners for their kind contributions; gifts that are making a difference in the lives of young Canadians.

The Charity Hockey program was founded 5 years ago by Microsoft employees who wanted to make a positive difference in their community.

Raise a Reader

The goal of the CanWest Raise a Reader Campaign is to drive awareness and help raise money in support of children's literacy across Canada. For the second year in a row, Microsoft Canada was proud to be a part of such a fantastic program. Each region tackled a busy street corner within their downtown core and distributed newspapers to those who pledged a donation. In total each region together raised $4,198.25.

Along with their sponsorship, Microsoft Canada also donates over $100,000 worth of software to be distributed to a variety of literacy organizations all across the country.

For more information about this program please visit the Raise a Reader website at http://www.canada.com/national/features/raiseareader/index.html

Gordonridge Boys and Girls Club Renovation Day

Congratulations to the Enterprise and Partner Sales team, and the Marketing team for rolling up their sleeves and making a difference at the Gordonridge Boys and Girls Club in Scarborough.

Boys and Girls Clubs Wonderland Day

On Friday September 3rd, 16 SMS&P employees escorted 40 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre/Gordon Ridge Unit to Canada's Wonderland for a day of fun and games! Each member of the SMS&P group had the opportunity to spend the day with 2-3 kids ranging in age from 5-11. Teresa Deveaux, Business Planning Manager, said that she and Laura Robinson, Partner Development Manager, had the great fortune of spending the day with "five of the most charming kids she has ever met!" They explored the park and all it's adventuresome rides including, but not limited to, flying saucers, pirate ships, bumper cars, elevated swings, race cars, and of course the water park to beat the heat!

As the day came to an end Teresa Deveaux summarized what the day meant to her and her team. "The day ended around 3pm when we walked our charges back to the bus. Laura told the group that they had been "really good kids" and one of the kids replied "you were really good adults too." We were sad to see them go but Laura and I have already decided that we're doing it again next year. I highly recommend that other departments consider using their "I volunteer" benefit to take kids to Canada's Wonderland next summer... it makes you feel like a "really good adult."

The Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club Gets a Fresh New Look!

The Microsoft Customer Relationship Management and Marketing Communications group teamed up with their agency groups, Wunderman and MacLaren McCann, to revitalize the gymnasium at a local Boys and Girls Club. The group worked hard to refurbish the gymnasium bleachers with a new coat of paint. What was a combination dark grey and brown is now a vibrant Leaf's blue with accents of Canadien's red! This philanthropic effort benefited all involved because the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club received a needed restoration and what a great team building experience it was for the participating teams!

Before

After

Microsoft Canada employees spruce up Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Boys and Girls Club

Paint brushes and rollers were flying this week as the Human Resources team from Microsoft Canada got together at the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Boys and Girls Club near the Danforth to put their I CAN volunteer hours to fabulous use. They were a relatively small, but incredibly mighty team that was not daunted by the size of the room (apparently about "as big as an Olympic gymnasium!") and the task ahead of them. Before the end of the day, the club had fresh coat of paint to make things a little brighter for the 173 children and youth that access the club on a regular basis.

Microsoft Canada employees in the Montreal office spruce up Camp de Vacances

During the weekend of May 3, 2003, this group of Microsoft Canada employees traded their laptops and cell phones for saws, hammers and nails. They worked hard to spruce up the battered buildings of Camp de Vacances, which enables inner city children to spend a bit of time away from downtown Montreal.

"I just wanted to convey my thanks to the merry bunch of Microsoft Montreal employees who came and helped out this weekend in support of our non-profit organisation," said André J. Courchesne Directeur- Trésorier, Camp de Vacances Lac Simon. "This was a great way to participate in the the National Volunteering week and a most welcome contribution to our humble organisation."

Charles Beauregard, Alexis Gouslisty, Benoit Théroux, Jacques Simard, Simon Bastien (Michel Lemay's nephew) and Michel Lemay.

Microsoft Canada employees spruce up Gerrard Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club

The paint brushes and rollers were flying yesterday as more than 20 Microsoft Canada employees got together at the Gerrard Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club in Regent Park and put their I CAN volunteer hours to fabulous use. In record time, the club took on a fresh coat of paint to make things a little brighter for the 150 children and youth that access the club daily.

Jason Bartlett Renovates Orphanage in Bulgaria

Jason Bartlett, who works with the Premier Support Services team, chose to use his 40 hours of Microsoft Canada sponsored volunteer time to organize the renovation of an orphanage in Kazanlak, Bulgaria.

In Jason's words...
My family and I went to improve to the best of our ability the orphanage for the 120 children that live and attend school there, but we also went to spend time and get to know these children. Each morning we sanded, painted, scraped and cleaned while the plumbers and electricians repaired pipes and restored lighting to once dark rooms. The nights were cold initially until we were able to repair the building's many broken windows. We needed to make the place as air tight as possible because they typically run out of money for heating oil at some point during each winter.

In the afternoons, we played soccer and taught them to play baseball, using an old fencepost for a bat and hastily bought dollar-store baseballs. It was amazing to us that if one child took off his or her half-soled shoes or coat to join in a game, another child puts them on and goes on his or her merry way - that's just the way it works. Although this has been somewhat alleviated by the 10 boxes of winter clothes, soccer jerseys, shoes and toys that Microsoft Canada employees donated.

I will never be able to accurately describe how it warms your heart when these kids look you in the eye, smile, grab your shirt and pull you across the soccer field running and laughing - each wanting to tell you something different in Bulgarian. As most have little or no family, each one of them covets attention. At times it was hard being there, but I sleep better knowing that we were able to spend a week making their lives and living conditions a little bit better.

Sophie Godon @ Camp Sunshine

In Sophie's words...
I grew up spending most of my summers at camps. I am thankful for that for two reasons. First, these camps were all English and have greatly contributed to my bilingualism and career as manager of the Translation Services department. Second - and most important - those camps were the highlight of my childhood. The friendships, experiences, discoveries, and memories one creates at summer camp last a lifetime.

Camps specializing in caring for children with illness provide an even bigger form of escape. Those campers leave, for a short period of time, a life of doctors, painful treatments, regular hospital visits, and the constant look of worry in their parents' eyes. I currently volunteer at such a special camp.

Camp Sunshine is a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. The camp nurtures the child who faces illness, but also welcomes siblings (who are often unintentionally "neglected") and the parents as well. The families get to spend a week participating in numerous fun activities and they also get to meet people who face similar challenges. There is no charge to attend because the camp is sponsored by numerous companies and is also supported by fundraising revenue.

Our new I Volunteer program is allowing me to pursue my commitment to Camp Sunshine and its special people, outside of my vacation time. Although I would have kept on volunteering at camp without it, this program makes me proud to work for a company that recognizes the importance of the community and of our taking time to help one another. Many lives will be changed because of it, both on the giving and receiving end. There is such joy that comes from helping others!