“If we do well, we must also do something to help others in society.” This is just one of the many teachings of the late Henry Sy, Sr., or more affectionately known as Tatang, the founder of SM.
This year, SM Retail Inc celebrated this special month by giving back through in store promotions and employee volunteerism activities. One such activity is “Give Back Days” where volunteer employees from 70 SM Store branches and the head office participate in school-based farming and distribution of its Donate A Book proceeds during their rest day.
Each group of volunteer employees selected a school or community beneficiary near the store branch. Branches can tap existing partner organizations of SM Store or partner with SM Foundation Schools near the branch.
The Universidad of Manila, one of SM’s partner schools, served as the venue for the pioneering employee volunteer program where employees from SM Store Manila and SM Store Quiapo turned over book donations to be distributed to its adopted communities.
“Anchored on our commitment to our partners and communities, the Give Back Days program will institutionalize giving back and volunteering as an ongoing nationwide initiative during Super month which happens during October. This is the biggest month for SM during which we celebrate our founder Tatang Henry Sy. Sr. and his legacy of giving back,” said Catherine S. Ileto, VP for Corporate Communications of SM Retail Inc.
“We are excited that the Universidad de Manila is one of our partner schools for this pioneering employee volunteer program. We also salute our employees from SM Store Manila and SM Store Quiapo who chose to give their time and volunteer today,” she added.
Volunteerism has long been part of the DNA of every member of the SM community. This is why SM was able to activate the Give Back Days initiative almost immediately and efficiently across the country.
SM also has quarterly corporate social responsibility programs where employees connect with SM Store school and community beneficiaries. SM has also been actively participating in the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela and tree-planting activities.
“This is just the start of many Give Back Days in the years to come and SM will remain a platform where employees, customers, and communities come together to give back,” Ileto added.