2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges with people around the world struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. But Boeing employees rose to the challenge to help those in need in their communities donating more than $33 million to charitable causes worldwide. Over the last five years, total employee giving has surpassed $168 million.

With careful adherence to both Boeing and local safety requirements, employees were still able to volunteer an impressive 181,518 hours this year—much of it through virtual volunteering.

“I love that Boeing is so involved in the community,” said Scott Evans, a systems engineer on the F-22 program and frequent volunteer. “I do think it’s awesome that Boeing is able to get so many people out there in our communities making a difference.” 

Evans and his family, along with other Boeing employees and community volunteers, helped pick up trash and other discarded household items like mattresses and furniture in a St. Louis neighborhood this summer. 

“It feels good to help others,” he said. “We’re all in this together.”

Local chapters of the Employees Community Fund of Boeing (ECF) also made an impact this year, investing more than $6 million in local communities — $1.1 million of that went to COVID relief.

“It was clear to me as I helped fill trunks with fresh produce, eggs, nonperishable items…that many were likely living in their cars, but even more were probably receiving this kind of help for the first time,” said Tamika Lang, Boeing Global Engagement manager, who volunteered at a food distribution event benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in California. “It made me proud to be a Boeing employee and an ECF donor.”

Employee giving is an important part of Boeing’s holistic approach to community investment. Which is why the company announced it was opening up gift match eligibility to more than 66,000 new charitable organizations globally.

Now, all eligible Boeing employees can select from a wide array of charitable organizations, including The Prince’s Trust, FIRST Robotics Canada, Save the Children International, World Food Programme, A.S.T.C. Science World Society, Hand In Hand International and Veterans Transition Network.

“It just sent chills down my spine thinking about how many people we can help through this program,” said Amanda Drake, plastic technician, Boeing Canada Winnipeg. “We can expand our impact to even more areas of our community and the organizations that I have always wanted to do more for. It is especially important this year, when we know just how badly some groups are impacted by the pandemic.”

As part of the industry-leading gift-match program, employees’ eligible monetary donations and volunteer time are matched dollar-for-dollar up to USD 10,000 per employee per year.

“Our support of these global charitable partners is now more important than ever,” said Cheri Carter, vice president of Boeing Global Engagement. “Together with our generous employees, we continue our mission to work toward a better world for everyone.”

By Rachel Ayres and Jason Capeheart