CSR Snapshot: Hong Kong Office Visits Ronald McDonald House

Synergy’s CSR Snapshot features some of the most recent corporate social responsibility activities we’ve undertaken to make a positive impact in our communities.

What was the activity?
On Nov. 2, a group from our Hong Kong office spent an afternoon visiting seriously ill children at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hong Kong. This was our first visit, but earlier this year we made a donation of over HK$21,550 to the charity by raising funds from an office sale of old computer and phone equipment to our employees.

What organization did the activity support?
Ronald McDonald House Charities is a global nonprofit with locations in more than 64 countries that has the McDonald’s restaurant chain as its largest corporate sponsor. This organization provides a home away from home for families whose children are hospitalized so families can more easily stay close to their loved ones during this critical time. The Ronald McDonald House in Hong Kong offers 23 family units, a common kitchen, library, study room, play area, dining area, and garden, as well as an isolation suite specially designed for families and post-bone-marrow transplant child patients.

How many Syniverse employees participated?
Eight employees participated in the visit. The visit was organized by our Employee Association, a group responsible for leading charitable and extracurricular activities in communities where Syniverse offices are located. Each year, many Syniverse Employee Associations around the world identify charitable organizations in their local areas, and then get the input of the office’s employees to select a few charities that the office would like to support.

What did the Syniverse team do?
We spent an afternoon visiting with about 50 children and trying to brighten their day. We found out about their lives, told them about ours, served them tea and snacks, worked on some crafts, and gave some gifts to some children to ill to be able to participate in the other activities. The staff at the Ronald McDonald House also gave us a tour of the facility and explained how charitable contributions help support ill children and their families.

 

What was the most rewarding part of this activity?
Being inspired by the courage and hope of children facing serious illness and long-term treatment. Despite the condition that many were in, the children were amazingly positive about their future and extremely warm and personable to us. We could see that our visit helped energize them with a little joy and optimism. It was rewarding to see them respond, and we will never forget our time with them. Our Employee Association looks forward to building on this visit with similar activities where we can help make a difference in people’s lives.