Convergys Philippines won a Gold Anvil for its employee-driven philanthropy called “Give A Bag of Hope” (GABOH) Year 3, at the recently held 53rd Anvil Awards.
It is the 2nd consecutive year for the company to be recognized in the category “Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis – Community Development.”
From left: Rochelle Gamboa, PRSP Vice President-Internal; Bong Osorio, PRSP Ex-Officio; Rizelle Bernales, Convergys Associate for Brand Marketing receiving the award for the company; Owen Camayo, Chairman of the 53rd Anvil Awards.
On GABOH’s 3rd year in 2017, more than 42,000 employees from Convergys’ 34 sites nationwide came together to donate a portion of their own salaries, raising Php 18 Million in 3 months, and generating 35,000 bags complete with books and school supplies as a result. The employees also distributed the bags to schoolkids in over 30 partner public schools and communities across the country.
That same year, Convergys further extended GABOH’s impact by partnering with social enterprises Bag943 and Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, providing livelihood to disadvantaged individuals. Bag943 workers produced the bags, while Tahanang Walang Hagdanan’s persons-with-disabilities (PWDs) produced pencil cases and packed the bags with assorted school supplies.
Beyond the annual increase in participation and money raised, the entirely employee-driven GABOH has successfully grown and expanded its contributions throughout its three-year run. "Since we started Give A Bag Of Hope in 2015, our goal has always been to help children have a fighting chance at their education, thereby giving them hope to pursue a brighter future. As the program continued to expand, such as the inclusion of books and storytelling to promote literacy on Year 2, and sourcing the bags and supplies from organizations that provide employment to the marginalized on Year 3, we are able to spread hope to more members of society. We are grateful to our employees for consistently demonstrating the value of ‘Serving the Community,’ and look forward to continuing this successful program,” said Ivic Mueco, Convergys President for Asia-Pacific.
