

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2009 Tech Citizenship honoree: Cisco Systems Inc.
Since Cisco Systems Inc. is all about connecting devices to each other and the Internet, and therefore connecting people to the world, it makes sense for the company to help connect its employees with people and organizations who need help.
“The mission of Cisco Community Relations is to ingrain Cisco’s company talent and assets into the fabric of the communities where Cisco has a major presence,” said Richard Power, community relations manager of New England.
One of those local connections was a pair of two-year-long Habitat for Humanity initiatives, in which more than 500 Cisco employees volunteered in projects in Bedford and Westford. The Boxborough Cisco facility also has a long-standing relationship with “Cross Roads for Kids” and employees work to open and close the camp annually.
“We mobilize employee volunteers and bring Cisco’s longstanding ‘Giving Back’ vision to life at the local level,” Powers said. “By building strong relationships locally, we play an active role in making each region a great place to live, work, play and learn.”
Citizenship facts
Total cash contributions in New England in 2008: $461,653
Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2008: 2,200
In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2008: $263,432
Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2008: City Year, Boston; May Institute Inc., Randolph; Community Teamwork, Lowell; Foundation Strategy Group, Boston; Research Institute for Learning & Development, Lexington; Education Collaborative Greater Boston; Habitat for Humanity Project - Lowell.
Interesting philanthropic activities: Cisco’s Annual Hunger Relief Campaign raised more than $55,000 last year for the needy by Cisco employees for several nonprofits via Cisco’s online nonprofits giving tool; donations are then matched by the Cisco Foundation and the John Morgridge Foundation, named for a former Cisco CEO.






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