Full Report
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August 7, 2010, was an unusual Saturday for a group of Herman Miller employees in Bangalore. After 10 days of collecting donations and a 30-minute drive, the team arrived at the Ashraya Orphanage. Fourteen kids greeted them, told them their names, one by one, and continued with "all the innocent things you can think of," in the words of Chanda Gohrani. The Herman Miller team was so touched by the example of a volunteer music teacher at the orphanage that several of them signed up to teach classes every weekend. This is what we mean by community service.
We Care
For the fourteenth year, Herman Miller and the architecture and design community volunteered in "We Care"—a day of creativity and craft-making for underprivileged children in 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
Women for Women International
Nearly 20 women volunteered for a fourth year with Women for Women International, an organization that addresses "the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments."
Habitat for Humanity
Over the past six years, Herman Miller volunteers have helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity. This year's LEED-rated home for a family of three has reported gas and electric bills totaling $30 per month. And with our teams of volunteers, a house was built in record time—8 business days!
Japan Relief
In response to the Japan earthquake, 134 employees throughout the company contributed nearly $16,000. This was matched with $15,000 from the Herman Miller Foundation. When combined with an initial gift of $10,000, as well as $9,000 in proceeds from the sale of product on our eCommerce site, the total amount available to assist victims of this disaster was approximately $50,000. In addition, colleagues throughout Asia auctioned off crafts by designers to raise funds for victims of the earthquake.
Bath Rugby Community Foundation
Herman Miller in the U.K. supports the Bath Rugby Community Foundation's Business Enterprise Project, which offers local school children the chance to improve their learning skills and to find out more about how businesses work. In addition to funding the program, Herman Miller employees also support it as volunteer classroom assistants and gives them the opportunity to discuss different aspects of Herman Miller's business with the kids.
A few additional organizations and causes we supported this past year:
Employees in Bangalore, India planted 140 trees across three streets in one day United Way (Greater Ottawa County) Day of Caring Chattahoochee River cleanup "Ride for Kids" to benefit children with brain cancer "Corporate Challenge" 5K walk/run to benefit the Atlanta Food Bank "The Strong Legs Run" 5K for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta "Rebuilding Together"—Eighth annual sponsorship of a needy home repaired and rehabilitated with the goal of leaving the home warm, safe, and dry.