News Desk
DUBAI: Over 800 employee volunteers participated in Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Give & Gain 2020,which was held virtually from 23rd April to 21st May for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on digital skills and activities involving youth, the elderly and blue-collar workers.
The initiative attracted record participation as volunteers dedicated 15,000 hours across projects benefitting more than 50,000 individuals. Held during the holy month of Ramadan, the month-long event was organised for the tenth consecutive year as part of the Chamber’s Engage Dubai corporate volunteering programme.
A total of 46 organisations, 24 corporate members and 22 community partners participated in this year’s volunteering activities, which included digital life skills sessions for children, learning and development webinars for youth, robotics and arts workshops, fitness classes and sessions covering topics such as hygiene, recycling and protecting the environment.
For his part, Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director of the Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector at Dubai Chamber, said that the strong interest and participation in the initiative reflected a growing awareness of the benefits of corporate volunteering, and a keenness among businesses to support their communities impacted by the Covid-19 situation.
“Give & Gain is Dubai Chamber’s flagship corporate volunteering initiative that creates rewarding opportunities for employees to spend their working hours supporting a good cause, making it a win-win situation for community, company and employees,” he added.
Launched in 2008 by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business, ENGAGE Dubai is a programme which brings together businesses and community organisations in Dubai to increase the quality and amount of employee community engagement in their local communities.