Building connections and community: AWS employees share their volunteering experiences

It is a pleasure for us to take part in contributing to the community. Through painting and other aesthetic upgrades for a local school, we can help improve the environment for children and contribute to better focus at school. We had a great experience in transforming a local school at Narayanapura, Bengaluru. The Global Month of Volunteering and Give Hub has given us an opportunity to experience personal happiness from giving back and joining with fellow Amazonians to contribute to the community."

"Volunteering has a profound impact on me personally; it grounds me in gratitude, enriches my life with purpose, and connects me to the broader human experience. It's a reminder of the struggles others face and how stepping up can make a significant difference. It has been incredibly fulfilling experience for me. It makes me really value our company's commitment to giving back—it's not just about work; it's also about making a real difference. It makes me proud to be part of our team."

“Working for a company that values corporate social responsibility is deeply meaningful to me. It signifies a commitment to ethical practices and a genuine interest in making a positive impact beyond profit margins. Such a company aligns with my values, reinforcing my dedication to creating sustainable and inclusive growth. In essence, volunteering is not just a corporate strategy but a reflection of the company’s soul, and being part of such an organization is both inspiring and motivating.”

"On a personal level, the ability to give evokes a great feeling. The fact that Amazon not only allows us to volunteer on company time, but even helps and pushes us to contribute, I think it strengthens our connection with the company and its values, and makes us prouder employees."

"This type of work has been a part of my foundation from the time I was a youth into my current lifestyle. I’m glad that Amazon is holding their employees to a higher expectation to pay-it-forward for others that may need additional support. I hope that by highlighting this Global Month of Volunteering, we encourage employees to continue to give back throughout the year."

"Personally, I'm always refreshed and reinvigorated after a volunteer session. I'm very grateful that Amazon sees sustainability and corporate responsibility seriously enough to bake it into our Leadership Principles, and to request Amazonians get out there and actively practice service to their communities and the broader world."

"I have organized and participated many volunteering efforts at Amazon for causes like food security, education, pet shelters, and healthcare. I have been a community impact ambassador for more than 10 years, even before I joined AWS. By joining my Amazon colleagues around the world for volunteering events, I find that I am able to make a much bigger impact."

"Personally, volunteering has been incredibly rewarding. It's humbling to witness firsthand the difference we can make in people's lives through simple acts of kindness. Working for a company that values corporate social responsibility means that I'm part of a larger movement dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. It's a source of pride and motivation, knowing that my efforts align with a company that prioritizes giving back to communities."

"I was very proud to hear from the volunteering point of contact that Amazon does not just pay for the volunteering activity, but they also send employees to support the program. I could see us putting our Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility Leadership Principle into practice, which was a proud moment as an Amazonian. It was also fun to be outside and burn a few calories with a happy face!"

"Personally, I found the volunteering activity immensely satisfying. The ability to make a positive impact on young minds was gratifying, and I felt pride in experiencing Amazon's values around corporate social responsibility in action. We hosted local middle school students and held a business competition that was aimed at addressing social causes. I think I can speak for all the volunteers when I say that we were amazed and impressed with the ideas the students came up with and how they went about solving for them. Students and volunteers were all super engaged and I think we all learned a lot from this event."

"This year, I was chosen to be a Give Back Champion/Ambassador, which involves engaging employees in volunteering activities and participating in initiatives for AWS. My aim is to give back as much as I can to contribute to the well-being of our world and environment, and inspire others to become passionate about giving back.So far, volunteering highly positively impacted me. I have met more people in the workplace and expanded my network beyond my daily responsibilities and routine. Volunteering has allowed me to highlight other opportunities not directly related to my role, bringing me motivation and helping me grow."