Take 5 Challenge Accepted: December 2015

From fundraising for cancer, to facility improvement and cybersecurity training, Symantec employees around the world have accepted the Take 5 challenge and are making a difference in their communities.

Sometimes you just need a little inspiration. And that’s exactly why Take 5 was created. It’s been six months since Symantec introduced our FY16 volunteer challenge, and individuals and teams across the company have joined with nonprofit organizations to make a positive impact in their communities. Today, we’re highlighting three experiences where passionate Symantec employees are helping nonprofits grow and prosper.

Oregon HR Team Tackles Trauma Healing Project  

The Trauma Healing Project, based in Eugene, Oregon, was launched ten years ago by a coalition of survivors, community members, professionals, students, and researchers concerned about the negative impact of trauma on individual and community health. The nonprofit organization believes that in order to improve the quality of life in our communities and to end violence and abuse, healing and recovery must be understood, promoted, and accessible.

Earlier this year, in conjunction with United Way’s Day of Caring, the Symantec Human Resources team in Oregon joined together to support the organization by improving their facilities. Some team members worked in the garden while others painted rooms across the center often used for meetings, training and therapy.

“Across the board our team viewed the volunteering experience as a fun, feel-good experience. They appreciated the synergy, team building, and learning about a new resource that helps people in our community. Take 5 and this approach to volunteerism is truly amazing and a win-win for both employees and the nonprofits.  No company in our area has anything remotely close to Symantec’s awesome volunteering incentives,” said Laura Howell, HR Consultant.

Pedaling for the Cause in San Diego

Pedal for the Cause is an annual cycling event that raises money to fund collaborative, groundbreaking cancer research at San Diego's world-class centers: University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and Rady Children's Hospital. These centers combine their resources and talents to accelerate innovative approaches for the treatment and prevention of cancer. 

Inspired by the impact cancer has had on his own family and his wife who was riding in support of five-year old Angelina—diagnosed with cancer when she was less than a year old—Jean-Claude Beneventi, Direct of Business Development, volunteered throughout the three-day September event helping with event registration, production, and logistics. He also attended many of the pre-race events to help raise awareness about the organization’s mission and encourage people to get involved.

“We claim to live in a connected world but the reality is that we are more often than not completely disconnected with ourselves, our surroundings and sometimes values. Volunteering gives you the direct opportunity to put good intention into action in a way that can make a difference in someone else’s life. It’s also a nice way to connect with local folks and companies in order to build a community-wide effort,” said Beneventi.

Since its inaugural event, Pedal for the Cause has raised $1.5 million and is tracking to donate an additional $1.2 million this year. Beneventi encourages others to take the plunge and start by choosing a cause that is dear to your heart (children, elderly, homeless, animals, etc.).  “Like anything else, you need to have passion and a drive. It can be very rewarding at the personal level. Words cannot give justice to the sense of purpose and passion that can be obtained.”  

Providing Online Safety Training to Schools in Dublin

The Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School is a primary school in Northern County Dublin. Over the past year, many parents expressed concern regarding their children’s use of the Internet and potential dangers. As parents with children who attend the school, Symantec’s John Handley, Security Officer, GSO, and John Donnelly, Principal IT Tools Specialist, joined together to deliver online safety training to more than 200 students and teachers, igniting many important conversations amongst pupils, educational staff and parents. 

“(The training) got all those young minds thinking about online safety while using the Internet. I know that they (our parents) are extremely grateful to you for this valuable service. This time of year can be a very anxious time for parents, particularly of young teens and preteens, and the message that your team delivered can't be reiterated often enough,” said Trish Hurley, principal at Rush and Lusk Education Together National School.

“It’s personally satisfying to know we can make a contribution as individuals and also that our employer is actively supporting this initiative. It’s great to engage with the school and bring a message that we know is for the ultimate safety of the students, who are the adults of tomorrow after all,” said Handley. “If you haven’t taken 5 yet, find an area you would like to work with and give it a go. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.”

Handley and Donnelly took their 5 in support of Rush and Lusk, a part of the Educate Together Network.

For more information on Take 5, visit:

• Cutting Edge: Transforming Our Future with Innovation
• Employee Volunteering, Computer Donations and More with Camara Education Dublin
• The Legal Team Volunteers to “Take Five"!

Lora Phillips is Symantec's Director, Corporate Responsibility