6 Companies Which Are Giving Back to Their Communities this Christmas

By Niamh Ollerton Updated Nov 26, 2019

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Introduction
Wreaths Across America
Olivela
FedEx
Delta Air Lines
Intel
Hanes

6 Companies Which Are Giving Back to Their Communities this Christmas main image

Discover how businesses are promoting humanitarian approaches and more

The festive season is the perfect time of year to share the love and get into the spirit of giving back to those less fortunate than ourselves.

There are a number of companies that make it their mission around this joyful period to give back to their communities and customers, as well as causes close to the hearts of their founders.

Whether it’s providing food and clothing to those in need, or honoring the sacrifices of the armed forces, you don’t have to look far for examples of seasonal charity and goodwill. Here are some of our favorite, awe-inspiring acts of generosity from companies around the world this Christmas.

Wreaths Across America

Each December – December 14 this year – on National Wreaths Across America Day, the company Wreaths Across America makes it their mission to Remember, Honor and Teach by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,600 additional locations in all 50 US states, at sea and abroad.

The company says: “In many homes, there is an empty seat for one who is serving or one who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

“We hope you will join us at any of our more than 1,600 participating locations to show our veterans and their families that we will not forget. We will never forget.”

Olivela

It’s become even easier to give back this holiday season thanks to designer retailer Olivela, as the brand announced it will donate US$1 million during the festive season.

Founded in 2017 by CEO Stacey Boyd (following an eye-opening trip to refugee camps in Kenta and Rwanda), Olivela donates 20 percent of proceeds to at-risk communities, but this Christmas, the retailer announced a major celebrity-driven initiative to raise up to US$1 million for charity in partnership with organizations like St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, WE Charity, and Stand Up To Cancer to name but a few. A-list celebrities rallying the behind the campaign include Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Sarah Hyland and Katie Couric.

How does the initiative work? Choose from Olivela’s vast array of apparel, accessories, jewelry and beauty products (or shop by designer), then check out as you normally would. At no additional cost to you, a percentage of your purchase will automatically go to one of Olivela’s partner charities.

The newly launched US$1 million initiative is an expansion of the company’s humanitarian partnerships to celebrate the season of giving.

FedEx

Volunteers at FedEx Cares put together 12,000 care packages to distribute to service members overseas.

Service members will be treated to the snack packs – with some extra special gifts from FedEx – thanks to the help of the USO Holidays campaign.

Every year, FedEx distributes care packages to military personnel deployed in Europe, south-west Asia, and the Pacific, hopefully brining some much-needed joy to the troops.

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Delta Air Lines

Since 2013, Delta leaders have organized The Executive Sleep Out to help raise awareness and funds for Covenant House, a nonprofit organization providing care and vital services to homeless, abandoned, abused and trafficked children.

Execs spend the night on the street sleeping in cardboard boxes and sleeping bags. Funds raised ensure Covenant House can provide food, clothing, shelter and essential services – including legal services, education, substance abuse counseling, and mental healthcare – to kids battling through the pains of homelessness across the US, Canada and Latin America.

Since Delta’s partnership with the nonprofit began, it has given more than US$1 million to Covenant House.

Intel

All across America, Intel sites get involved with different initiatives to support local communities.

For example, in Santa Clara, California, employees have organized a canned food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties – and they aim to raise US$25,000 to ensure families don’t go hungry over the holidays.

The Santa Clara branch didn’t stop there, as they’ve also supported the nonprofit organization Family Giving Tree that gifts children living in poverty their dream presents.

Similarly, Intel employees in Folsom, California partnered with several national and local organizations to ‘adopt’ more than 160 families in need.

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Hanes

You may think of socks and underwear as unremarkable staple items of clothing. However, they are actually the least donated items at homeless shelters.

Comfortable clothing brand Hanes has been donating socks and underwear for 10 years, and in its anniversary year this year, the company will be donating more than 250,000 pairs to partner shelters and organizations.

The company’s goal is to bring some comfort to those in need by simply providing a clean pair of socks and underwear.

Hanes works with homeless shelters, organizations, community groups and individuals from across the country to help raise awareness of people who are often treated as invisible in our communities. Since 2009, the company has partnered with Mark Horvath whose nonprofit, Invisible People, is dedicated to educating the public about homelessness.

Feeling inspired? The following charities would welcome your help this festive season:

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Written by

Niamh was Deputy Head of Content at QS (TopMBA.com; topuniversities.com), creating and editing content for an international student audience. Having gained her journalism qualification at the Press Association, London and since written for different international publications, she's now enjoying telling the stories of students, alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs and organizations from across the globe.