SpotX for Change is our community engagement program that began back in 2015 to formalize our culture of giving back. In addition to sponsoring volunteer opportunities for employees, SpotX for Change includes a gift-matching program that matches 100% of the financial donations our employees make each year, up to $250 per employee, expanding our impact across the globe to all of the organizations that SpotXers are involved with and passionate about. Since the program’s inception, SpotXers have volunteered with and donated to over 100 non-profits and charities.
The SpotX for Change program is loved by our team across the globe, so I thought I’d interview a few colleagues to recap our 2019 activities and impact. Here, Denver SpotXers Nicole Yen, Account Coordinator, and Matt Peck, Software Engineer, share more about their experiences with SpotX for Change events, what they’ve learned, and what volunteering means to them.
Which organizations have you volunteered with through SpotX for Change?
Nicole: Project Angel Heart.
Matt: I’ve volunteered with Precious Child, Project Angel Heart, the Denver Children’s Museum, and Be the Match, so far. Hopefully, that list will continue to grow.
What were the goals of your volunteering efforts at each event?
Nicole: The goal at Project Angel Heart was to prepare and provide meals to individuals with chronic illnesses to improve their quality of life. Receiving nutrition-specific meals for their families means they are able to focus on other necessities.
Matt: As Nicole said, we helped assemble meals for critically ill patients and their families at Project Angel Heart. We sorted and put out donated clothes with Precious Child, with the Denver Children’s Museum we put up Halloween decorations for their Trick-or-Treat Street event, and we joined the bone marrow transplant list with Be the Match.
What is your favorite moment from your volunteering?
Nicole: I had two favorite moments. The first was just walking into the Project Angel Heart building and seeing a spacious, beautiful workspace for full-time, non-profit employees and their volunteers. It showed me how important their mission was to so many people. I’ve been to many foundations where their working conditions were sub-par due to budget limitations, so I was happy to see a non-profit environment with a good atmosphere.
My second favorite moment was touring the organization, as the man who gave our tour was so passionate about their mission and really emphasized why their work was so impactful to their clients. It was great to see someone work so hard to support people who lacked the means or time to help themselves.
Matt: I think putting meals together with my fellow coworkers at Project Angel Heart was my favorite moment.
What have you learned about the Denver community through your volunteering?
Nicole: Having just recently moved to Denver, it was already awesome to see how much nicer and genuine everyone was compared to California, but it was even better to see people take it to the next level and dedicate their time to volunteering and good causes. I’m glad I get to be part of a community that gives back.
Matt: It could be the head rush I got from spinning around in my chair too fast, or maybe it’s from volunteering here recently, but I’m going to get a little sentimental, so buckle up. I’ve noticed how loving the Denver community is. The people here truly do care about their neighbors. I find it refreshing, and it makes me proud to be a part of that community.
When considering joining SpotX, was it important for you to see charitable and volunteer programs included at the company?
Nicole: Yes, I came from a non-profit background and wanted to make sure the tech company I chose to work for was ethical and would provide opportunities for me to give back to the community through various outlets like work-life balance, volunteer opportunities, and donation-matching programs.
Matt: Fresh out of college, I would have said no, but as I’ve matured (Yes, you read that right. M-A-T-U-R-E-D.), my answer has definitely changed. Having a charitable program shows that a company has values outside of just growing its business. A company that gives back to the community is more appealing to me than one that doesn’t.
What does it mean to you knowing your company supports these volunteer efforts and encourages volunteering during the workday?
Nicole: I think these volunteer opportunities SpotX makes available to employees really speak to the company culture and people. I haven’t met anyone that isn’t hard-working, kind, friendly, and caring here, and the fact that the volunteer slots fill up so quickly really attests to that. As a tech company in the advertising industry, we could easily not provide these opportunities, so the effort in organizing the volunteer events is so appreciated.
Matt: It means a lot. It’s nice knowing that I work for a company that cares about the community that it’s a part of.
Other than helping out these amazing organizations with tasks they needed done, what else did you gain from the experience?
Nicole: I think this was a great way to meet other team members, especially those that are aligned with giving back to the community. It was also so inspirational to see firsthand what Project Angel Heart does.
Matt: I gained some much-needed perspective. You realize how small your problems are in comparison to the problems these amazing organizations are trying to tackle.
Do you volunteer outside of work? Do these work volunteer opportunities make you want to find more ways to help out your community in your free time?
Nicole: Yes, I’m in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and I also volunteer with the Denver Animal Shelter. The work volunteer opportunities definitely inspire me to volunteer more and educate me on other types of charities I could volunteer with.
Matt: I wanted to start volunteering, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I did some research, and the sheer amount of volunteering opportunities available was overwhelming. I couldn’t make up my mind where to start. Having the opportunity to sample various volunteering opportunities here at Spotx has been a real asset.
Learn more about SpotX for Change, or if you’re looking to join an organization that prioritizes giving back, check out our open job positions.