More than 2,300 employees join forces to raise funds for distance learners
Upholding its mission to give back to the community while promoting health and wellness within the company, TELUS International Philippines launched its TELUS Days of Giving (TDOG) Virtual Run 2021 through which team members raised financial support for distance learners who badly need help while engaging safely in exercise and friendly competition.
The virtual event which began on May 1 and ran until May 31 was held in support of World Vision’s Abutin Na10 Campaign, a fundraising drive that benefits distance learning initiatives for struggling students through the Department of Education’s (DepEd) study continuity plan. Funds raised from this effort will also be used to reproduce self-learning materials and support DepEd’s Brigada Pagbasa Reading Remediation program.
Through the run’s 2,343 registered volunteers, TELUS International Philippines team has already raised an initial Php 740,250 for World Vision which will provide over 7,000 printed modules for 7,000 public school students from remote areas across the country. On top of the funds raised through its team members, the company has pledged to donate PHP 100,000 on behalf of the top three site winners and to sponsor students by donating an additional P100 for every team member who finishes his/her distance category.
“Empowering our team members to give back to the community has always been a part of our company culture. This year, technology is helping us inspire our team members to stay active as well while we achieve our corporate social responsibility advocacies. It’s pretty amazing how our team members can join a run safely and virtually from their homes while helping support the education of the youth who need it the most,” said Phoebe Carrera, TELUS International Philippines Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.
Unlike traditional fun runs in the past where participants were tasked to complete a total distance within a given time period, the TDOG Virtual Run 2021 is designed to work within the parameters of our current quarantine situation. With safety in mind, runners had the entire month of May to complete their chosen distance at their own time, pace, and in their own space. To replicate the marathon experience, each participating employee received a runner’s singlet and virtual race bib as well as a finisher’s shirt upon completion.
Employees who registered for the TDOG Virtual Run 2021 selected from four distance categories: 10 KM, 20 KM, 40 KM, and 60 KM. Runners are tracking their runs throughout the month using a fitness gadget or a mobile fitness app. Each participant is asked to log in the date, distance covered, and duration of each run along with a screenshot from the gadget or app as proof and submit these through an online form supplied by TELUS International Philippines.
TIP team member Jayge William Salvan, who participated and completed his own 60 KM run, explains: “I look forward to the physical and mental health benefits that walking and running provide me, especially now that we are still experiencing this stressful pandemic. The TELUS Days of Giving Virtual Run 2021 is truly helping ease my depression and increase my stamina. I plan to continue jogging in my neighborhood on a weekly basis to continue to strengthen my heart and to keep my blood circulating. I will do this activity without compromising my health by wearing a face mask and face shield, and by observing physical distancing.”
Says new mom and 60 KM finisher Twilight Begnoche, who joins the TELUS International Philippines fun run event each year: “Ever since I started working with TELUS International Philippines 13 years ago, I made sure to join the fun run each year to be active and push myself to get moving. Running relaxes me. Going outside to sweat all the stress and extra calories gives me more energy for the day and gives me fulfillment too. As a new mom who works from home, I don’t usually have time for myself. TDOG runs give me that time and make me happy.”
For Operations Director Delon Pinheiro, the virtual run keeps him motivated and helps him stay on track. “I love being part of a company that shares my values, and the TDOG run was for a good cause to help school children and I wanted to participate and do my bit for them, even if it is from far away. The run was also physically and mentally rewarding. I lost about 4 kg of weight over the month, experienced increased stamina to run longer, and had less stress after my runs as I used the time to think of solutions to any issues that I am facing at the time.”
“I have participated in community service and social responsibility activities before. This year’s virtual run gives all of us an opportunity to continue to participate despite the challenging situation. I realize that when we are given an enormous challenge to conquer, we can do it by taking little steps and not giving up. The whole experience helped me not only to be physically fit and healthy but also mentally well and fulfilled because I am helping others, too,” added Garry Parrocha, long-distance runner and team member.
Meanwhile, Ernesto Datu Jr., shared that he has become more motivated to move and take care of his health after participating. “I am a regular TELUS Days of Giving volunteer and I support this initiative because I not only am able to contribute to a good cause but it also enables me to put into action that long delayed plan to do more activities such as walking and running to keep me healthy and physically active. I will continue my daily runs in our village and invest in equipment that will let me do exercise indoors even during the rainy season.”
Individual winners are awarded based on the shortest accumulated time to complete their chosen distance. To add a friendly competition as in any sport, all seven TELUS International Philippines sites, including their recently opened one in Iloilo City, are also competing with each other based on total distance covered by their team members.
“Despite the physical distance we find ourselves in, we continue to discover ways to increase our social connectedness through various programs that not only engage team members, but also give them something to look forward to beyond day-to-day work responsibilities,” said Carrera.
The TDOG Virtual Run 2021 is part of TELUS International Philippines’ employee-focused programs developed to provide avenues for self-improvement, peer-engagement, corporate social responsibility, and continuous learning.