Imagine if the littlest everyday tasks of the day like walking from the bedroom to the kitchen, running errands in the neighborhood, or strolling in the park could help build a better society. For Samsung employees this year, walking became a meaningful fundraiser to lend a hand to those in need.

As the pandemic brought many corporate citizenship activities to a halt, employees needed a new and safe way to give back to the community. Physical training facilities were largely closed down and many employees were looking for alternatives to hitting the gym. Samsung came up with an answer – a virtual walk-a-thon!

Read on to see how Samsung employees around the world joined forces to continue to give to society even in the face of a pandemic.

Stepping forward to do good

In Korea, Samsung’s initiative was named ‘Walk on, Give on’. This year’s ‘Walk on, Give on’ was held in May 2021, a second time since its launch. Employees participating in the virtual walk-a-thon would log their step counts on Samsung Health, using their own smartphones and wearables, until the total amount met the goal set forth.

“For me, the spread of the COVID-19 disease shed a light on the society’s lack of concerns for the minority groups like families struggling financially and the elderly with nobody to care for them,” said one of the participants. “’Walk On, Give On’ allowed me to reflect on things I’ve taken for granted and was less aware of. It was a chance to give back to society and provide better living conditions to those in need.”

Thanks to the collective efforts of over 7,000 executives and employees from different divisions, employees easily achieved over 640 million steps, exceeding the goal of 350 million steps. Samsung, in the name of its employees, donated 500 state-of-the-art refrigerators to elderly households living alone in Suwon city, a value equivalent to approximately 250 million Korean won.

One step closer to a greener future

In Canada, Samsung employees took their daily walks in support of saving the environment. To celebrate Earth Day 2021, over 100 employees and their families across Canada participated in the ‘Spring Step Challenge’. Like ‘Walk On, Give On’, the number of steps the employees made is converted into a monetary donation.

Funds raised by the employees support the Green & Just Recovery Program of the David Suzuki Foundation, a Canadian non-profits organization who is focused on protecting and conserving the Earth’s natural systems. The program not only looks after the preservation of wildlife but invests in sustainable energy and job creation.

“Protecting nature benefits not just us but all kinds of life,” said a participant. “If a few steps I take can help protect the environment, I would walk until my legs are sore!” The pandemic did not stop the employees from stepping out. Walking together but apart, the employees have raised 10,000 Canadian Dollars in just seven days.

“At Samsung, we are committed to building a better, more sustainable future,” said Jennifer from Corporate Marketing and Citizenship at Samsung Electronics Canada. “We are proud to see this commitment reflected by our employees and the passionate response they had to the Spring Step Challenge.”

Like many of the volunteer events gone virtual at Samsung, the way the world operates has evolved since the pandemic. Lean in and listen to the needs of the community, look around and find ways to give to others.