Touching lives one day at a time

MANILA, Philippines - Having focused on children’s welfare for the past years, and having noticed the importance of the elders in the community, premier global telecommunications corporation Alcatel-Lucent Philippines (ALU) recently conducted an outreach program for senior citizens at Golden Acres in Quezon City.

“We went to Golden Acres because Alcatel-Lucent Philippines wants to touch the lives of the homeless and abandoned elders. At the sunset of their lives, it is but fitting to give them tender, loving care and make them feel special,” says Jonathan Goh, president of Alcatel-Lucent Philippines Inc.

Goh adds, “Our company recognizes that together with its worldwide success is a global responsibility to give back to the communities we work in. Our employees’ active participation in the outreach activity reflects one of Alcatel-Lucent’s key corporate values — social responsibility through volunteerism.”

During the visit, ALU employees presented some songs and dances while the elders got the chance to belt out their favorite songs and wiggle their hips. Some won prizes for participating in some games that made them forget their loneliness. An added attraction was a mini photo booth with funny costumes and accessories, where the elders showed off their sweetest smiles and movie star poses for souvenir printouts. Giveaways were distributed and food was served right in their stations.

ALU’s International Days of Caring is sponsored by the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation, a non-governmental and non-profit organization.

 “It is vital for all companies to be socially responsible and be good corporate citizens. This involves more than ethical behavior; it means that all our employees must become involved and demonstrate, day after day, the company’s concern for society,” says Ben Verwaayen Alcatel-Lucent CEO.