One of the many nice things about working for Cisco is the multiple opportunities for giving back. As a company, we participate in many community-based events, with Cisco often matching each employee contribution. Recently I wrote a blog about our Manufacturing team’s participation with a local housing and services foundation.

This Christmas, I have the privilege of working with Friends Outside and their “Holiday Wishes Program.” Through this program we each are matched with a local child in need. The child provides a “wish list” for presents, and then we raise money to fulfill that list.   Read More »

Tags: charity, Cisco, community service, Friends Outside, Manufacturing

While some of us are fortunate enough to have our basic needs covered and can focus on the joys of the holidays, there’s no denying that there are so many others who don’t even have that and could use a little bit of help.

At Cisco, we’ve partnered with several non-profit organizations to provide resources and services to those in need. Some of the organizations include: NetHope, Community Voice Mail, Habitat for Humanity International, Tech Soup Global, and St. Bernard Project. Whether it’s donating through time, money, or sweat like the Partner Summit 2011 team did in the 9th ward in New Orleans, giving back selflessly is a reward in and of itself.

We knew we couldn’t be the only ones who felt passionate about giving back. So, we set out to learn how our partners are giving back this holiday season.

Force 3
Force 3 Vice President of Marketing Krissy Edell Kelley tells us on our Facebook page that they are supporting Toys for Tots, a charity that “delivers, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

Dimension Data
Got Mo? Mo what? Moustache that is! For the month of Movember (the month formerly known as November) Dimension Data supports a moustache growing charity event that raises funds and awareness for men’s health issues. Check out the Mo Bros of Dimension Data.

Not only have our partners found ways to give back during this holiday season, they also found ways to give back throughout the year. See how our partners gave back this year while having a bit of fun. Read More »

Tags: bluewater, business communications, charity, Cisco, dimension data, force 3, inc, nexus IS, partner

Today, we are excited to launch our newest charity campaign, “Give a Click.”

From now until the end of July, Cisco will donate $1 to Teachers Without Borders and NetHope for every new person who subscribes to our YouTube channel (as well as current subscribers).

We believe people want to help change the world—and our Give a Click campaign makes it simple to do so. Just one click helps brings aid organizations online, gives teachers and children access to technology…and much more.

Making a Difference—One Person at a time

All of us reading this blog may take for granted that we can connect with people whether they are in a coffee shop in Shanghai, on a research mission in Antarctica, or even on a space shuttle. Even more important, we take our basic needs for granted, such as fresh running water and electricity, learning how to read and write—having access to teachers.

Yet so many people in this world lack all of these. One way to help is to bring tools, technology, and connectivity to people of need. That’s why we chose NetHope and Teachers Without Borders for this campaign—two charities that are using communication technologies to change the world.

Read More »

Tags: #giveaclick, charity, Cisco, global access, NetHope, save the children, Teachers Without Borders, technology, twb

In early May, Cisco engineer, Brian Dickinson will be at the base camp on Mt Everest just hours before his ascent. We plan to be there with him.

Before he leaves the States, he will talk with us while he’s still at sea level -- from his home -- so we can learn more about what is motivating his incredible drive.

Meet Brian via WebEx this Thursday! Register now!

Brian is on a mission to climb The Seven Summits, to take toys to orphanages in the countries he visits and raise money for AIDS Research. His personal journey has become an amazing global adventure that is reaching far beyond his expectations.

We will have a chance to meet Brian at sea level this Thursday. He will visit with us via WebEx to describe his journey and talk about his first three climbs. Then, on April 1, via Cisco Telepresence, Brian will conduct a science class for kids at an orphanage in Katmandu.

We are hoping the next time we’ll see Brian Read More »

Tags: Adventure, Brian Dickinson, charity, Mt Everest, TelePresence, WebEX

A wooden “house” is not something you may ordinarily see on the show floor at the Consumer Electronics Show, and that is only ONE of the reasons that crowds lined up to hear about the MARLEY audio electronics line.

The MARLEY audio electronics line is designed using eco-friendly and recycled material. There are three different lines – Jammin’, Freedom, and Destiny. The booth contained dozens of prototypes for exhibitors to check out and including earbuds, headphones, docking stations, speakers and boom boxes ranging from $29.99 to $499.99.

I knew this was MY favorite booth at CES 2011 as soon as I heard that a portion of the MARLEY audio electronics proceeds go to 1Love.org-supported charities that empower youth, protect our planet and encourage global peace.

Check out this exclusive interview I did with Bob Marley’s grandson from the show floor!

Read More »

Tags: 1love.org, Bob Marley, CES, ces 2011, charity, Cisco umi, consumer electronics show, Marley, ūmi