Empowering Communities: The Insurance Industry's Week of Giving Amidst Pandemic Challenges

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation's Week of Giving

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is once again calling on insurance professionals to volunteer for their community nonprofit organizations during the annual Week of Giving, which runs from October 10-17, 2020. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person projects have been cancelled, but the IICF has listed several ways to safely make an impact in the communities where we live and work.

Virtual Volunteering Opportunities

Some of the suggested activities include searching AARP’s virtual volunteer database for opportunities in your community, helping veterans with mock interviews and career coaching remotely through Hire Heroes USA, and volunteering by transcribing historical documents for the Smithsonian Institute. Additionally, there are opportunities to track bird populations and migration patterns, and to provide tutoring services and support for high school students in statistics and government courses through virtual platforms like Microsoft TEAMS and Zoom.

Impact and Future of Volunteering

The IICF has hosted the Week of Giving since 1998, generating over 300,000 hours of volunteer service and contributing $40 million in community grants since its founding in 1994. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the insurance industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to community service. For those interested in volunteering, the IICF provides opportunities throughout the year, not just during the Week of Giving.

In conclusion, while the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift to virtual volunteering, the insurance industry remains dedicated to giving back to its communities. For those looking to get involved, there are numerous opportunities available, both during the Week of Giving and throughout the year.