Many of us feel lucky to find one charity that we connect deeply with. Jo Chilton, Splunk Customer Success Manager, has found two in the course of her volunteer journey, and since starting to volunteer in 2015, she hasn’t looked back.
Working to ensure no one need go hungry
Jo first volunteered with Hackney Foodbank, drawn to an opportunity she could do outside of working hours. She began by volunteering at donation drives, heading to supermarkets like Tesco to collect food and cash donations from shoppers.
Soon she started volunteering in the warehouse. Hackney Foodbank receives donations not only from supermarket drives, but also businesses, neighborhood associations and walk-ins to the warehouse. Along with her fellow volunteers, Jo weighs and sorts the donations, which will later go into crates for deliveries to clients.
“There are a variety of reasons for using a food bank,” explains Jo. “You may be recovering from homelessness or have unstable employment conditions. Unexpected life events such as an injury might leave you unable to work, leaving you with the choice of feeding your family or heating your home in winter. For many people, just one unexpected bill can lead to food insecurity.”
The pandemic only amplified the problem. “As Splunkers, we weathered the storm from a position of fortune and gratitude,” says Jo. “But for many others in the community, the need for donated food has been more critical than ever.”
While Jo enjoys volunteering with the foodbank and has made friends by giving back, she looks forward to a day where her volunteer service is no longer required – and food is easily available to all.
Giving comfort during the holidays
Along with Hackney Foodbank, Jo volunteers with Crisis, a charity that works with homeless and formerly homeless Britons. In addition to year-round services, it offers Crisis at Christmas, when shelters open throughout the holiday week.
“The holidays can be a difficult time for many people, whether they are homeless or simply lonely,” says Jo. “During Crisis at Christmas, the guests are our VIPs. They can enjoy three meals a day, along with access to services most of us take for granted, like an optician or hairdresser.”
Perhaps most important, Crisis at Christmas offers companionship and a listening ear for people at their most vulnerable, alongside services to help with challenges they may be facing, such as addiction.
“When we share a meal or a cup of tea, I have the opportunity to learn about another person’s experience,” says Jo. “You really learn a lot about life and people’s resilience in those moments, and while the conversations can be challenging, they also bring me joy.”
As a returning volunteer, Jo has made many friends. But what she values most is how volunteering has connected her to the dignity of every life.
“For so many homeless people, the worst thing isn’t the cold or hunger, but the loneliness,” says Jo. “People won’t look you in the eye, even as they give you food and drink. If you just take thirty seconds to introduce yourself and ask their name, you’ve created a moment of connection.”
Discover your own path
“Charities offer such a breadth of opportunities, with something for nearly everyone,” says Jo. “You might not find your niche right away, so be persistent. Whatever your personality and talents, you can make such a difference for others.”
Giving Back as a Team
IT Engineering brings fun, innovation, and friendly competition to their volunteer events
For Abeetha Bala and the Splunk IT Engineering team, volunteering isn’t just an occasional activity. It’s an important part of their culture.
Most recently, they volunteered with CareerVillage.org – a nonprofit that works to democratize access to career information and advice for underrepresented youth. Together, the CareerVillage team and the Splunkers organized an online Q&A to answer questions about technology careers.
Friendly competition for a great cause
During the big day, the volunteers were split into teams. The young people asked their questions, and the Splunker teams competed to answer as many as possible.
With an audience ranging from 4th graders to high schoolers and highly technical subject matter, they had their work cut out for them. “We had to put ourselves in the shoes of the students and keep the explanations simple,” says Abeetha.
Together, the Splunkers answered 59 questions in 1 hour – each one offering young people a window into a technology career. Through the fast-paced event, all of the Splunkers got involved – in fact, the beauty of the event is that it appealed to extroverts and introverts alike.
“It was refreshing to interact with the students,” says Abeetha. “It brought us a new perspective on the work we do every day.” The team that answered the most questions not only won bragging rights, but was also honored during a department All Hands.
Creating fun and meaningful experiences
The IT Engineering Social Committee spearheads the team’s volunteer projects. Gathering inspiration from Benevity and the Social Impact team, they gather a list of ideas. To make sure everyone has a voice, they survey their colleagues, and the option with the most votes wins.
Every quarter brings a different cause. “We want to keep our team excited and make sure the experience is meaningful,” says Abeetha. “Since our team is around the world, we look for activities that work across time zones, and we’re always sure to add our personal Splunk touch.” In recent quarters, IT Engineering volunteered with Missing Maps to map areas of India vulnerable to typhoons and held a virtual charity for a 5K run.
While the Social Committee drives the projects, it’s a collaborative effort. “We rely on managers to talk up the events to their teams, and whenever possible, we love to see managers join us,” says Abeetha. “By participating, they send a clear signal that we value volunteering and want everyone to use their VTO.”
Their efforts are paying off. Each quarter, 30-35% of IT Engineering takes part, and the team has already logged 40 volunteer hours this fiscal year. “At our events, I have a chance to interact with colleagues I don’t usually work with,” says Abeetha. “Volunteering helps new colleagues get to know our culture, and it creates a powerful sense of belonging.”
“I’m proud to work at Splunk,” she adds. “I believe in our product, and I value our VTO program. I have the privilege of giving the gift of time to support great causes.”
