RYE BROOK, N.Y. (March 22, 2017)—In celebration of World Water Day, Xylem Inc. is launching a month-long volunteer challenge for Xylem colleagues across the globe to highlight the importance of water and environmental issues, according to a statement from the company. Starting March 22 and extending through to Earth Day on April 22, the “Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge” is an initiative of Xylem Watermark, the company’s corporate citizenship program, through which Xylem colleagues will be able to volunteer to participate in a range of activities to protect safe water resources and educate communities about water-related challenges. All colleagues will receive a time allowance to participate in a Watermark-sponsored volunteer activity taking place during working hours over the ‘Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge’ period. “At Xylem, water is more than our business; it is our passion, and our 16,000-strong team across the globe is driven by a shared commitment to solve urgent water challenges and deliver results that matter. Today, we are excited to celebrate this commitment with those around us,” said Patrick Decker, President and CEO of Xylem. Xylem Senior Vice President, President Analytics and Treatment, and Chairman of the Xylem Watermark Committee Colin Sabol added, “The ‘Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge’ exemplifies Xylem’s culture of engagement and volunteerism, and offers meaningful opportunities for Xylem colleagues to give back to their communities by raising awareness about key resource challenges. Collaboration is at the heart of what World Water Day is all about, and I am eager to see the results of our joint efforts.” Dozens of volunteer activities will be taking place at Xylem’s locations globally. Some of the activities include:
- Planet Water Foundation’s Project24, during which Xylem colleagues will help to build 10,000-gallon water towers in Columbia, Indonesia and the Philippines to provide fresh, clean water to schools that previously did not have access to safe water and sanitation.
- Seaton Wetlands Cleanup (Devon, U.K.) will help to protect the local watershed and marine ecosystem of the Seaton Wetlands.
- Educate-to-Innovate Classroom Visits (Lemon Grove, California), an initiative to educate students about the importance of clean water, how Xylem is involved in analyzing the quality of water, and pathways to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
- Seneca Falls Water Days (Seneca Falls, New York) will explore the challenges of living with limited access to water and include a fundraising activity to build water cisterns in Argentina.
- Watermark Lunch ’n’ Learn (Vantaa, Finland) aims to raise awareness among colleagues about the global water crisis through an interactive workshop and fundraising event.