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2020 Global Service Project FAQ
What was the result of last year's global service project?
Many times we wonder if it is possible to truly make a difference in the world. Last year you exceeded all hopes of what was possible when we work together – providing funds and educational supplies for over 6,000 girls and young women – to help children achieve their dreams of attending and staying in school. Additionally, with Trend’s Give and Match Program, we donated $178,000 USD to the Malala Fund. Thank you!
What is the Global Service Project this year (2020)?
Building on last year’s success we are excited to announce that Trend has partnered with Room to Read, a global organization, focused on literacy and gender equality in education. Over 750 million people are illiterate and two-thirds are women and girls.
Why are we focusing on literacy and gender equality in education?
The books we read shape our lives, both who we are and what we will become. Nothing can be compared to the charm of reading a good storybook yet many children grow up without the ability to read (and write). Think about how reading books have affected your life. Literacy in early primary school creates lifelong learners. As citizens of a global, interconnected community, we use literacy every day. We use the written word to celebrate our greatest wins and explore the deepest of sorrows. We use literacy to find our tribe and debate different points of view. Even in times of great divisiveness, we fight with our words more often than with our fists. Literacy is the framework through which we communicate, connect and expand our shared existence. Let's join together to help children achieve their full potential and dreams through reading and gender equality in education.
How can I participate and donate to Trend’s Global Service Project?
There are two financial ways to donate and participate:
- Local Payroll – if your local HR/Payroll team is able to, you can simply let them know how much you would like to donate on your next check. These funds will be matched by Trend as part of our Give and Match program.
- Donation Page – please share this link with your team members, customers, partners, family, and friends. These funds will be matched by Trend as part of our Give and Match program. Some countries allow your donation to be a tax write-off. A receipt will be provided to you. Please forward the receipt to Erika Knapman to ensure your donation is matched by Trend Micro.
There are three gifting or non-financial ways to donate and participate:
- New or Used books in Japanese – will be donated to children’s homes across Japan. Please bring or send them to the annual sales conference in January to be part of the onsite global service project.
- Used books in all other languages – will be donated to Value Books, a partner of Room to Read. Please bring/send them to the annual sales conference in January to be part of the onsite global service project. Value Books will then provide Room to Read a financial donation on behalf of Trend. Please do not purchase new books. The books can be in ANY language and on ANY topic including children and adult books. The books will be either resold by Value Books or donated to libraries and other schools around the world.
- Educational Toys – include simple games that require little to no instructions such as legos, blocks, memory matching cards, sorting games, magnets, etc. These will be donated to children’s homes across Japan.
How will the materials get to the Sales Kick-off site in Yokohama Japan?
Preference: Books and educational toys can be brought by Trenders attending SKO in their suitcase(s). It is anticipated that 1,600 Trenders will attend and that each main office will be represented.
Books and educational toys can be shipped to Japan and will be used in the global service project. We recommend shipping “book/media rate” which is an inexpensive option. To ship book/media rate, which is a slow shipment, the books will need to be shipped early to arrive in time for SKO. (refer to Champions)
Are there other ways to participate in this year’s service project?
Contact your local Service Champion to participate in either of the following:
- Video “What reading means to me”. We are asking Trenders to volunteer to share your personal feelings and experiences about how reading has impacted your life. The “interview” should take no more than 10 minutes.
- Create Your Own Book – we are supporting the printing of a number of children’s books written and or/illustrated by Trenders. These books will be printed and gifted to children’s homes.
Can non-Trenders participate in the service project?
- YES! We encourage Trenders to invite their family, friends, customers, and partners to participate in the fundraising for children’s literacy. You can simply share the link when available. As a note, only Trend Micro employee donations will be matched.
- YES! We encourage Trenders to invite their family, friends, customers, and partners to participate in the books and education toy donations.
- NO! Unfortunately, non-Trenders cannot participate in the onsite global service project during the SKO week.
What can offices do in support of literacy before, during or after the global service project?
- Invite family, friends, customers, and partners to participate!!
- Host a fundraiser and donate to Trend’s Room to Read partnership
- Host an office day for kids to read, share, pick a book
- Build a “reading nook” at a local school or children’s home and fill it with books
- As a team or office, write a children’s book together
- Donate books to a local used book store and donate the funds received to Room to Read
- As a team, volunteer to read at a local school or children’s home for a “read aloud” with actions and with planned questions to help kids understand the story
- Build “Sharing Libraries” or “Libraries in a Box” in your community
- Donate used books to a local charity
What will the project be in Japan?
- Onsite: Work at the convention center (for children’s homes)
- Sort and prepare books (for children’s homes/Value) and educational toys (repair books) Potentially preparing shelving for books/library
- Creation of custom bookmarks (designing, laminating, etc) – throughout the week, bookmarks on tables for people to create/design
- Packing all materials into boxes/bins in preparation to ship
- Painting signs for children’s home fences
- Other activities still being discussed. Please share ideas.
Are there other ways to donate to Room to Read?
Yes! (smile.amazon.com) Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. The holiday season is a great time to shop and its no additional cost to you! MUST be purchased at www.smile.amazon.com (not the regular site www.amazon.com or app). Please note that Trend will not match these funds as we cannot get a regular report.
- Login to Amazon
- Click on Account & Lists under your name
- Click on Your Amazon Smile
- Right side, Your Current Charity – Type in “Room to Read”
- Shop as you normally do
- You can create an “app”-like bookmark on your phone to purchase there each time
Are we partnering with anyone as we did with the Malala Fund last year (2019)?
Yes! We are excited to announce that Trend has partnered with Room to Read, a global organization, to help children develop the skills and habit of reading throughout primary school and working to ensure that girls complete secondary school and have the skills to negotiate key life decisions.
Who is Room to Read?
Room to Read is a global organization that seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
Where does Room to Read work?
Room to Read believes that every child deserves a quality education, no matter the situation they were born into, but the truth is that in many parts of Asia and Africa—especially in rural communities—many children are still denied this basic human right. In the communities where they work, a relatively small investment can have a major impact on the lives of hundreds or thousands of children. See Map HERE
What does Room to Read do?
Room to Read has two major focus areas: Literacy and Girls Education.
Their Literacy Program transforms primary schools into a child-friendly learning environment that enables children to develop the skills and habit of reading throughout primary school and become life-long, independent readers. Room to Read’s school intervention includes ensuring the facility has a structured library with books in the children’s local language, as well as teachers and librarians who are trained in the best practices of reading and writing instruction.
Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program ensures that girls complete secondary school and have the skills to negotiate key life decisions. Their program reinforces girls’ commitment to their own education, works with girls to develop essential life skills and increases support for girls’ education among their parents, school staff, and communities.
Is my financial donation safe with Room to Read?
Yes! Charity Navigator, one of the largest, most utilized, independent evaluator of charities, has once again awarded Room to Read its coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Since 2007, this is the thirteenth year Room to Read has received the award.
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