By: Margarita Galindo
This National Volunteer Month, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: Samsung Semiconductor in San Jose, CA, marks its 20th anniversary as a corporate partner and steadfast supporter of Family Giving Tree. For two decades, Samsung’s employees have given time, energy, and heart—helping us provide backpacks, gifts, and school supplies to thousands of children and families across the Bay Area—and beyond!
Two decades of impact
Since the first day they signed up as a Back-to-School Drive Leader in 2006, Samsung Semiconductor’s teams have returned year after year. Their employee volunteers have wrapped holiday gifts, filled backpacks with grade-appropriate school supplies for students in K-12 from local schools, and supported logistics that keep our programs running through their individual, corporate,and in-kind giving. Their consistent commitment has helped Family Giving Tree expand our reach, deepen relationships with partner schools and agencies, and help ensure that our neighbors: children, seniors, youth, families, and adults transitioning from homelessness, receive the resources they might otherwise have to do without.
A Few Highlighs Over the Years:
-
2006: Samsung’s first volunteer day helped launch a recurring corporate partnership. (Image: Samsung_20yrs_2006.jpg)
-
2016: A decade in, Samsung led a company-wide drive that packed over 2,000 backpacks for students. (Image: Samsung_10yrs_2016.jpg)
-
2025: Last year, Samsung volunteers contributed hundreds of hours to our holiday distribution and mentoring programs. (Image: Samsung_2025.jpg
Voices from the Partnership
“Our staff and supporters believe that the simple things—a wished-for holiday gift or a supply-filled backpack—can make a big difference. When people feel seen and cared for through these acts, the whole community is elevated. Providing these opportunities to people is the essence of Family Giving Tree. The Samsung volunteers who have worked with us during these 20 years have been essential to our mission.” — Jill Mitsch, CEO, Family Giving Tree.
“We’re proud of our 20-year partnership with Family Giving Tree, whose commitment to supporting families with care and dignity has made a lasting impact across our community. Through this partnership, our employees have contributed nearly 1,200 volunteer hours, supporting over 8,300 community members through back-to-school and holiday seasons, and we’re grateful to stand alongside an organization doing such meaningful work across the Bay Area.” – April Lee, Sr. Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility
Why this matters
Corporate volunteerism accomplishes more than engaging volunteers in the physical activity of packing backpacks and wrapping gifts. It builds and strengthens relationships within the entire ecosystem in which it operates—with and between employees and their neighborhood communities. It models civic engagement for younger volunteers and provides nonprofits with trusted, reliable assistance to scale programs and meet commitments. Samsung’s long-term partnership has helped Family Giving Tree provide tangible resources to 1,706,910 neighbors over 20 years, demonstrating how sustained corporate support multiplies impact year after year.
How you can join
-
Volunteer: Sign up for upcoming Family Giving Tree volunteer shifts.
-
Partner with us: Learn about corporate partnership opportunities and employee engagement programs.
-
Share the story: Use the hashtags #FGT20Years and #NationalVolunteerMonth to celebrate volunteers and inspire others.
To Samsung Semiconductor in San Jose: thank you for 20 years of generosity, leadership, and countless volunteer hours. Your commitment has helped bring joy, grow hope, and create stronger communities.
