Philips 2011 Annual Report Download - page 33

4 Our planet, our partners, our people 4 - 4
Annual Report 2011 33
A key initiative in this respect is our
SimplyHealthy@Schools program. Across the globe,
Philips employees have volunteered to upgrade lighting in
local schools and educate the children on energy
efficiency. But the program goes much further. The
SimplyHealthy@Schools Healthy Heroes toolkit is aimed
at children aged 8-12 years and illustrates simple ways of
improving health and well-being by paying attention to air,
light, water, sleep and oral hygiene, as well as to exercise
and care for the environment. When these factors are
addressed, children perform better and their overall
mental and physical well-being improves.
New volunteering program in the USA
In 2011 we also launched a new employee volunteer
program in North America called “Philips Cares: giving
back to our communities”. Philips Cares utilizes an online
portal in conjunction with relationships with non-profit
organizations across the United States to provide
employees with the opportunity to participate in
meaningful volunteer opportunities that suit their
individual needs, schedule and passion. Since the program
launched, thousands of employees have taken action to
give back to their community. Examples include a Build-a-
Bike event in Salina, Kansas, a Charity Chili Cook-off in
Tupelo, Mississippi, and a Day of Caring event in Bothell,
Washington.
If we are to win in the market and
step up growth, we need engaged
employees who demonstrate
entrepreneurial spirit,
uncompromising determination and a
desire for excellence – as embodied
in our new company culture.
In turn, our new culture should also
help make Philips a more dynamic
and rewarding place for our talented,
dedicated employees to work.
We have long been active in the
communities where we live and
work. By linking our social investment
initiatives with the scope of our
business, we make our core
competencies available to make a
difference in people’s lives.