Timberland Kicks Off 25 Days of Service Challenge with Volunteer Fair

Global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland today kicked off its 25 Days of Service Challenge, aiming to drive incremental service engagement among employees over 25 business days. The Challenge comes as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the brand’s award-winning Path of Service™ program. Launched in 1992, the Path of Service™ program offers employees up to 40 paid hours each year to serve in their communities. In preparation for the Challenge, the brand hosted a Volunteer Fair at its global headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire to connect employees to potential service opportunities.

At the Fair, Timberland convened over 20 non-profit organizations from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine to offer employees opportunities to use their service hours during the Challenge time frame and beyond. Employees had their pick of diverse service opportunities including: working with service dogs to support mobility-challenged kids and adults; delivering meals to seniors and families in need; working with a non-partisan organization to inform voters; socializing with seniors; improving the quality of life for kids with cancer; planning climbing opportunities for kids with sick parents; supporting land conservation; and much more. The Fair opened employee’s minds to a wide range of service opportunities many had never imagined.   

“I can use my service hours to run a saw mill for a non-profit farm that supports beginning organic farmers? I can get down with that,” said Jonathan Morris, an interactive designer for Timberland.  “Woodworking is a hobby of mine,  and I look forward to applying those skills -- and using some big power tools -- in service to the community.”

After the Fair, many employees were motivated to take an online pledge declaring their intention to serve. In addition to serving individually, several employees also expressed interest in collaborating with their departments in team projects during the 25 Days of Service Challenge.  

“To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Path of ServiceTM program, we wanted to return to the roots of the program and equip employees to serve in ways that speak to their passions,” said Atlanta McIlwraith, senior manager community engagement and communication. “The Fair was a highly engaging and effective way to connect employees with organizations that spoke to them personally and show them all the different ways they could make their difference.” 

As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Timberland is also planning a consumer-focused activation around volunteerism and community service later in the summer.

To learn more about Timberland’s support of the communities around the globe where employees live, work and explore, visit: https://www.timberland.com/responsibility/community.html