Giving

With the advent of October, we are getting into yet another Holiday season. Microsoft has kicked off the annual giving campaign. This is an annual event where our employees’ generosity coupled with the company’s dollar for dollar matching policy (up to a certain dollar amount) has made Microsoft the leader in per capita employee giving. Employees are encouraged to donate to any recognized charity and support causes near and dear to their heart.

The two causes most dear to my heart are health-care and education. I don’t want to downplay the importance of other causes but I believe health-care and education form the foundation for success in any community. You have all heard this sometime or the other – “It is better to teach someone how to fish rather than give them a fish”. Along those lines, if you can enable fundamental health care and education for any particular community, sooner or later all the right things will happen.

I strongly believe that “giving” is a personal choice. I encourage folks to consider “giving” – it could be time, money or whatever that feels right for you. That is the best thing that I ask for.

Namaste!