Does Telecom Have Heart?

By Cara Sievers

As we begin approaching the holiday season, many of us think of fun work parties, showering kids and grandkids with gifts, and in some parts of the country, cooler weather. But, do busy agents, resellers, vendors and carriers have a little extra time to partake in the season of giving by donating their time and effort to a worthy cause?

Since I’ve been writing the Personality+ column for PHONE+, I’ve heard a bit more about the philanthropic activities of those in telecom; but prior to that, there were only one or two stories per year about our those in our industry giving back to their communities. However, I recently heard one of these stories that I’d like to share with you – particularly if you’re in the Chicago area and can join in the endeavor.

The Lazy Volunteer is an organization started among friends, all of whom are now board members, as a grass roots effort to give back to the community. “The name itself was actually derived from a thought or concern I had that volunteering in the United States had been reduced to writing a check and forgetting that there was a problem – something I was very guilty of before meeting my wife,” explained Keith Tomlin, partner channel manager for XO Communications and also chairman of the board for The Lazy Volunteer. Tomlin is joined on the board by Kelly Barber of XO and Katie Else, Ian Kieninger and Shane McNamara of CDW.

The organization’s kickoff event is Toss for Tots, a Baggo tournament benefiting Children’s Cancer Research Center in Chicago. (Baggo is similar to cornhole or a beanbag toss game.) The event, primarily sponsored by XO and X4 Communications has raised approximately $15,000 in registrations and donations so far, and the goal is to reach $25,000. Due to such overwhelming and much appreciated response – Tomlin expects at least 100 people – the team has decided to make this an annual event.

“I honestly cannot think of a more worthy cause,” said Tomlin. “While we choose to focus on the Cancer Research Center this year, the children's hospital is a world-class hospital treating over 113,000 children a year from around the world.”

If you’re able to join this group in Chicago for their Toss for Tots fundraiser, the event takes place on Sept. 18, at Joe’s Sports Bar. Visit www.thelazyvolunteer.net for additional details or to register.

So, what are you doing to give back?

Channel partners, if you are involved in your own philanthropic activities, I’d like to hear about them for possible inclusion in a future story. Please send me a note at csievers@vpico.com and let me know what you’re doing to help those less fortunate and/or make our world a better place.

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