On Friday, May 21, twelve employees from the Human Resources Department of Cisco Systems Japan participated in the 3R Project for three hours at the Hands On Tokyo office. The 3R Project (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is the newest HOT project created for corporations looking for a weekday CSR event. For this project, HOT receives used amenities from a first-class hotel in Tokyo. The volunteers empty its contents into large PET bottles and put on a label which they design. The final products are delivered to HOT partners such as senior homes and children's homes. Cisco Systems Japan offered to be the first participant for the 3R Project.

During the project, they took turns sorting through boxes of used amenities, emptying the amenities into large PET bottles, and designing the labels. While they collaborated, one employee played music on his iPod, and they snacked on some sweets. Their laughter filled the HOT conference room throughout the project, and it was obvious that they were really enjoying themselves. Before they left, Senior Manager HR, David Karpelowitz gave a heartfelt speech thanking his team for participating in the 3R Project and for their daily commitment to work. He stated, "At times, it can be difficult to express gratitude to someone, but I think one good way to express gratitude is though an act of giving. Even through participating in community service such as this, we are expressing gratitude for how fortunate we are." Then, he handed out a Certificate of Appreciation to each of his team members and thanked each of them for their dedication.

 
Here are some of the comments we have received from the participants:

 
　　-I had a lot of fun. The [HandsOn] concept of volunteering when you can, doing what you can with your current resources is fantastic. I'd like to continue serving the community through their program.
　　-I really enjoyed the project. I'd like to participate in the rice ball project next time.
　　-I was able to relax and refresh myself from my daily routine. The project was amusing and I'd like to participate in future events as well.
　　-What a great way to spend time together!  Let's go again!
　　-I only volunteered for several hours but I really enjoyed myself. I am thinking about participating in the basketball project next time.
　　-Everyone got into their task during the project and it was really great. Furthermore, we were able to help people in need. What a meaningful experience!
　　-This was a valuable experience for me. Thank you!
　　-Amenities such as shampoo and lotion are necessary on a daily basis and they add up to quite a lot of money. By participating in this project, we were able to save costs for various facilities, avoid these extra amenities running into rivers and polluting them, and decrease CO2 emissions by reusing the PET bottles. Furthermore, I was able to strengthen my grip by 5kg!!
　　-It was fun!

 
On Tokyo would like to thank Cisco Systems Japan for participating in the 3R Project. The amenities are being delivered to our partners, and all the recipients so far have commented on the cute hand-drawn labels. You helped keep the world a little greener, made children and senior citizens smile, inspired Hands On Tokyo staff, and created a tighter bond amongst your team members. Your participation has created a ripple effect, and it's still going!

Asia Pacific Land (APL) is a real estate investment, development and asset management company that operates in Japan, China and other Asian markets. APL has over USD $4.7B in assets under management and is currently Japan's third-largest manager of retail property.
APL began sponsoring Hands on Tokyo three years ago. Richard Reitknecht, APL's co-founder and Group Managing Director, had this to say: 

 
"Hands on Tokyo is a wonderful organization, and we support it for two main reasons: first, it gives our employees an opportunity volunteer in their community. Volunteering is a powerful and eye-opening experience, and many of them have not had this opportunity through their previous employers. Second, Hands on Tokyo helps great local organizations gain access to volunteers, especially foreigners, who they may have had trouble finding otherwise.
 
Through Hands on Tokyo, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Special Olympics. I worked with a group of 6-12 year-olds the kids helping them learn motor skills through sports. The kids had such big smiles and hearts-it was inspiring. Our Chairman, Yuichi Katoh, has also volunteered through Hands on Tokyo, where he assisted at a home for the blind. Many of our employees have participated, and they all had a valuable experience."
Charity is a central theme among the top leadership of APL. William Schoenfeld, APL's co-founder and President, is very active in philanthropy. Through his work with the Schoenfeld Foundation, he has supported a variety of initiatives focused on poverty reduction, education and environmental protection.

 State Street is one of the world's leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. We operate in 25 countries and more than 100 geographic markets worldwide. At State Street, we believe the success of our business is linked to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

　
We engage our communities through strategic grant-making focused on education and workforce development initiatives, and we celebrate our employees' charitable priorities through our Global Outreach employee volunteer program and Matching Gift Program. State Street has been active in sponsoring Oxfam Trailwalker and Trailtrekker one of the largest fundraising events, around the globe including Hong Kong (for eleven consecutive years), Australia, Ireland and the UK. Through the Global Outreach Employee Volunteer Program, available in 34 locations, employees contributed 72,000 hours to charitable organizations in 2009. Additionally, the State Street Foundation, the charitable grant-making arm of State Street, has invested USD $600,000 in community organizations based in Tokyo over the past five years.
　

As a supporter of Hands On Atlanta, State Street is familiar with the Hands On philosophy and receptive to fostering Hands On Tokyo's mission. We started working with Hands On Tokyo in 2007 and have donated a total of USD $35,000 since then. Our charitable fund supports various activities, specifically to develop a volunteer project with a children's home. State Street employees are always ready to spend time on community-based projects and as grass-root volunteers, partnering with the community where we operate to make a better place for us all. State Street also proudly supports the work of companies like Okashiya Palette and Swan Bakery who provide opportunities for employment and self-sufficiency for those members of the community with disabilities.

　
State Street's philanthropic work in Japan is directed by James Thomas, Chairperson of State Street's Community Support Program Committee. According to James, "There is so much good energy that can be created by helping others and its positive effect is long lasting. At State Street, I am always surprised and proud of the selfless enthusiasm of so many of our staff who are eager to give their time and energy to helping the community where we work in order to make life better for all of us. State Street is particularly proud to support HOT because of the important volunteer work it does with staff and children at Wakabaryo Children's Home"

Wakaba-ryo Children's Home
    June 26 (Sat) 10:00-12:00 Full
    July 17 (Sat) 10:00-12:00
    (For ages 10 and up) 
Sponsored by:

 

 

Hakujusou Senior Home
    June 26 (Sat) 14:00-16:00
    July 17 (Sat) 14:00-16:00
    (families and children of all ages

      welcome) 

 

 

Special Olympics Bowling

In Tamachi