Boosted by more than $12 million in philanthropic grants, the IBM global family logged the equivalent of 1,000-plus years of voluntary service during 2011. Read about some of the highlights.

IBM employees used the Mission Innovation Activity Kit to explore issues of sustainability with more than 1,300 students in 40 schools throughout Bogotá and Medellín, and to brainstorm ways to build a smarter planet.

IBM employees are working with orphans at the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society Home in Malaysia as part of a year long project that is teaching kids about issues of sustainability, as well as providing them with computers so they can continue their own “green” education.

Dubai’s opulence was built on the backs of migrant workers who live in squalid labor camps outside the city. IBM volunteers have devoted themselves to making a difference in their lives.

At the Mount Kisco Child Care Center in the United States, IBM volunteers are combining the center’s commitment to children with a physical environment and curriculum that emphasizes productive harmony with their surroundings.

At the Wuhan Woman and Children Activity Center, IBM employee, Wan Xing, works to create a program to help unattended children understand what to do in dangerous or emergency situations.

IBM volunteers in the UK have been sharing their knowledge and years of business acumen with small charities, through an organization called the Small Charities Coalition (SCC), in an effort to round out the skills and capabilities of local not-for-profits.

Instead of just making a contribution for a hospital in Sierra Leone in West Africa, Gert Kroon, a manager with IBM Netherlands, developed a project that has led to sustainable solutions in healthcare and education.

In search of an ideal volunteer project as part of their Centennial Celebration of Service, IBM employees in Manila embraced the "Kariton Klasrum" (Pushcart Classroom) program to help bring education to the community’s most impoverished youngsters.

In an ongoing volunteer project to identify trees for park visitors, IBM retiree Ray Schwegel and his wife Marge place geo-tags and information on rare trees in Pennsylvania’s Tamanend Park.

In a massive, two-day volunteer effort that began during the IBM Celebration of Service Day, 120 IBM volunteers, lead by Jia (Violet) Le, helped install six solar electric systems for low-income families in California.

Mati Higuchi found a local nonprofit that helps children and families living in squalor. However, the community’s increasing needs means the organization must grow its capacity to continue being effective—Mati and IBM Catalyst grant are helping.

In Egypt, a group of IBM volunteers are helping children learn English – and helping an Egyptian NGO meet a key education initiative – by using IBM software and technology.

Paranee Reymondon decided that teaching kids about their land was the best way to protect the ecosystem. With a local nature center, and other IBM volunteers, Paranee is inspiring future environmental stewards.

Studies have shown that laughter reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort. While it won’t cure cancer, it may aid in healing. IBM IT specialist José Carlos Izaguirre Zavala and others wear red noses to bring smiles to young cancer patients.

IBM employee Sinko Choy is working with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to help bridge the digital divide and give access to digitally displaced elderly and mentally handicapped members of Hong Kong society.

IBM employee Duong Kieu Oanh partnered with the Center for Research Family Health and Community (CEFACOM) to develop an Internet Safety Education curriculum to equip students with the skills and ability to identify potential risks from Internet.

IBM Brazil executive Marcelo Zuccas expresses gratitude for daughter’s recovery by volunteering to help families with disabled children and inspires over 150 IBM colleagues to volunteer for the same non-profit organization.

Millions of people around the world have fled their countries for various reasons and sought refuge in welcoming nations. Bahram Maghsoudi volunteered for one year at an agency dedicated to helping refugees resettle in Connecticut.

With support from a Catalyst Grant, Steve Kann was joined by more than 50 volunteers on IBM’s Celebration of Service Day to expand Ability Building Center’s computer refurbishing program and increase the work hours of people with disabilities.

Since 2005, Gonzalo Cerda has used a LEGO® robotics competition to help Chilean children with cancer find a creative outlet during their treatment. Gonzalo and Fundación Nuestros Hijos received an IBM Catalyst Grant which supported the team in the 2011 contest.

In the U.K., three out of five people over 65 years have never been online. Colin Crook has organized volunteers throughout 2011 to participate in Digital Unite’s “Silver Surfers” campaign to introduce the Internet to as many older people as possible.In the UK, Colin Crook and Digital Unite use IBM grant to help seniors get online

Paul Digweed wanted to show schoolchildren the possibilities available in business and technology, so he created a 10-week program for a local primary school that explores the impacts of technology on humankind.

Many challenges face new immigrants in Spain, including how to quickly integrate into the job market. But thanks to a group of IBM volunteers, hundreds of immigrants are receiving the help they need.

IBM has more American Corporate Partner volunteers supporting veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan than any other corporation, and four of them have been declared ACP Mentors of the Month for August 2011.

IBM sales advisor Kin-Mei Seong has volunteered for five years with the organization Junior Achievement to help student entrepreneurs in Toronto, Canada, start small businesses.

Measuring results is vital for a not-for-profit, but measuring outcomes is better since they illustrate the change an organization wants to make. IBM consultant and volunteer Christian Schoen helped the Council on Aging in Michigan realize that outcomes are a more accurate way of showing success.

In Korea, HyungHwa Jang received an IBM Catalyst Grant to support technology that students with disabilities can use to better express themselves through drawings and art.

In Germany, IBM volunteers are teaching kids about the importance of their online presence and how to take advantage of – and manage – new media while also addressing privacy concerns with lessons that are relevant to teenagers.

While on vacation, Carlos Aiello discovers a home for abused and abandoned boys and makes a commitment to volunteering there twice a month, even though the boys’ home is more than 152 miles from his own.

Russ Marineau, worked for IBM for 32 years. He’s spent the last 20 years of his retirement volunteering in the local school district that all five of his children attended.

IBM engineer Larry Wiedenhoft serves as a disaster response volunteer with the American Red Cross.

IBM project manager Sema Erdem works with Europa Donna to help raise awareness of breast cancer, bringing her personal story of survival and hope to women in Europe and beyond.

Abhishek Singh works with underprivileged children in India to improve basic education.

Starting as a volunteer during Engineers Week activities in Connecticut, IBM project manager Chris Zack has kept the momentum going by leading activities for children at a local science center, at a high school designed for math and science students, and at his son’s elementary school.

To celebrate the IBM centennial day of service, Brenda Cavero, an IBM employee earlier recognized for volunteerism, led a team of volunteers in teaching environmental practices to students at the Buena Esperanza School in Lima, Peru.

Working in partnership with Destination ImagiNation, Inc. (DI), IBM employees, Tyler Sparks-Austin and Judy Wityszyn, help create a volunteer opportunity to spur Canadian students to think more creatively

In Luján, Argentina, Silvana Gonzalez was inspired by her mother’s two-time victory over cancer. Joining an organization, ALLCEC, in its mission to teach the community about cancer prevention, Silvana is showing them how social media can expand their reach and raise awareness.

On Demand Community Excellence Award winner Derya Sel’s dedication to community work is a great example of skills-based volunteerism that is making a big contribution to the future success and prosperity of many people in Turkey.

IBM employees use online chat and old-fashioned listening skills to help guide disadvantage Australian youth in a unique online mentoring program

IBM employees use online chat and old-fashioned listening skills to help guide disadvantage Australian youth in a unique online mentoring program

While on sabbatical from IBM, teaching in a remote region of India, Arindam Bhattacharyya resolved that connecting children in Kolkata with his business colleagues could have a positive impact. Today the Computer Literacy Program is IBM’s longest continuously running social outreach effort in Kolkata.

For twenty-five years, Anthony Hall, an IBM senior technical staff member, has volunteered at North Carolina State University serving on numerous boards; he led the project to fund a multi-million dollar center to prepare future educators. Along the way, Anthony overcame his own learning obstacles.

IBM employee Tommy Forsberg and his colleagues at IBM use their skills to teach women suffering from homelessness and abuse how to use a wide range of computer technology.

Three years ago Carol Ferreira was unsure what it took to be a volunteer, but after joining a service team in its project with a Brazilian AIDS center, she felt the joy of helping others. Today Carol continues as a volunteer at the Corsini Center in Campinas, Brazil helping them care for AIDS patients.

IBM employee Hope Blaythorne uses perseverance and technology to help preserve a watershed in her community.

A project manager with IBM Global Business Services understands personally what South Africa’s high crime rate means and begins volunteering for the Community Police Forum, a program initiated by local communities that has yielded fantastic results.

IBM West Africa, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Center, brought together 100 Nigerian small business entrepreneurs with 100 IBM volunteers for 100 days of mentoring.

Rina Rahmadi, an IBM professional in Indonesia, did not know what to do when she discovered her son was hearing impaired. Through self-learning she helped her son develop the ability to speak, and has created a foundation to help other parents deal with their child’s hearing impairment.

IBM retiree Peggy Hill Holton found her next “career” as a volunteer with the Norwalk Land Trust. The land trust works to balance nature and development by acquiring land and preserving it in its natural state.

When Macarena Valero got an email inviting her to be a mentor she didn’t realize it would change her life. Three years later, Macarena and an IBM teammate, Mario Mañan, are helping children at the Colegio Cardenal Caro school near Santiago, Chile see possibilities for the future.

IBM teammates Caroline Fabre and Olivier Chamberaud use their skills and passion to create an online French language course, based on everyday life situations, to help immigrants to France develop the language skills they will need to thrive in their new country.

A new flavor of volunteerism is emerging in the consulting services community of IBM Japan, Inc. It’s called “The IBM Pro Bono Project,” helping nonprofits by making the best possible use of IBM employees’ unique project management and financial planning skills.

Young women still do not think about technology as a career path as much as boys. Grace Brown, an IBM leadership development manager and chemical engineer, is showing girls that technical careers might be much more interesting and accessible than they imagined.

When searching for an approach to help his godsons, an IBM services leader finds a non-profit called Boys to Men that enriches his life while giving him a chance to enrich others.

Project managers seeking certification at IBM need to deliver something called “giveback.” IBM employee Kimberly Schmid and a colleague determine that giveback can take the form of community service and now lead an approach that promotes volunteerism.

A perennial volunteer, IBM employee Deirdre Dowling helps young girls and women get – and stay – active through sports such as Gaelic football and running.

Regine Racine-Bowen, a project manager for IBM, gets creative to show young students that engineering is exciting and fun.

IBM volunteer Beth Karos uses her project management skills to coordinate the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Three IBM employees in Peru have been dedicating whole weekends over the past two years to help children affected by family and social violence, malnutrition and other adverse circumstances.

IBM employee Dheerender Velu helps change lives by coaching homeless and excluded players for the Homeless World Cup.

A team of IBM employees in Argentina works together to help disadvantaged people improve their resumes, job search and interview skills.

IBM volunteers from India, Japan, Peru, Spain, Turkey and the United States receive the On Demand Community Excellence Award and exemplify the IBM values of dedication, innovation and trust through their volunteer efforts.

On June 15, 2011, the doors of the IBM Calgary office are being thrown open to welcome a variety of local not-for-profit organizations, as part of the Celebration of Service Day.

As a volunteer at the Greenwood Lake Food Pantry, this New York IBM employee used documentation and technology to help the organization do more and serve more people.

IBM retiree in Minnesota shares his passion for jazz and helps students in North High School host a twice–weekly show at a non–profit public radio station.

IBM volunteers team with United Way Peru to increase participation in local philanthropic activities. More than 280 IBM employees assist in six different activities offered in the program.

Mick Budge, an IBM data architect in the UK, volunteers with Daniel Bowler’s Memorial Trust Fund to improve the quality of life for children with terminal illnesses and severe disabilities.

Several IBM executives in Austria lead volunteer activities focused on education using resources from IBM’s On Demand Community; more than 400 fellow IBM employees in Austria join them in helping to make a difference.

While helping immigrants learn English in his off-hours, IBM volunteer Chris Anderson works behind the scenes during his day job to help earthquake victims in New Zealand.

Buenos Aires is home to over 4,000 IBM employees, many of whom decided to make a difference in their community. Using the web to introduce people in surrounding neighborhoods to businesses, everybody benefits from the stronger, smarter relationship.

A Toronto-based IBM employee donates her time as board Chair of Greenest City, a not-for-profit that inspires people to build healthy neighborhoods through community gardening and the celebration of food.

An IBM employee sets up a nonprofit organization to lift Ugandan farmers out of poverty by pioneering a new model that supports farmers by giving them risk-free credit so they can purchase seeds and other agricultural needs.

As a board member of TechBridge, this Georgia IBM employee’s charitable group empowers other not-for-profits to better use technology so they can do more and serve more people.

Learning French did more than introduce young Andre Luis Peres to a second language, it gave him tools for helping other Brazilians learn about the potential for a better life.

An IBM employee, himself an emigrant to Finland from the US, helps teenage Middle Eastern, African war refugees discover a sense of normalcy through photography, social media, and comradery.

An IBM volunteer leverages his position with the Junior Chamber International to help kids in Hong Kong get computers and learn about the basics of going online.

In the past five years, IBM Retiree Tom Trotter has volunteered over 5000 hours at 12 not-for-profit organizations. He has used many IBM Corporate Citizenship programs and has been recognized locally and nationally for his efforts.

A team of IBM employees in Uruguay help preschool students in Uruguay overcome technology challenges by providing new computers, software, and training to help enhance and develop the cognitive activities of students.

IBM volunteer teaches programming (including robots!) to elementary school kids, tutors parents and teachers, and gets computers for an Italian school with the goal of improving education through technology and mentoring.

From Texas to China, IBM volunteer engineers are using science, math and fun to teach the world’s children how “kool” engineering and technology careers can be no matter where they live.

Dedicated Canadian IBM volunteer applies leadership and strategic planning skills to help local Saskatchewan YMCA triple membership, add new facilities and programs, as well as raise capital for future expansion.

When natural disaster interrupts an IBM volunteer’s primary computer education mission in Pakistan and Nepal, he turns to social media to teach survival skills and gather donations to purchase lifesaving equipment.

When budget cuts cancelled a school science fair, an IBM volunteer helped put together a new experience that taught students, teachers and parents a valuable and entertaining lesson.

California’s Volunteer of the Year, an IBM scientist, mentors by mixing science with extreme activities to help disadvantaged kids succeed in school and in life.

Satish Puthanveedu, an IBM Financial Analyst, volunteers at the Government Boys High School in Chittur, giving his time, as well as money to the school, in order to give children living in poverty the chance at a better life.

Retired volunteer Peter Rose creates and instructs his own online courses, sharing his knowledge with others around the globe through the virtual University of the Third Age Online (U3AOL).

The Baltic Sea Summit in Helsinki, Finland brought together government, business, and NGOs to a summit that joined together parties who are willing to contribute to the recovery of the Baltic Sea, the world’s most polluted sea.

Centro de Orientação ao Adolescente de Campinas, an NGO that assists juvenile offenders and their families, expanded and needed help with their IT infrastructure. A team of IBM volunteers integrated COMEC’s network and improved its data storage.

IBMers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and CentrePoint – who works to create a stronger not-for-profit sector through consulting, mentoring, and knowledge sharing – have partnered together to help not-for-profits learn better project management principals.

Volunteers from IBM have an annual LEGO® robotics competition in Colombia. The volunteers guide students in programming a LEGO robot to score points on a playing surface, creating innovative solutions to problems as part of their research project.

Richard Metzger wanted to help the Theodor–Schutz Realschule with their school portfolio. Metzger developed an electronic content management system using an open source software, saving the school the costs of licenses and training.

Five IBMers volunteered to teach project management to 39 Haitian professionals at the Wentworth Institute. Those “students” are home now, training others to restore services in a nation recovering from the worst natural disaster in its history.

Naveen Prathapaneni works in schools near Hyderabad with children from preschool to high school to introduce students to technology. He developed innovative and interactive learning exercises to aid teaching and learning for preschool students.

IBM employees on assignment in Brazil wanted to help Brazilian community, which has a unique Japanese emigrant history. They used MentorPlace to connect Brazilian students of Japanese descent with volunteers on the opposite side of the globe.

Through the IBM On Demand Community volunteer program and TryScience, Wade Fode helped give students an understanding of how science impacts their lives. The program lets students and adults learn from each other using hands-on experiments.

For Romanian children without parents, the Door Foundation's Mogosoaia Center outside Bucharest provides a warm haven and a good education. IBMer Mihaela Gotia works to ensure the youngsters have adult role models andready access to the Internet.

In South Africa, many students get only basics in mathematics, science and computers. IBMer Thandiwe Masuku has organized Saturday School lessons for Grade 10 students from Ivory Park Secondary School and Realogile High School in Alexandra.

Udaya Visweswara's experiences in Indian schools left him with a desire to learn other practical aspects of science and mathematics. Visweswara introduces youngsters to everything from model rockets to the Vedic mathematics system.

Amy Berk has never served in the United States Armed Forces, but through the American Corporate Partners mentoring program, Berk helped US Army Reserve Capt. Marci T. Hodge polish her resume and prepare for a civilian career.