To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we’re recognising the commitment thousands of AMP employees make to the community every year.
In 2017 more than 2,000 AMP employees gave back to the community through the AMP Foundation community program, including 57 employees who were recognised as AMP Unsung Heroes – those who volunteer more than 80 hours outside work or serve on the board of a charity.
In recognition of their commitment, AMP Foundation donates $3,000 to the organisations our Unsung Heroes serve.
AMP Unsung Hero Hemant Raval, a Strategic Development Manager in AMP’s Customer and Wealth Solutions team, has been a volunteer with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) since 2011.
Initially joining as a field member for Storm Damage operations, Hemant now serves in two leadership roles in the Storm Damage and Flood Rescue teams at the SES Menai unit in south-western Sydney.
While there have been many memorable volunteering experiences over the past seven years, Hemant says the recent bushfire emergency in the Menai area will stay with him forever for the sense of camaraderie and spirit he experienced within the community.
“This event demonstrated how all the emergency services including the Rural Fire Service, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, National Parks and Sutherland Council collaborated with a focus on protecting and preserving property and lives.
“I had the privilege of experiencing the resilience of the community,” says Hemant.
For anyone interested in volunteering, Hemant recommends being realistic with the time you can commit, however once the right balance with work and personal life is achieved, the rewards from volunteering are priceless.
“Serving the public through community events and operational activities has helped me to appreciate more aspects of my own life and put things into perspective. It’s knowing that I can make a positive contribution to the lives of those I volunteer with and those we serve,” says Hemant.
Similarly, Hillross Partnership Manager and Unsung Hero Sarah McCarthy is a volunteer dance teacher, assistant and stage manager for Dance Down, a dance program for young people with special needs run by Down Syndrome South Australia.
Sarah first got involved with Dance Down after watching a television documentary about a dance program in Sydney for people with special needs.
“It really inspired me at the time and I remember saying to my husband that if I ever won the lottery, I would love to start up a dance company for people with special needs. I haven't won the lottery, but I am fulfilling one of my dreams,” says Sarah, who started volunteering with Down Syndrome South Australia four years ago.
Like Hemant, Sarah believes the personal benefits of volunteering are invaluable and help keep life in perspective.
“We recently got to perform in front of more than 3,000 people at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony. Walking off stage at the end of the performance through the arena with my dance students bought tears to my eyes. They received a standing ovation and were so happy.
“I love seeing how much joy dance brings to these kids’ lives. Volunteering has helped my patience, listening skills and appreciation for what I have in life,” says Sarah.
To read more about AMP Foundation’s community programs, click here.
