AT&T’s Community Impact Award recognizes employees who are serving their communities through exemplary acts of volunteerism

Our employees’ spirit of service permeates our culture and defines who we are as a company and as individuals. Even amidst personal struggles and hardships faced over the last year, our employees have continued to volunteer and serve their communities during a year when it was needed most.

Now in its second year, our Community Impact Award recognizes employees who are truly making a difference in their communities.  AT&T, AT&T Mexico, Vrio and WarnerMedia employees cast thousands of votes and selected 4 winners who are living out our core value of “Make a Difference”.

“Their inspiring stories validate how one person can make a difference, and when we work together, that difference is amplified,” says AT&T Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP-Corporate Social Responsibility, Charlene Lake. “This honor aligns well with our values and company culture, especially for how we win as one.  There are many stories that serve as examples for all employees to aspire to.”

We’re pleased to introduce you to our 2020 Community Impact Award winners. Click below to read their stories: 

Norma Doyle          Mayté Piña

Diana María Correa          Martha L. Velásquez

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Spotlight on Norma Doyle, AT&T

Working towards a better place to live

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DE ANZA, California - As the De Anza Chapter president of the AT&T Pioneers volunteer network, Norma works to make her community a better place to live by organizing volunteer events to help homeless youth, nursing home residents, a blind community center, veterans, and animals. Norma hasn’t let Covid-19 restrictions slow her down, and she continues to brighten the days of nursing home residents while maintaining safety for this vulnerable population. She is also preparing for her third year of working with Wreaths Across America, ensuring that every veteran has a wreath on their grave around the holidays.

“People want to feel the human connection,” she says. “I love to bring hope to the people I support, and to the volunteers who help make everything we do possible.”  Norma says her greatest joy as a volunteer is getting a genuine look of thanks or a hug from a recipient or a fellow volunteer.

“I come from a military family, and I understand the struggles, such as the constant moving and challenge of making new friends. It’s tough all around. That’s why whenever there is a need to support our military, we’re right there for special events like Wreaths Across America, Honor Flight, 9/11 commemorative events, and Carry The Load.”

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Spotlight on Mayté Piña, AT&T México

Changing the game by helping others

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MEXICO CITY - Mayté Piña is an example of how to change the game by helping others.  Her son was born with health complications and had to be hospitalized at birth. Mayté began donating breast milk for a baby who was hospitalized alongside her son. Later, she approached the milk bank of the National Institute of Perinatology, where there are nearly 100 hospitalized babies whose mothers have an illness or some other difficulty preventing them from nursing.

Mayté has donated around 40 liters of breast milk to the Institute, which needs around 800 daily feedings of milk for all the hospitalized babies.  Mayté’s greatest insight as a volunteer is realizing that a task or gesture that seems simple or easy for her can be something that others need and deeply appreciate.

“Volunteering has taught me to remain calm and patient during challenges, because there’s always a way out. Most importantly, I’ve learned to call for help when I need to; I’ve now seen that there are a lot of good people out there willing to help during difficult times,” she says. 

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Spotlight on Diana María Correa, Vrio

Amplifying impact with friends and colleagues

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BOGOTÁ - Diana María Correa works with vulnerable communities in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Bogotá, Colombia. Diana says she is fortunate to be working at DIRECTV, which provides her with the opportunity to support her community. In their free time, Diana and her boyfriend help families in need, by distributing gifts and groceries. Their goal is to make sure the people they support feel valued and they’ve brought together friends and colleagues from DIRECTV to participate in activities with kids in their community.

“One of the best moments I have experienced while volunteering was when a little girl thanked us for her Christmas gift, and said it was the first time she saw puppets and clowns outside the television,” she says.

“The sparkle in their eyes and their happy smiles filled my heart with joy. However, I think that being a volunteer is a great responsibility”, Diana says. “You bring more than material things, you must arrive with a smile, a hug, and a joyful spirit to let people see that there is still hope.” 

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Spotlight on Martha L. Velásquez, WarnerMedia

Leading with kindness

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WEST NEW YORK, NJ - Martha has been serving her community in numerous roles since she was a teenager. She is a passionate advocate for the youth and is committed to mentoring school-aged children. For more than 20 years, she has taught religious education in her church. During her tenure at HBO, Martha also actively volunteered with numerous organizations, including HEAF, LPZ Cinetech, Educational Video Center, Room To Grow, Polished Angels, NYC Mentoring Program and The Student Leadership Network.

“Volunteering has been a part of my life as it was an example set by my parents and my parish community”, Martha says. 

“The volunteering experience that has resonated with me the most is teaching a little boy who was kicking and screaming when his mom dragged him into my Sunday school lesson for the first time. But he came back and within a few weeks he was smiling and happy to be there.  His mom pulled me aside to thank me for being a compassionate and dedicated instructor.  He had told her he wished that he could go to this school every day, because he was learning so much, and wasn’t bullied by anyone. That comment equally broke my heart and made it swell.”

“I’ve learned that it is important to be kind and patient, especially when working with children and with people in underserved communities.  Approaching people with an open mind, compassion and understanding goes a long way. Patience, empathy and kindness serves us greatly when encountering challenges with anyone or anything.”