In a changing world, how can every action make a difference?

5 minute read 11 Jun. 2020
By EY Global

Ernst & Young Global Ltd.

5 minute read 11 Jun. 2020
Related topics Purpose COVID-19

Through actions both big and small, our people are helping each other, clients and society tackle COVID-19 challenges and build an even better working world.

COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to our personal and professional lives. The pandemic has caught the world by surprise and has impacted safety, health, jobs, economies, and connectivity to society, families and more.

We know we can’t control the forces of nature, but we can control how we respond. The global pandemic has been an accelerator for change, though keeping us physically apart, it has also brought us closer together to shape a new future. For us at EY, it has further accelerated the realization of our purpose, through our people’s ingenuity and their ability to reframe and reimagine what’s possible with actions both big and small, that are helping build an even better working world than before.

We are proud to share the stories of how our people continue to inspire each other, helping clients and communities in a variety of innovate and resourceful ways. Because in challenging times, we’re #BetterTogether to build a better working world.

I am so proud of how EY people are helping each other, clients and communities. These stories are testament to our resilience and drive for answers that can help reframe our future, to build an even better working world.
Carmine Di Sibio
Former EY Global Chairman and CEO
Photographic portrait of Carmine Di Sibio
Supporting daily wagers in India. Watch below.

EY Foundation set up grants of 70m Rupees to support daily wagers and offered over 5.5m meals in 11 cities.

Using blockchain to crowdfund donations for Italy’s hospitals. Watch below.

EY Foundation’s Tiziana dell’Orto and EY Italy’s Giuseppe Perrone launched a crowdfunding campaign using blockchain to raise €100,000 in donations (and counting) for Italy hospitals.

Creating a fundraising platform to source PPE in China. Watch below.

An EY team led by Albert Ng and Jack Chan created a fundraising platform for EY people to make donations to source PPE for front-line healthcare professionals.

Mobilizing a network to support medical workers and businesses in the US. Watch below.

EY’s Janet Balis mobilized her network and raised over US$14,000 in funds for meals to help medical workers, whilst supporting local restaurants in Harlem and The Bronx, New York.

Developing smart, portable ventilators in Belgium. Watch below.

EY’s Paul Eelen and Marc Cosaert connected two brothers who developed a smart, portable ventilator to the EY entrepreneurial network and provided pro-bono legal and accounting services to help launch the project.

More inspiring actions, big and small, we’re proud to share.

Varities of masks

Making masks in the US

Samantha Barba from our US team made 100 hand-sewn masks that she distributed to high-risk patients, assisted living workers and several nursing homes.

People delivery food

Delivering pizzas to NHS in the UK

Supporting the NHS, Mudassar Chaudhry from our UK team has been fundraising to deliver over 5,000 slices of pizza to four of London’s largest COVID-19 response trauma centres. 

Home - schooling

Home-schooling help in the US

Rachel DiMartino of our US team has been helping parents who are facing the challenges of home-schooling their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s been using her personal experience with five children to inspire others. 

delivering food packages

Distributing food packages in India

Praveen Sahni from our India team is partnering with multiple NGOs to distribute food packages amongst those in need during this pandemic.

Trickle down change pie chart

Donating masks in the US

As the wife of a pulmonary doctor, Kelly Kim from our US team knows the struggles of those on the front lines. Through partnering with her colleagues, Kelly and her team have donated nearly 9,000 masks. 

Trickle down change pie chart

NHS staff meals in the UK

Showing his support for his local community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ali Walji from our UK team has raised almost €9,000 to fund over 4,700 meals for NHS staff and London’s homeless. 

Volunteering at homeless shelter

Volunteering at a homeless shelter in Austrailia

Elin Smith from our Australia team has been volunteering at a homeless shelter during the pandemic, serving breakfast to the vulnerable and taking shifts away from her fellow, at-risk volunteers

supporting at local hospitals

Supporting local hospital funding in Canada

To help combat COVID-19 in his community, Sean Verret from our Canada team reached out to his network to help raise $5,000 for his local hospital foundation.

Trickle down change pie chart

Providing meals for health workers in Luxembourg

Caroline Imbaut from our Luxembourg team is providing trunks full of meals to her local hospital. 

Trickle down change pie chart

Donating PPE to medical workers in the US

Kevin Chen from our US team connected with the Ridgewood Chinese Community in Bergen County, New Jersey to organize a drive to collect PPE. Within 24 hours, the group donated over 5,000 masks, gloves and goggles to a local hospital. 

Trickle down change pie chart

Donating PPE to medical workers in China from the US

Rosh Luo of EY US procured 300 sterilized surgical masks from Guangzhou, China. Masks were donated to Contra Costa County and mailed to nurses and doctors in other counties who were also in need.  

When a crisis strikes, it often hits vulnerable groups hardest COVID-19 is no different

As the pandemic has progressed, people’s experiences of it are being shaped by existing inequalities.

Read more

 

Patient talking to doctor using a digital tablet

Summary

We know we can’t control the forces of nature, but we can control how we respond. By taking inspiring actions, EY people around the world are helping build an even better working world. Because in challenging times, we’re #BetterTogether.

About this article

By EY Global

Ernst & Young Global Ltd.

Related topics Purpose COVID-19