Direct Relief was privileged to host a diverse set of volunteers at its headquarters this year, hailing from Belgium, Nigeria, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the U.K, and the U.S. as part of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PULSE Volunteer Partnership.

The program allows a way for the company to give back more than product and cash donations, but also their greatest resource – their people – who contribute lasting value to the organizations they serve.

Launched in 2009 by the London-based pharmaceutical company, a longtime Direct Relief supporter, PULSE is GSK’s flagship skills-based volunteering initiative that matches motivated employees with a nonprofit organization for three or six months full-time. During their service term, PULSE volunteers share their corporate expertise with nonprofit staff while also gaining new skills and experiences to take back to GSK.

Direct Relief is one of 48 nonprofit partners in 36 countries benefiting from this year’s PULSE program. Nearly 400 GSK employees have served around the world over the years, with 99 fellows serving in 2013 alone.

Our Director of Information Technologies, Ross Comstock, who has worked with many of the volunteers over the years said, “The PULSE program has made us a more capable organization – stronger, faster, and smarter.”

But not only has the program benefited Direct Relief, it has also created a lasting friendship among the six volunteers, who – though part of the same company – had not met each other before. With many experiences together inside and outside of the office (including a sky-diving trip, joining a local running club, enjoying the sun and beaches, and exploring the local music scene), the group has developed a special bond with each other as well as with Direct Relief’s team over their time of service.

We’re privileged to have so many join us this year. Click on the icons below to learn more about each of the PULSE volunteers serving at Direct Relief in 2013: