Community Volunteering

I have had the pleasure of volunteering at GEM’s HQ both from a personal standpoint and for corporate volunteering. From the moment you walk into their facility, their staff guides you through the volunteer activities taking place that day and goes over safety rules before heading to the warehouse section. As you walk through their warehouse, they always provide the educational piece of where the donated items come from and where it will be going. Not only do they provide a safe environment for their volunteers and staff, but they are providing much needed disaster relief to communities in need from a global aspect.

It’s easy to imagine a world where all humans have everything they need for a comfortable life, including food, health and hygiene supplies, and shelter. What’s not easy to imagine is how to provide access to these to all people. That’s where Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) comes in. They take action that results in getting supplies and items to the people that need them most. City National Bank is honored to partner with GEM to provide volunteers to assist them with their efforts. Our employees receive so much more than what they give when the volunteer with GEM. GEM provides volunteers with a personal growth opportunity, the ability to strengthen social connections with their teammates, and a sense of pride for contributing to such important work. I encourage all to partner with GEM through time, talent, and financial resources.

Partnering with GEM in assembling hygiene kits was a wonderful bonding experience for our team. We were reminded that nobody is spared from facing a calamity: from the wealthy suburbs of Los Angeles scorched by forest fires to the humble hamlets of St. Vincent ravaged by a volcanic eruption, and that our seemingly minimal efforts could still have a gargantuan impact on those affected by forces of nature beyond their control. This was an indelible experience that reminded us of our shared humanity in giving to others in need at a difficult time in their lives. Keep up the fantastic work you are doing GEM!