Johannesburg — CAF Southern Africa has launched this year's Employee Volunteer Week, to run from March 15 to 21.

CEO Colleen du Toit says that in tough times, volunteers count more than at any other time. "The downturn has brought issues of social responsibility more prominently into the public's consciousness. Companies that have not previously tried giving staff the time to volunteer should use the opportunity this volunteer week offers to do so."

Several companies have confirmed their participation, among them Absa , AngloGold Ashanti , FirstRand , Hollard, Investec , Liberty Life and Nedbank.

Rosalind Burgess is corporate social investment project coordinator at Hollard Insurance, which donates large funds to its Hollard Foundation, a section 21 organisation that supports many projects in the mid-Vaal area, specifically those caring for vulnerable children. Hollard is using the CAF employee volunteer week to get a little more hands-on.

"We have a 'payroll giving system' where employees pledge a certain amount to the 19 organisations we support ... and this money comes off their salary.

"However, during the volunteer week about 15 employees - during office hours - will go to the Rena Le Lona drop-in centre in Diepkloof, Soweto. Children come here in the afternoons and take part in arts and crafts activities."

One of the centre's requests is that its library be catalogued, and volunteers and Hollard's own librarian will help with this. "Hollard is very focused on employee volunteering. Each of our business units has identified a project they support," says Burgess.

According to Du Toit, the CAF employee volunteer week raises the public profile of volunteering and philanthropy and can enhance the profile of corporate contributions to society.

"Socially responsible companies have the best staff retention rates, provide their staff with more learning and development opportunities - and they forge better relationships with local communities as well as build their reputation as good corporate citizens," Du Toit says.

And, says Burgess: "Employees love it! They come back with a sense of helping and achieving, but also with a far greater understanding of what the children and the managers and care workers at the facilities are doing. It's quite a life-changing experience."