We’ve been waiting an entire year. Patiently, even.

We have our T-shirts ready: “Together for Good,” they say. That’s more than a slogan. It’s the entire reason behind Schwab Volunteer Week.

Over the next five days, more than 2,600 employees will volunteer an estimated 11,000 hours on 160 projects benefitting 118 charities – including many that fight poverty and promote financial well-being. In addition, Charles Schwab Foundation is putting its money where our muscle is, making an average $500 donation to each organization that is hosting a Schwab Volunteer Week project, for a grand total of $73,000 in grants.

You can join in the excitement – at least virtually – in a number of ways.

 

• Visits. Schwab Talk will drop in on various projects around the country. Maybe we’ll visit a personal finance lesson at a school or Boys & Girls Club near you. Or help women prepare for job interviews at Dress for Success. Or lay the foundation at a Habitat for Humanity build. Stay tuned for more blogging about people and projects.

 

• Visuals. Some very experienced employee photographers will document our projects and contribute photos every day. If you’re a journalist or blogger, you can download images for editorial use. Or visit the Charles Schwab Facebook page to browse through our volunteer albums.

 

• Virtual Volunteers. If you don’t follow @charlesschwab on Twitter – well, why not? Look for daily updates on our #schwabvolunteers, and retweet us to show your support for nonprofits in your community.

 

I would write more, but I have to get to my first project. I’ll be photographing Foundation President Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz with her team at the Boys & Girls Club in the Tenderloin District here in San Francisco. Joining her will be the recipients of Schwab’s 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award: Branch Manager Vicki Mueller of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Portfolio Consultant Brian Howard of Denver.

It’s going to be a busy week. Sure, the corporation gives us paid time to participate in projects. But the real value of this week can’t be measured in time, or even money.

Thousands of Schwab employees really are working “Together for Good.” And that’s all about heart.

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