August 02, 2019
Volunteering is an essential part of being an Otter employee. Giving Back is one of Otter Products' Core Values and the daily reminder to be a Servant Leader is what has helped to shape the culture of the company and transform not only communities but employees as well.
Bryan is an Otter employee who, like all Otters, has 24 hours of paid volunteer time off (VTO) to use to help nonprofits in communities around the world. Bryan decided to take his philanthropy to a global level by volunteering in Peru.
"In March of 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to Peru and bring relief to several villages alongside a group of high school students," Bryan said. "These students not only chose to sacrifice their spring break, but also spent a year fundraising in order to make this trip a reality. We spent time in both the capital of Lima visiting various 'barrios' (very impoverished neighborhoods), as well as with some neglected villages outside of the city of Cuzco. During each visit, we had the privilege of bringing joy to these forgotten regions by packing in food and toys, providing manual labor, and attempting our under-qualified hand at some street soccer. Not only did I find this experience both humbling and rewarding by directly affecting the lives of people in a completely different part of the world, but also witnessing young students serve with such passion and eagerness has left me with newfound inspiration that will last a lifetime."
Bryan's story is just one of hundreds that we get to hear every year of Otters using their time, talent, and treasure to help in causes they care about to help transform communities, people and our world! We are so proud to help Otters find their passions and connect them to something that is bigger than work. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story, Bryan!