Empowered to Serve: SM Cares Volunteers Rise

 As the country commemorates National Volunteerism Month, SM Cares reaffirmed its commitment to building a more compassionate, resilient, and sustainable nation through a series of volunteer-driven programs and partnerships.

With more employees joining each year, SM continues to strengthen its culture of volunteerism during Happy Walk 2025.

Throughout the year, SM employee-volunteers, tenants, and community members joined forces in outreach and sustainability efforts aimed at uplifting lives and protecting the environment. Among the highlights were large-scale coastal cleanup drives, youth-led initiatives like the Global Youth Summit, community-focused events such as the Happy Walk and ASP Angels Walk, and service-oriented employee engagements including Brigada Eskwela and Operation Tulong Express.

Each program exemplifies SM Cares’ mission to engage the community in purposeful action. In 2024, over 1,500 SM employees actively participated in various volunteer initiatives, including Angels Walk, Happy Walk, Operation Tulong Express, and Brigada Eskwela. Coastal cleanup drives mobilized more than 27,000 volunteers, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, the Global Youth Summit brought together approximately a thousand student volunteers, highlighting the power of youth engagement in driving positive change.

Driven by teamwork and compassion, SM employees work hand in hand during Operation Tulong Express.

 

These initiatives were made possible through impactful collaborations with organizations such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Global Peace Foundation, among others.

SM employee volunteers come together to clean up the coast, showing their commitment to a greener, cleaner future.

More than just events, these volunteer efforts are designed to empower individuals and foster inclusion—encouraging employees, partners, and everyday citizens to be changemakers in their own communities.

 

“Through volunteerism, we build bridges of empathy, understanding, and shared purpose. SM Cares is proud to cultivate this culture of giving back—one where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can take part in creating a better future,” said Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

A powerful display of unity, compassion, and the true spirit of volunteerism in action---thousands of volunteers come together to inspire a culture of environmental responsibility.

As SM Cares continues to champion volunteerism, the public is encouraged to join upcoming activities and discover how small acts of service can lead to big changes—one community at a time. To learn more about SM Cares’ volunteer programs and how you can take part in upcoming initiatives, visit https://linktr.ee/smcares.

 

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