Intel Malaysia Pays it Forward

Intel Involved Matching Grant Program Records Highest Payout of Over RM930,000

• Intel Malaysia reaffirms commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which its employees live and work.
• Intel Malaysia recognizes top Intel Involved Volunteers for clocking in over 60,000 volunteer hours under the Intel Involved Matching Grant Program.

GEORGE TOWN, June 25, 2013 – When EK Siow started setting aside time for volunteer service under the Intel Involved Matching Grant Program (IIMGP), all he wanted to do was make a small difference in the lives of others. At the IIMGP Payout and Recognition Ceremony held today, he was once again recognized as the top volunteer for 2012 – the third year in a row he has clinched the top spot.

Over the past year, Siow had spent over 800 hours volunteering - the highest contributor to the collective 60,000 hours logged in by Intel employees in 2012. With the Intel Foundation matching US$5 to each qualifying hour, last year’s payout totaled up to a matching grant of approximately US$302,000 or RM930,000 – the highest payout recorded since the program’s inception in 2006.

2012 IIMGP top 10 volunteers were all presented with an Ultrabook each in recognition for their contributions by Lee Heng Gee, Penang Assembly and Test Factory Manager (left).

“There’s certainly nothing more fulfilling than giving back to the community. Intel Foundation matching our contributions and rewarding us for it is just the icing on the cake!” said Siow in accepting his award at the recognition ceremony. Along with nine other top volunteers, Siow’s contribution was recognized at the payout ceremony with an Ultrabook – an Intel-powered high-end notebook.

“Intel Malaysia is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work,” said Lee Heng Gee, Penang Assembly and Test Factory Manager. “Last year, we announced the “1K: I’m In” campaign, a community initiative also under the Intel Involved Matching Grant Program (IIMGP), in conjunction with Intel Malaysia’s 40th year anniversary celebrations. Through this campaign, departments across Intel Malaysia were encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 1,000 hours to each school that they adopt.”

Lee Heng Gee, Penang Assembly and Test Factory Manager presenting mock cheques to representatives from the Penang State Education Department, Penang State Welfare Department and Kulim-Bandar Baharu District Education Office.

“It is always encouraging to see my fellow colleagues pitching in for causes and organizations they support. Last year, our volunteers touched a total of 30 schools and 19 NGOs throughout Penang and Kulim,” he added.

The Intel Involved Matching Grant Program was created to recognize and motivate Intel employees, globally, to engage in outreach and volunteerism to make local communities a better place to live, work, and play in. Through the program, Intel Malaysia employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and talent to qualified non-profit and non-governmental organizations, in addition to schools.

Lee Heng Gee, Penang Assembly and Test Factory Manager admiring lovely pieces of exhibited artwork contributed by an IIMGP recipient school.

Since the launch of IIMGP in 2006, Intel Foundation has disbursed approximately RM5,000,000in funds to its beneficiaries for various projects and this amounts to over 430,000 in volunteer hours by Intel employees in Malaysia to date.

Encik Ismail bin Md Isa, principal of SMK Taman Kenari, was pleasantly surprised when he found out that Intel employees contributed the most hours in his school. “In the past year alone, close to 4000 volunteer hours were contributed by Intel employees collectively. That’s almost half a year’s worth of service if we convert it into days and almost as many days as our students have classes!”

Tuan Haji Abu Bakar bin Muad, Head of Academic Management Sector, representing Tuan Haji Ahmad Tarmizi bin Kamarudin, Director of Education, Penang, said “Intel has had a long history in the state of Penang and should be recognized not only for contributing to our economy, but also to our society as well. Many lives have been touched by the volunteers and on behalf of the schools and communities; I would like to thank them for all their hard work.”