Few companies would give employees time off to volunteer but A.F. Smith is going the extra mile to ensure staff lend a hand helping the community.

A.F. Smith, in existence since 1975, asked the Centre on Philanthropy to host a seminar in the workplace, teaching staff about volunteer opportunities available on the Island. The session was mandatory for all 65 staff, but it was up to each individual to sign up for a worthy cause.

According to CEO Tim Smith, the company was proud of past community giving programmes that donated money, goods and services to the needy, but wanted to do more to show they cared about the community.

"With some charities, they simply don't need the money; they needed more volunteers," said Mr. Smith, a past volunteer for Big Brothers and Sisters, Bermuda National Trust and Keep Bermuda Beautiful.

"Also at a personal level, I knew I got a lot of personal fulfilment when helping others in the community and figured why not encourage my colleagues to experience the same thing?"

So far the programme has been successful, with employees Kay Dutton, Patty Moniz, Ian Nash and Chad Stoddard taking action in the community.

The Royal Gazette is highlighting their efforts as part of our Dare to Care campaign which aims to encourage people to carry out acts of kindness whether it is giving up your bus seat for an elderly person or spending hours volunteering for a charity.

Mr. Stoddard, an accounts manager, has been involved with the S.P.C.A. since the seminar and now looks forward to spending each weekend with the animals.

He said: "Why waste an opportunity when a company is saying 'here is a day off or an hour and a half a week where you can go out and give back'?

"When you get involved with something you enjoy it doesn't feel like volunteering. To me I used to be someone that looked forward to sleeping in on Sunday morning, and now I set my alarm clock because I know the S.P.C.A is only open for a few hours on Sunday and I have to get in there early.

"I look forward to getting in there and sometimes I even go in during the week. If you are having a bad day you can go in at lunchtime and walk a dog and it makes everything that much better."

Kay Dutton, who takes 90 minutes off from work each Friday to mentor girls aged seven to ten at Prospect Primary, enjoys watching them grow and mature into young ladies.

She said: "They are excited to see us when we go. Some come running to hug you and that is very rewarding, just to see they are enjoying interacting with us every week.

"We allow them to talk about different things going on in the community or in their family life as a group or one-on one."

Ms Dutton, who is also involved with her church and other community projects, believes her boss' attitude towards volunteering has encouraged her to take part. "I've been here 16 years and (A.F. Smith) has been a very supportive company, that's why I've been here as long as I have."

She said volunteering also helps employees have a "well and balanced life knowing you are giving something back to the community".

Mr. Nash, an accounts manager, has begun the application process to start volunteering at the S.P.C.A. and was excited to work with the animals at the facility. Though only in Bermuda for four months, Mr. Nash, admitted the seminar by the Centre on Philanthropy taught him about the volunteer opportunities on the Island.

"I've never worked for a company this involved in the community," he said. "I've worked all across Canada, this is my first time being in Bermuda and I can honestly say it's great they are going to give you time off just to take part in the community.

"That is something you have always wanted to do, but most companies are never willing to say 'OK you can go home at 4 o'clock'. No (volunteering) is on your own time."

Employee Patty Moniz, a financial administrator, was able to incorporate her daughters aged 12 and 16, into her community service. She began volunteering at the Bermuda Zoological Society and is regularly sent e-mails with ways she can help.

Ms Moniz said: "I wanted to encourage my children as well and do it as a family, which I found very encouraging."

She helped BZS one week by mailing magazines and letters and recently cleaned and scrubbed turtle shells. She added: "I find that doing it with my kids will help them grow up with a positive attitude.

"I feel really good about it, I enjoy it and we are able to talk about it. It also makes them more willing to do community service, because you know people grow up and they are forced to do it, but if they have someone supporting them in the family they might enjoy it more."

All four employees are encouraging other colleagues to get on board and have become ambassadors for their chosen cause.

For more ways on how you and others can get involved with community service through the Centre on Philanthropy visit www.volunteer.bm