Some 2,400 XL employees in 22 countries worked on more than 150 projects during XL’s sixth annual Global Day of Giving.The Global Day of Giving, one of many events that XL is holding this year to mark its 25th anniversary, is dedicated to supporting the communities in which XL companies operate.Throughout the day, XL employees starting the day in Australia, moving on to India and China, through continental Europe, UK and Ireland and on to Bermuda, South America, the US and Canada offered their time, talents and expertise to others in their communities.In Bermuda, nine working groups tackled tasks for PALS, Salvation Army, Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda National Museum, Bermuda Zoo Society, Bermuda Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, SPCA and Westmeath. All projects were employee-led and organised.“XL is committed to the communities where our colleagues live and work all over the world, and the Global Day of Giving is a very tangible way to show it,” said Amanda Outerbridge, executive director of the XL Foundation.“Over the years, with thousands of people working together, we have accomplished a great deal enhancing parklands and open spaces, caring for the young and old, rehabilitating facilities, building homes, and more.”The tasks during this year’s Global Day of Giving were varied and included working with children, the homeless, the elderly and animals. Twenty-one XL employees teamed with Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) staff to cut down invasive trees and bushes on Trunk Island a long-running project to restore endemic vegetation on the Harrington Sound site.“It was hard work, but we enjoyed helping out,” said Karen Gonsalves, leader of XL’s team on the BZS project.XL staff helped BZS cull invasive plants such as casuarinas and Mexican pepper bushes. Volunteers helped pull seedlings, cut down large trees and bushes, and make containable piles ready for disposal.“Volunteers are very important for both the Bermuda Zoological Society and the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo,” said BZS Volunteer Coordinator Joanne Chisnall.Many who participated turned up for work yesterday with blisters, bruises and sore muscles, but reportedly agreed their efforts had been worth it.