5.03.2007 - 10:01am ET

(CSRwire) ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2007--The Dell Foundation recently awarded more than $150,000 to charities worldwide as part of the company's annual volunteer recognition program.

Non-profit organizations from more than a dozen countries received cash contributions in recognition of the hands-on activism of Dell employees. Dell "Volunteers of Distinction" winners were selected from a pool of global nominations, and cash grants were made by the Dell Foundation to the charities for which the employee or team of employees volunteered.

"We are convinced one of the most meaningful resources we can offer our communities is that of the Dell team's time, talent and expertise," said Lisa Huddleson, senior manager of the foundation. "The Volunteers of Distinction program is our way to encourage and reward employees who actively participate in the communities they call home."

The donations benefit nearly 100 global charities representing a spectrum of sizes and social causes. For example, the University of Texas Autism Project (UTAP) in Austin, Texas, serves as a center of excellence for services, knowledge and best practices for living and working with children with autism spectrum disorders. The grant from Dell, made in recognition of the individual volunteer efforts of Dell employee Stan Parish, will help the organization replace dated and damaged equipment essential to UTAP's programs.

In Panama, a team of 43 Dell employees devoted more than 1,000 volunteer hours during a school semester to teach local students basic business principles through Junior Achievement (JA). Consequently, the Dell Foundation made a $1,500 donation to the local JA chapter in their honor.

"It's great that Dell recognizes our volunteerism," said Robert Williams, a sales manager and the Junior Achievement site leader for Dell Latin America and a JA classroom volunteer. "But even more meaningful than personal recognition is knowing that our team's involvement is helping Junior Achievement grow in Panama and truly make a difference in the lives of so many children."

Other beneficiaries of the Dell Volunteers of Distinction program include:

• United States -- Community Partnership for the Homeless,
  Second Harvest Food Bank, the Society for Women Engineers,
  Susan G. Komen Foundation, Cascade Regional Blood Services and
  Angel Heart Foster Care Agency;
  
  
• India -- Viveka Center for Emotional Support, Ashwini
  Charitable Trust and the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and
  Democracy;
  
  
• China -- Xiamen Education Fund;
  
  
• Malaysia -- Lions Club of Seberang Jaya, Harvest Revival
  Centre and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society;
  
  
• Ireland -- Alzheimer Society and The Mission of Scouting;
  
  
• Brazil -- Casa do Jardim.

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