From innovating life-changing technology to screening students’ vision at local schools, Alcon associates are making the world a more brilliant place, one initiative at a time. Each year, thousands of them participate in Alcon in Action (AiA), dedicating their time and talents to giving back to the communities where they live and work.

"One of my favorite quotes says, 'Happiness is only real when shared.' Alcon in Action truly brings that to life for me. There's something incredibly fulfilling and humbling about uniting with others to support those in need."

Agata Milkowska,
Global Engagement & Communications Lead, Poland

During this year’s events, over 4,500 associates helped address local health, hunger, education, and housing needs, devoting a combined 14,000+ hours to volunteering and giving back. We are inspired by their dedication to serving the underserved and delighted to share initiatives of AiA 2024 as well as thoughts from some of the outstanding people who made them possible!

"Participating in AiA has been an immensely rewarding experience for me over the past 13 years, especially this year as I proudly marked my 30th project. Leading as the Site Coordinator has allowed me to witness firsthand the positive impact our collective efforts have on our communities. It's truly an honour to be part of an initiative that embodies Alcon's commitment to giving back and making a difference."

Gabrielle Sheehan,
Administrative Assistant and Communications Specialist, Ireland

More than 60 Alcon sites across 30+ countries around the world participated in this year’s AiA initiative, each with special opportunities to make powerful impacts in the lives of people who live near and far. Each site also has unique teams and leaders who, over the course of many months, dedicated their resources and skills to initiate, coordinate, and execute projects and programs that would create significant memories and often lasting change for members of our global communities.

"Spending time with the elderly people from the local care center was lots of fun and a great experience. They looked very happy, which made me also happy to share my time with them."
"AiA was a great challenge, and we should all spend more time helping others."
"It gave me an extremely good feeling to make the elderly people happy and have fun."
"AiA is an opportunity to take time out of our schedules for important causes and to bring joy to others while having fun too."

Alcon Zug, Switzerland, Team

These sites participated in over 20 outdoor projects, caring for local environments by planting gardens, cleaning streets, collecting trash, and other sustainability-driven initiatives, including seven projects with Plastic Bank that resulted in over a ton of waste collected. Alcon Thailand made mineral sticks for wildlife and survival kits for rangers at the Kaeng Krachan National Park, and the Alcon team in Puerto Rico aided island reforestation efforts after they were devastated by hurricanes.

"On the day of the event, these volunteers worked tirelessly to care for the new trees, while learning about reforestation best practices, resulting in an impressive 2,000 trees being moved for planting. It was an afternoon full of positive energy and joy."

Maria Enid Santiago,
Customer Equipment Specialist, Puerto Rico

Other teams committed their time to packaging and serving meals for individuals who face food scarcity in their towns, cities, or neighborhoods. Several Alcon associates volunteered alongside food banks and kitchens—like our team members in Australia, who partnered with a leading food rescue organization—and ultimately provided 120,000+ meals worldwide.

"This year, it was very special to participate in an AiA initiative with a local organization that helps feed people in need in our communities, OzHarvest. Members of the Australia Surgical team managed to cook up a storm in the kitchen, and we're thankful to everyone who was involved!"

Caleb Bartolo,
Refractive Account Manager, Australia

Volunteer opportunities like these wouldn’t have been possible without the outstanding associations Alcon partners with that allow our teams to contribute to social- and sustainability-focused efforts. In 2024, Alcon supported nearly 150 non-profit organizations globally on projects ranging from creating a sensory garden for the visually impaired in Poland to donating supplies for people devastated by floods in Russia and Kazakhstan. Overall, Alcon sites participated in 16 education-based events, and more than 7,000 health kits were packaged by Alcon associates, each aiming to encourage the mental and physical wellbeing of different individuals and communities.

"Volunteering is so important, and I am glad Alcon provides us with opportunities throughout the year to volunteer at different organizations. We not only get to learn about the organization and how it helps within our community, but we also get to know and develop relationships with other co-workers we normally might not get to work with."

Sara Galosi,
Training and Development Specialist, United States

In addition to completing more than 30 building renovation projects, Alcon also joined forces once again with Habitat for Humanity at multiple sites, including in Fort Worth, Texas, and Durham, North Carolina, U.S. After partnering for nearly 25 years, we had another chance to provide local families with the opportunity to own a home, having worked on five builds together in 2024.

"Volunteering is not only a great team-building activity, but an opportunity to create meaningful change and take action to better our community. AiA is a wonderful way for associates to work together to address and support community needs. Together, we make a lasting impact on people's lives."

Katherine Waldorf,
Product Engineer, United States

Alcon’s purpose-driven people are always in action. Their dedication to progress enables us to make meaningful strides in achieving our social impact and sustainability goals by expanding access to quality eye care worldwide, as well as by giving back to the communities where they live and work all year long. Through donations, missions, partnerships, programs, and initiatives like AiA, Alcon and our associates are helping improve lives, strengthen communities, and create long-term value.

"For me, volunteering is sharing my blessings with others. I'm grateful for all the good things I have in my life, therefore it is a duty to give back what the universe has given to me. I truly believe good deeds, regardless of how small they may be, will grow to make this planet a better place. Me and my colleagues always want to stay present and do our part at AiA."

Emireé Normandia Cotto,
Customer Service Representative, Puerto Rico

Want to learn more? Check out Alcon’s latest Social Impact and Sustainability Report!