We have a day for giving thanks. We have three for getting deals. Then, we have#GivingTuesday, a day to donate to the causes that give voice to our values and contribute to a more equitable community for everyone. Cisco is a tech company that understands the power of connections, which is why we've developed a program that enables our employees to bridge those gaps in their local communities.

Cisco employees around the world have already raised over$2M for ourBe the Bridge Campaign - a giving program that empowers our employees to give to those with uncertain access to life's necessities - in short, to "Be the Bridge" for those in need. As part of this initiative, we've set up partnerships with over 400 organizations that provide not only food, but shelter, water access, nutrition, and emergency care to those most vulnerable, globally and locally. Cisco matches cash donations dollar for dollar, and donations of volunteer time, too.  

Be the Bridge isn't the only time of year our employees give, and generously. Last year alone, Cisco employees gave a combined$12 million in donations and matched funds, including over 155,000 hours of volunteer time, to the nonprofits and causes of their choice. This year's Be the Bridge campaign puts an emphasis on supporting local organizations, some of them smaller and in need of amplification, to increase and expand offerings to the people and communities in need of their services.

In honor of#GivingTuesday, we'll be providing not only our employees, but our social media following the opportunity to Be the Bridge to these organizations each and every hour. Starting with Australia, moving to India and then up to the UK, over to Brazil, Canada, and finally the US, we'll release a tweet acknowledging the donations from our employees around the world to local organizations near them.  For every retweet, whether it's from an employee or anyone else on Twitter, we'll donate an additional$1 to those organizations, up to$10,000 (aggregate total contribution for all participating organizations). The retweet challenge closes at 6pm local time in all markets.

The locations listed below have been selected to reflect areas where Cisco has a presence and employee base. The nonprofits were selected based on employee donation trends in the past, and a genuine need for amplification of the great work that happens in local communities around the world.  If you retweet this blog post, we'll split all funds generated equally among these 37 organizations!

So, get ready toretweet, build those connections, and share with us how you plan to#BetheBridge.