Volunteer Spotlight: James Yeoh and His Playbook to Mobilizing Your Company to Donate
Inspiring Community, One Act of Kindness at a Time
At Gum Moon, volunteers and supporters are the heart of our mission to empower women, nurture families, and provide a safe, supportive home for those in need.
In this Volunteer Spotlight, we’re honored to feature James Yeoh, a Senior Reliability Engineer at Microsoft and a GIVE Champion in Seattle, whose friendship with Gloria and visit to our center turned personal care into collective action: rallying colleagues to raise $2,500 and spearhead a Bay Area Family Kit drive (baby blanket, picture book, reusable tote, small stuffed animal, baby lotion, washcloth).
James’s story shows how one champion inside a company can mobilize teammates across cities to uplift the families we serve and invites other workplaces to join in.
What first inspired you to volunteer with Gum Moon, and what keeps you motivated to stay involved?
“I have a personal relationship with Gloria who is a friend of the family. A couple years ago, I was able to visit Gum Moon to see first-hand what the organization is about. I met many people involved in keeping Gum Moon up and running (operations, teachers, volunteers, and leadership), and I was also able to meet some of the families and children whom Gum Moon serves in San Francisco and the Bay Area. While I’m volunteering as a Microsoft GIVE Champion, I want to create as much exposure as I can to contribute to this cause.”
Can you share a moment or experience at Gum Moon that was especially meaningful to you?
“Meeting the families and seeing the programs in action. It grounded the work: it’s not just numbers on a page, it’s Community.
Over time, I’ve seen a dependable, community-first system: practical help delivered with dignity, culturally responsive programs, and consistency that builds trust. That reliability made it easy to invite colleagues: every dollar or hour becomes tangible stability for families.”
Impact at a Glance
When James was selected as a Microsoft GIVE Champion, he knew exactly where to focus his team’s energy. He set a clear fundraising target, shared why the mission mattered to him personally, and paired donations with hands-on volunteering.
He reached out and organized a donation event with a presentation of Gum Moon’s mission and story.
$2,500 raised through Microsoft GIVE participation.
Colleague-led Family Kit drive supplying essentials: baby blanket, picture book, reusable tote, small stuffed animal, baby lotion, washcloth.
Volunteer momentum: James engaged teammates across Seattle and the Bay Area, turning personal purpose into corporate participation.
“Gum Moon is a unique organization serving a special demographic in the Bay Area!
One near and dear to my heart... I wish there was such an organization here in Seattle.
It’s why it is so important for the community to support Gum Moon through volunteering or corporate fundraising.”
A Playbook for Corporate Champions
1) Start with a story.
Open with why the mission matters to you (a visit, a person you met, a program you saw). James’ personal connection made colleagues care.
2) Set a concrete goal.
Pick a number (e.g., $2,500) and a timeline (e.g., one month). Share weekly updates to keep energy high.
3) Pair dollars with doing.
Host an in-kind drive (e.g., Family Kits) alongside fundraising. People love seeing exactly where help goes.
4) Activate company programs.
Use matching gifts, payroll giving, volunteer time off, and internal comms channels (Slack/Teams posts, town hall shoutouts).
5) Make it easy to say “yes.”
Provide a one-page brief, a QR code to donate, and a short list of items to bring. Offer a 30-minute “lunch & learn” with Gum Moon.
6) Celebrate and report back.
Share photos, totals raised, and what the kits or funds supported. Recognition fuels the next wave of volunteers.
How Your Company Can Partner with Gum Moon
Sponsor a Family Kit or Toy drive (we’ll share the item list and drop-off details).
Match employee giving or host a payroll-giving month.
Adopt a program day (team volunteer shift + lunch & learn).
Underwrite a milestone (program scholarship, workshop series, or cultural event).
Ready to explore a partnership or run an employee campaign?
We’d love to collaborate on a plan that fits your team’s goals and calendar!
Reach out to Gum Moon to co-design a campaign, schedule a site visit, or line up a virtual info session.
Thank you, James, for turning personal conviction into collective action and for showing how one champion inside a company can spark a movement of care!