Sun Microsystems, Inc. and the Sun Foundation invite employees and their families to join its “Share the Opportunity” initiative, a program aimed at reaching communities in need through global giving, monetary grants, equipment donation and volunteerism. Led by Sun President and Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Schwartz, over 40 Share the Opportunity projects will take place during Sun’s annual worldwide volunteer week (April 22-29). Employees worldwide will contribute their time and energy in a company-wide effort to create opportunities that drive participation, collaboration, economic growth and social progress.

“Opening the power of the Internet to the broadest community possible leads to economic and social progress for all participants — and the largest companies on earth have a responsibility to help those in need participate,” said Schwartz. “Sun encourages its 38,000 global employees to give back to their communities — whether they are mentoring the next wave of young technologists, cleaning up the environment, rebuilding homes or creating the technologies that will expand the reach and power of the network to those who need it most. I applaud their passion and drive towards bridging the digital divide.”

As president of the Sun Foundation, Schwartz will also be capping off the week by volunteering at Blacow Elementary School in Fremont, California, where Sun provided a technology education grant that equipped the school with Sun servers, SunRays, software and network administrative training. Schwartz will be working with first and second grade students in their computer lab, tutoring the students in technology, guiding them to kid-friendly sites and giving them tips on Internet safety.

Sun’s Share the Opportunity and Worldwide Volunteer Week projects include:

— California: Hosting a “Girls in Technology” visit at Menlo Park
campus — Underrepresented high school girls will receive support
services from Sun and the Foundation of College Education; Painting
project at the Tri-City Homeless Shelter; Sorting food at San Francisco
Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank.
— Colorado: Volunteers will be building homes with Habitat for Humanity;
Volunteering at Community Food Share; Participating in the March of
Dimes Walk America.
— Louisiana: Sun employees and their families will be working the
weekend of April 22 on a project organized by Cameron Parish Emergency
Preparedness. Employee volunteers will be assisting Cameron Parish
(destroyed by Hurricane Rita) in construction, repair and debris
removal.
— New England: Spring clean up for non-profits include: Boston Harbor
Islands Clean-up — spruce up island beaches to create a cleaner
environment; Repairs to the Paul Center, camp for physically and
emotionally challenged children; Bedford Schools Clean-up; Litter
pick-up at Bedford Minuteman Bike Trail; Painting Projects at Nashua
Children’s Home — residential group home for 46 abused and neglected
children; Nashua Soup Kitchen volunteer activities.
— Texas: Earlier in this month, nearly one thousand people gathered to
support the American Lung Association of Texas and the race to find a
cure for Asthma. Additional activity to include serving hot meals at
Resource Center of Dallas.
— Virginia: Employees will be working with the USO to help stuff care
packages to send to troops overseas.
— Canada: Volunteers will be repairing and building baby deer pen at the
Wildlife Hospital and Rehab Center in Woodbridge, Canada.
— India: Events include providing orphans and poor neighborhoods with
food, entertainment, and gifts. Camps will be set up for blood
donations and dental and eye care education.
— Scotland: Volunteers to work at the Linlithgow Local Community Center,
painting underprivileged children’s playroom and doing gardening work.