Helper Node Series | Building houses with Habitat for Humanity

Elastic believes in giving back, both by supporting the communities in which we live and work, and recognizing that participating in these activities can inspire and enrich our lives in unexpected ways. That’s why we offer our Elasticians volunteer time off (VTO) to foster a culture of caring.

The Helper Node blog series shines a light on the inspiring ways our Elasticians use their volunteer hours to help their community and the world at large. In this edition of the Helper Node series we hear from Jay McDonald who along with 12 other Elasticians volunteered their time to go to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and build homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Elastic just made it possible for me and 12 other Elasticians to go to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, to build two homes with the wonderful families who will eventually live in them. We carried more than 3,000 cinder blocks and 8 tons of cement mix during the week, and came away each day energized and smiling ear to ear.

This was the second volunteer trip to Central America where we partnered with Habitat for Humanity. Through the generosity of the volunteers, and in conjunction with the Charitable Donation Match Program offered at Elastic, we were able to raise $24,000 USD for Habitat for Humanity and the families they serve (in addition to the $12,000 raised from the previous trip).

We see these trips not only as an opportunity to serve the community and to pay forward our own good fortune, but also as an amazingly effective way to strengthen relationships within Elastic across departments, time zones, and borders.

Want to work for a company that cares? We’re hiring. Apply now!