Alcon in Action: Strengthening Communities Around the World
November 5, 2026
time to read 5 minutes
For Alcon associates around the world, making a difference begins close to home.
Through Alcon in Action (AiA), Alcon’s annual global volunteer initiative, associates use their time and skills to support communities where they live and work. Activities are tailored to local needs and carried out in partnership with community organizations.
So far in 2026:
- More than 5,100 Alcon associates contributed 16,468 volunteer hours
- Volunteers supported 132 organizations across 72 Alcon sites
- Activities included:
- 24 education activities
- 26 housing projects
- 19 environmental health activities
- Complementing these AiA efforts, Alcon's Matching Gifts and Volunteer Incentive Program gives associates flexibility in how they give back, matches donations to eligible nonprofits.
Meeting Communities Where They Are
In Fort Worth, Texas, Alcon associates’ impact included working with Trinity Habitat for Humanity to help build three homes in the Garden Springs community. In 2026, nearly 250 associates contributed more than 1,700 volunteer hours to the project as part of the site’s annual AiA activities.
The three German Wavelight sites in Erlangen, Pressath, and Teltow offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year from supporting schools to improving playgrounds, allowing associates to participate in ways that fit their interests. Some of the most memorable moments have come from simple human connection. For example, associates accompanied residents from a nursing home on a visit to a local soccer stadium where they were able to meet the team mascot. Associates have also stepped in to support renovation projects at schools and kindergartens where limited community budgets meant extra help was especially valuable.
"For me, the best part is seeing people come together, learn from each other, and create something positive. Sometimes it's a renovated room, sometimes a child's excitement about learning something new, and sometimes it's simply a meaningful conversation that stays with you long after the day is over."
Steffi Igler, Health, Safety and Environment associate and Alcon in Action site lead for Germany
That sentiment is shared at Alcon's Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, site where associates regularly engage with nonprofit organizations in their community.
Site leader Sara Galosi works closely with Alcon's social impact teams to coordinate volunteer opportunities for approximately 100 associates each year and partners with eight to 10 different nonprofit organizations. In 2026, Sinking Spring associates supported nine volunteer activities spanning hunger, health, housing and education. Their work has included cooking and serving meals at homeless shelters, sorting donations, preparing food boxes, supporting a local food bank, assisting with senior programs and helping prepare an Easterseals camp for the summer.
For Galosi, volunteering has also offered a closer look at challenges that may exist only a few miles from the workplace. She got to see firsthand the impact AiA can make while volunteering at a local mobile market close to the Alcon facility.
"This experience opened my eyes to the widespread issue of food insecurity and the many neighbors who are affected. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of our work and the difference we can make in people's lives."
Sara Galosi, Manufacturing and Technical Operations associate and Alcon in Action site lead for Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Creating Connection in Singapore
At Alcon's Singapore sites, AiA’s participation has grown from around 80 volunteers in 2022 to around 140 volunteers in 2026.
Associates from manufacturing, commercial and regional teams have been involved in activities addressing areas including hunger, environmental sustainability, health and community well-being.
In 2025, associates spent time with seniors, accompanying them on grocery shopping trips, a particularly meaningful and engaging experience for the AiA volunteers. Building on that positive experience, leaders built the 2026 program around a similar opportunity to support seniors living on Pulau Ubin, a small island located off the northeastern coast of mainland Singapore, providing practical supplies, environmental clean-up efforts and eye health education. Associates also partnered with the National Parks Board on coastal cleanup efforts, removing approximately 250 kilograms of waste.
"AiA has shown me that the most valuable things we can give are often intangible, such as our time, attention and genuine care. It is heartwarming to see the community enjoying the experience and our associates leaving happy, fulfilled and proud of what they achieved together. Our growing volunteer turnout is a ‘good headache’ because it shows that more people want to step forward, connect with the community and make a meaningful difference."
Ivy Cheam, Legal and Compliance associate and Alcon in Action Site Lead for Singapore
Looking Ahead
Alcon sites around the world are focused on expanding participation and strengthening community partnerships, building on years of impact through AiA.
From supporting food banks and schools to spending time with seniors and improving local outdoor spaces, the activities may look different from one Alcon site to another, but they all have a shared purpose to help people Live Brilliantly.
