International Charity Project:
Supporting the commitment of our employees

1st place: Porte-Bonheur (Switzerland)
By fulfilling the dreams of orphan children, the Swiss “Porte Bonheur” Foundation brings them a long-awaited bit of happiness (as the name suggests). Nominated by the employees of Eckes-Granini Suisse, the Foundation will use the donated funds to provide children in an orphanage near Henniez the opportunity to spend time at a holiday camp, take part in excursions or pursue a hobby.

2nd place: Dancefloor du Bonheur (France)

Co-founded and supported by an employee of Eckes-Granini France, “Dancefloor du Bonheur” organizes musical events for charitable causes. The goal for this year is to fund the establishment of a “feel-good room” in the Haematology Department of a hospital in Lyon. The idea is to make the hospital stays of young patients suffering from leukaemia more pleasant by offering them such things as “kicker” tables, a reading area, television sets, computers and appealing furnishings.

3rd place: Turku University Hospital / Children’s Cancer Clinic (Finland)

Eckes-Granini Finland is also committed to helping children with cancer. The donation will be used to help fund the purchase of modern medical equipment in order to shorten children’s stays in the clinic and to provide toys that will contribute to a more pleasant hospital atmosphere. Visits by clinic clowns will also bring a bit of joy to the everyday lives of these severely ill children.

Special prize: Socialinai partneriai (Lithuania)

After receiving a first-place donation last year, “Socialinai partneriai” has been selected for a special prize in 2011 – the European Year of Volunteering. The Lithuanian initiative promotes the development and expansion of a network in support of volunteer social and charitable work. The donation will help support the first of a planned series of “training conventions.” 

Special prize: Köszönjük, SIÓ! (Hungary)

The second special prize goes to the “Schoolbag Programme” organized by Sió-Eckes since 2008. The painting contest for school children and classes has evolved into a highly successful initiative. The company donates 1,000 schoolbags filled with school supplies for needy children at the beginning of the school year. More and more schools have registered for participation in the contest each year.

SKC-Public Relations (Lithuania)

The goal of the Lithuanian SKC-Public Relations agency is to create a professional Internet platform for volunteer service. Eckes-Granini supports the development of this network for those already performing volunteer service as well as those who would like to become involved. Interested readers will have access to a database of volunteers, volunteer activities, current initiatives and organizations.

Lebenshilfe Hiesbach (Austria)

Eckes-Granini Austria and Lebenshilfe Hiesbach have been working together for several years. The association is committed to promoting self-determination for the physically and mentally disadvantaged. The donation helped make a dream come true, enabling twelve disabled athletes to participate in the 5th National Special Olympics in St. Pölten.

Project “young people help young people” - an initiative of the Evangelischen Freikirche Siegburg (Germany)

Eckes-Granini Deutschland has initiated a programme of funding support for the Evangelischen Freikirche Siegburg in its efforts to promote the integration of young people, primarily those of Russian descent, in the region. Sports tournaments and training opportunities are organized for children and youth. The project also offers pastoral care, support for school students and vocational counselling services.

FAIR Miteinander (Austria)
Established in as an initiative of Eckes-Granini Austria, the FAIR counselling centre for refugees, asylum-seekers and Migrants (in Amstetten) offers  training for children with different cultural backgrounds and languages. The programme is devoted to promoting integration and focuses on approaches to respectful, non-violent interaction among children.

Asociatión Piel des Mariposa (Spain)
Eckes-Granini Ibérica supports the annual nationwide conference sponsored by the Spanish Association of patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa. People with this genetic defect have unusually thin skin and require special medical treatment.