Excellent response from the "Building Bridges" volunteer day
The Building Bridges initiative celebrated its fourth round on 16 September 2010. This year, more than 300 employees from companies in Braunschweig and the surrounding area took part in 61 social projects. And the presence of the VW FS AG team did not go unnoticed, with a total of 14 staff members lending their dynamic skills and commitment to two projects.
Mütterzentrum Braunschweig e.V./ Multigenerational House
Our colleagues put a great deal of thought a lot into their volunteer day. Their goal was to organise a very special, carefree excursion day where the children could forget about their daily routine and the parents and staff of the Mothers' Centre could relax.
The multifaceted programme began with a brief tour of the Mothers' Centre, in which the centre's manager provided an overview of its tasks and activities, particularly with regard to the social needs of the region. Then the group gathered in the playroom, where the children and parents drew pictures and made crafts with animal themes. After lunch, it was off to the zoo in a special charter bus. Amid pleasant temperatures, the kids were able to let off steam and pet the animals. The picnic in the zoo pavilion organised by our colleagues was also a big hit.
Deutscher Kinderschutzbund Gifhorn
After a very warm welcome by the manager and a hearty breakfast, our colleagues were highly motivated and ready to work. Their task was to build a pavilion in the garden of the Multigenerational House where the kids could eat, paint and make crafts outside.
With the help of volunteers recruited by the Kinderschutzbund and a roofing master, the team got right to work: boards were cut, bolted together and correctly assembled based on a well-internalised blueprint.
The group lunch break provided another opportunity to learn about the work being done at the Multigenerational House in Gifhorn such as ongoing projects, the kids' clothing store, the support group for children of divorce, the workshop and much more.
At the After Work Party in the conference and financial centre on Schmalbach Street - hosted by the VW FS AG for about 200 guests - the project donors and staff once again shared their experiences at this year's volunteer day and promised to be back again next year.
Sommerlochfestival 2010… sponsored by VW FS AG
Our company has been a sponsor of the Sommerlochfestival since 2002.
By supporting this event, the company and our staff are showing the world that acceptance, openness and promoting diversity are vital elements of our corporate culture where differences are respected.
At this year's Christopher Street Day parade, gays and lesbians from all over Lower Saxony marched for greater tolerance and acceptance. Our team members helped spread revelry and joy aboard the decorated parade floats of Volkswagen Financial Services AG.
QUEERdirect, the gay and lesbian association of Volkswagen Financial Services, hosted an information booth at Braunschweig’s Burgplatz, made possible through private involvement. As a primary sponsor, Volkswagen FS AG once again helped make this festival, held on the 24th and 25th July, and its numerous run-up events a reality.
In short, it was another successful event for all the participants, visitors, and Lower Saxony’s gem—the city of Braunschweig.