| VdS Communications Director Dr. Norbert Bernigau, along with the deputy mayors of Cologne, donated €20,000 |
The employees of VdS have welcomed the New Year with a fundraising campaign. The collection was also supported by the customers and clients of Europe´s largest Institute for Corporate Security and Safety. Thanks to this commitment, VdS Communications Director Dr. Norbert Bernigau was able to hand over a total sum of €20,000 to representatives of four voluntary charity organisations: “Make a Wish”, “Us for Children”, “The Open School of Cologne” and “The Foundation for Children with Cancer” – and this is now for the fifth year running.
A commendable contribution
The two deputy mayors of Cologne participating in the handover, Elfi Scho-Antwerpes (Social Democrat Party, SPD) and Hans-Werner Bartsch (Christian Democrat Party, CDU), stressed their “deep appreciation for the commendable contributors as well as the efforts and achievements of the voluntary organisations. It is extremely important, but especially in economically difficult times not always self-evident, that a company and especially its workforce are so committed to the common good.”
Tina Geldmacher from “The Foundation for Children with Cancer”, speaking from the foundation's “Family House” on the grounds of the University Hospital where the handover of the donations took place, was very pleased: “Thanks to the generous donation of Europe's No. 1 for Security and Safety we can help many of `our´ children to push this terrible disease in the background for at least a short while – and bring back some sunshine in their daily lives.”
Vds supports children and young people
Andreas Reimann of “The Open School of Cologne”, an inclusive Comprehensive School, said: “With your help, we are able to support a large number of children regardless of their requirements to get school leaving qualifications, and therefore help to improve and better their lives – many thanks to the VdS team.”
“On behalf of our cared for, terminally ill `Star Children´: Thank you for the very generous donation”, said Petra Gast, Managing Director of “Us for Children” support charity. “This will allow fast and unbureaucratic help for many affected families, amongst other things through the important psychosocial care and support for parents and siblings.”
Christa Mohr-Folkmer from the Board of “Make a Wish”, the German-wide organisation that fulfils the heart's desires of seriously ill children and young people, said: “Thanks to the great support of VdS we are now able to grant many more wishes and give the sick boys and girls unforgettable moments and new courage. With the help of this donation we can make many more dreams come true.”
VdS Communication Director Dr. Norbert Bernigau emphasised at the handover of the €20,000: “It pleases us greatly to hear such nice words – well deserved thanks however, belongs especially to you, the charity associations. We from the VdS team hope this donation will bring a little joy and might even be able to help in the recovery of the children and young people in your care.”