E.ON employees teach the children about energy during the “E.ON Voluntary Week”
Among the voluntary activities during the week of 19-22 October this year, nearly 200 E.ON employees teach lessons on energy to the children in several towns in Transylvania and Moldova. In order to draw the children’s interest and attention, they will be involved by the E.ON volunteers in interactive games and practical exercises regarding the safe use of electricity and natural gas.
The Social Responsibility, including voluntary work, is one of the values which characterises the E.ON Group spirit. Therefore, E.ON România encourage their employees to voluntary involve in civic activities, in order to use their experience, time and skills for the use of the community within which we work. Voluntary work offers not only personal development opportunities, chances to apply own knowledge and skills, but also real possibilities to prove empathy and responsibility for those around us.
”E.ON Voluntary Week” is a corporate social responsibility activity by which the almost 200 employees of E.ON Companies chose to perform educational activities targeting children in the kindergarten and primary education. In this action over 600 children from several schools in Alba-Iulia, Sibiu, Reşiţa, Timişoara, Târgu Mureş, Bacău, Botoşani, Bistriţa, Cluj-Napoca, Baia-Mare, Câmpia Turzii and Luduş are involved, as well as children in social care institutions of Rhema Foundation in Târgu Mureş and of Caritas foundation in Iaşi.
E.ON volunteers teach four classes in each class or group of children and transmit information structured of the following chapters: What is energy?, Gas and Electricity – sources of energy, Environment and The Safe Use of Electricity and Natural Gas; the educational package was prepared by E.ON Companies specialists.
In order to draw the children’s attention, information is presented through interactive games and practical exercises performed by E.ON specialists.
At the end of the activities, on 22 October, the children, more than 600 in number will receive form the E.ON voluntaries school bags, footballs and T-shirts in order to reward them for their enthusiasm and desire to acquire knowledge.
”E.ON Voluntary Week” is addressed not only to the very little, but also to adults. Therefore, through children we want to transmit to the parents information regarding the safe use of electricity and natural gas – “golden rules” we must follow when using one of the sources of energy and which help us live in a safe and clean environment.
” E.ON Voluntary Week” represents an opportunity to carry out the E.ON values and last but not least, strengthens our bond with the community, while showing our interest in the educational environment.
This corporate social responsibility is complementary to the other voluntary activities performed by the employees of E.ON Companies in România this year, the last of them being to add the finishing touches to playgrounds for children. This autumn, E.ON România and the Fundaţia pentru Societate (Foundation for Society) refurbished four playgrounds for children in Botoşani, Baia-Mare, Resiţa and Alba-Iulia, the total value of the project being of EURO 545,000.
Other voluntary activities of E.ON employees in 2009
In May this year, E.ON România supported the activities organised by the Fundaţia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (Bethany Social Services Foundation) in Iaşi, intended to stress the importance of voluntary work for the community. Our colleagues went to the leisure area of the town in order to infuse good spirits, trust and hope to children with special needs. A number of 30 children, supported and coordinated by our employees were involved in attractive games and competitions. The smile brought to the children’s faces was the most important gain obtained by the E.ON voluntaries.
Another event also addressed to the people with disabilities, the third edition of “RITTO –Turneul Internaţional de Tenis de Masă România” (Rumanian International Table Tennis Tournament), took place in Cluj-Napoca also in May this year. Our colleagues were involved both in the organisation of the tennis games, taking part in collecting the table tennis balls, as well as in directly supporting the people in order to serve meals. The voluntary’s effort in order to give up their daily routine was rewarded by a Diploma, fully deserved, in recognition of the appreciation for those who dedicate part of their own resources in order to offer them to their fellow men.
The employees of E.ON România participated as volunteers in the „Crosul Gabriela Szabo“ “Gabriela Szabo Cross-Country” sports event which took place in May this year, in Bistriţa. As volunteers, the employees of E.ON România were involved in, and had a substantial contribution to, the organisation of the competition: they marked the ground for the race, served as race umpires and supervised the athletes during the competition. As they were involved in activities different from those specific to their workplace, the E.ON employees in Bistriţa discovered new abilities and won the appreciation and admiration of the community.
“Energy for Life” is another project which was started this year by the E.ON Group România which was successful because of the presence and participation of the employees. The Project showed that a partnership was cemented between school, children, parents and the E.ON Group România, a welcome partnership in support of our efforts towards information, awareness raising and education of the young generation. The voluntary teams of the E.ON Companies in România showed remarkable commitment, team spirit and organisational skills. The Project was also finished in the Counties of Iaşi and Suceava.
Voluntary activities of the E.ON Group in România also include other types of activities, some of them permanent. From among these we would like to mention the participation of the employees in the current activities of Rhema Foundation and Next to You Foundation (Târgu Mureş) as well as in those of the Caritas Diocese Centre – Home Care Services Programme (Iaşi, Bacău, Suceava, Neamţ, Vaslui) and the Caritas Diocese Centre – Don Bosco Children and Youth Resources Centre (Iaşi).
