Volunteers from the Johnson Controls Power Solutions branch in Hannover, Germany, spend the day building a 10-station climbing course for a playground open to area children after school and during school vacations.
Blue Sky Involve
Employee volunteers in Germany bring joy to schoolchildren and peace of mind to their parents
An organization called Spieltreff Märchenviertel provides a safe, friendly environment where schoolchildren in Garbsen, Germany, have the opportunity to get together and enjoy activities such as cooking clubs and adventure games. They can also receive help with homework, and get something to eat while their parents are working. These valuable programs are available after school and during summer vacations.
Spieltreff Märchenviertel wanted to enhance their playground with a climbing course so that children could have more fun in the outdoors.
Our volunteers team up with the city to make it happen
Working with project leaders from the City of Garbsen, a Blue Sky Involve team of 30 employees from the Johnson Controls Power Solutions plant and headquarters in nearby Hannover volunteered to assemble and install the new equipment, which was paid for by a project grant and a company donation. This effort was initiated and organized by the local Power Solutions Corporate Social Responsibility board, through which employees suggest projects for the company to support.
In June 2012, the team, working under expert guidance, assembled and installed 10 new items for the climbing course. Our team of 30 employees collectively contributed 200 volunteer hours to complete the job. The climbing course was finished in time for youngsters to enjoy throughout the summer school vacation period.
Smiles all around
The project was a resounding success. “It’s a great feeling to see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” said Michael Nolte, a key account manager from Power Solutions who was an active participant in the project. “You can see how grateful they are, as are their parents who have the peace of mind knowing their children are in such a safe environment.”