Through the Samen voor Eindhoven foundation, 1600 people volunteered in 2017. That is 45% more than the year before. Most of these are employees of large companies, who have joined the foundation. Under the motto ‘dedicate one day to the Eindhoven society’, they use their knowledge and talent for somebody else. Samen voor Eindhoven (“Together for Eindhoven”) is a foundation that mediates between charities and companies, including ASML, DELA, DLL, Holland Casino Eindhoven, Philips, Philips Lighting, Rabobank Eindhoven-Veldhoven and Viggo.
This week, representatives of the participating companies and civil society organizations talked about how to activate their employees to volunteer a day during working hours. Marije Rhebergen, Sustainability Manager at DLL was one of them. “I don’t have the golden tip to let your employees volunteer”, she says. “But what DLL certainly does is make volunteering work in line with the corporate culture. No less than 50% of the employees of DLL in Eindhoven are active as volunteers.”
DLL is one of the founders of Samen voor Eindhoven since the start of the foundation. “The diversity of volunteering is also a success factor. One has a passion for the elderly, another has a passion for children or refugees. Sometimes an activity makes such an impact and the volunteer starts talking about it with colleagues. Which always leads to new volunteers. Samen voor Eindhoven has a large network and a large offer. This creates a more bonded society.”
Photo: Philips cooks with refugees via Samen voor Eindhoven.