Companies show they Care @ Christmas

Companies supporting this appeal can rest assured that all their gifts are genuinely appreciated and will definitely find a good home, helping keep Christmas a happy occasion for many families. So thanks to all the companies involved with Business in the Community for making Christmas special for thousands of local children.

Aileen ConeyRegional Administrator of the Society of St Vincent de Paul

Business in the Community was proud to support the Family Appeal 2007 for the third year running, to help The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul provide gits and toys for needy families across Northern Ireland.

Through the Cares @ Christmas initiative, responsible and generous companies and individuals were able to make a difference by donating gifts in an organised manner through workplaces and businesses.

 

Business Objective

Participating companies were asked to follow three simple steps to get involved in the campaign:

  • Nominate a  Cares @ Christmas coordinator(s)
  • Spread the word among employees
  • Start collecting gifts

Despite Northern Ireland being a prosperous society, many less fortunate families face a stressful Christmas and may not be able to afford toys and gifts for children. The purpose of the campaign was to give companies the chance to allow their employees to participate in a challenge, which wouldn’t involve taking up company time, resources or efforts, which would benefit hundreds of disadvantages children at this special time of year.

Major David Jackson, Leader of The Salvation Army in Ireland, explained; “Sadly, The Salvation Army is seeing a greater number of families turning to us in desperation throughout the year. They have no money for the basic necessities, and as Christmas approaches, life becomes particularly stressful. Parents want to give their children the gifts they deserve, but just don’t have the means to do it.”

As a result 45 responsible companies resolved to take part in Cares @ Christmas – a full list can be found below.

Participating Companies in the Cares @ Christmas campaign 2007:

Abacus; AES Kilroot; Almac ;Asidua; Bank of Scotland; BITC; Bombardier; Boots/IAS Smarts; Botanic Inns; Canon; Clarendon Executive; DEL; Deloitte; DFP; Diageo; Dillon Bass; Gallahers; Gilbert Ash; Grant Thornton; HBOS; HCL BPO Services; HML; Henry Denny; Hughes Christensen; Holiday Inn; Identity and Passport Office; Kainos; P&O/ Stena/ Port of Larne; Liberty IT; McGrigors; McMullen Systems; Michelin Tyres; Montupet; Mott Macdonald; NI Co-ownership; OSNI; Planning Service; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Royal and Sun Alliance; Royal Mail; RPS Consulting Engineers; Seagate; Tughans; Ulster Bank; White Young Green

Impact

  • The overall success of the event can be measured by the tremendous amount of presents collected by the 45 participating companies. An estimated 3200 presents of all shapes and sizes were donated by companies this year, which is a huge portion of the 12,000 (approx) requests for help the Family Appeal will receive this year.
  • Greater awareness of the Family Appeal charity was raised among Northern Ireland Companies
  • 1284 families with 3000 children benefited from this year’s appeal (each child, 1383 girls and 1617 boys, receives 5 presents, one main gift and four smaller ones)