The special part: the employees themselves decided how the donations were distributed. Their primary focus was on supporting children and families. As a result, donations went to scouts, nurseries, hospices, food banks, and shelters for people without housing – a clear reflection of the wide range of social issues that matter to Arineo and its employees.
The donation amount is a result of the company’s internal referral program, which Arineo uses to attract new colleagues. “With every successful referral, a fixed amount flows into a common fund,” explains Jennifer Emrich, recruiting specialist at Arineo. “This budget also makes our donations possible.” The choice of recipient organizations was made directly by employees at the respective offices, often with a personal connection to the organizations.
In Göttingen, donations were made to the Women’s Shelter Support Association and the Parents’ Association for Children with Cancer. The latter provides affected families with a temporary home close to the clinic where the young patients are treated.
“It’s impressive to see how strongly our colleagues are committed to social issues,” says Sarah Peters, HR Manager at Arineo. “The donations are an expression of our shared values – and a sign of solidarity with people who need support.”
Image source: Parents’ House for Children with Cancer e.V.
Caption: The photo shows a so-called avatar, which allows children, if their illness permits, to take part in their school lessons from the clinic. From left to right: Jennifer Emrich, Arineo, Laura Moser from Elternhaus, and Susanne Spellerberg, also from Arineo.
Examples of organizations we supported
Aachen
The Westwind Troop of the German Scouts of St. George (DPSG Westwind) has been doing valuable youth work in Aachen-Richterich and the surrounding area for many years. The volunteer leaders are committed to creating a space where children and young people can experience community, take on responsibility, and explore nature. From our colleague Jasmin Mattern, a former long-standing headmistress and current parent representative of the Westwind troop, we know that donations to the support association really make a difference. For example, materials can be purchased, or camps can be initially financed.
Jasmin Mattern
Bremen
The German Association of Scouts (BDP) Hulsberg in Bremen is much more than a youth center – it is a place of inclusivity, political education, and creative development. The BDP works there for young people in a way that is grassroots democratic, anti-racist, and queer-feminist. Particularly impressive is the open and low-threshold access to projects, workshops, and leisure activities – from the bicycle workshop to the summer camp. We are happy to support this consistently inclusive and socially critical youth work with our donation.
Dennis Kessler, Leon Nonnast
Butzbach
ZNM – Together Strong! e.V. is committed to helping people with centronuclear myopathies (CNM) – a group of rare muscle diseases. We were particularly touched by the story of Marla from Butzbach, who lives with the genetic disease RYR1. The association not only offers affected families a platform for information exchange and support in everyday life but also actively promotes research into therapeutic approaches. This combination of personal proximity, scientific commitment, and active solidarity convinced us to support the work of ZNM.
Stefan Bechtold
Chemnitz
The Chemnitz Early Starters Parents’ Association supports families with premature babies during a particularly sensitive phase of life. Founded by those affected and experts, the association provides individual help, information exchange, and long-term support – from the time in hospital to well beyond. We were impressed by the association’s commitment to empowering parents, providing information, and advocating for the needs of the youngest children. We want to support this valuable work with a donation.
Angela Bemmann
Düsseldorf
“Diversity. High value.” is a vibrant campaign of the Caritas Association that brings social diversity to life, and above all, creates one thing: community. In activities such as the monthly sewing café, the painting studio, or the pottery workshop, people come together, regardless of their origin, age, or social background.
What particularly moved us: the campaign embraces diversity as a way of living together. Here, encounters are created that build bridges, overcome prejudices, and make a strong community out of very different people.
Constantin Engelmann
Göttingen
The Parents’ House Göttingen offers families with seriously ill children a secure space of closeness, peace, and strength, located right next to the University Children’s Hospital. During the often-stressful treatment period, parents, siblings, and other family members can stay together, share experiences, and receive psychosocial support. We find it particularly impressive how many facets of help go beyond housing. For example, the Parents’ House has purchased mini robots, known as avatars, for children who can’t attend school for extended periods. The avatar takes the child’s place in the classroom. Using an app, the child can control the mini-robot from the hospital and participate in lessons as well as interact with teachers and classmates.
Susanne Spellerberg
Hamburg
With our donation to the Elbkinder Association of Hamburg Daycare Centers, we are supporting Hamburg’s largest daycare center provider, which lovingly cares for over 32,000 children every day, including our own children. Elbkinder stands for educational quality, diversity, and inclusion – values that we also live by and want to promote. We were particularly impressed by their commitment to children with special needs, as well as their creative projects, which provide children with early access to art, culture, and community. With our support, we want to help this valuable work continue to grow – for a strong future for our little ones.
Annekatrin Raabe
Cologne
Caritas Leverkusen provides essential social services in various areas, including support for individuals without housing, assistance to families, and care for older people. We were particularly impressed by their commitment to homeless people: with a day center, emergency shelter, and individual counseling, Caritas not only offers protection but also perspectives for a self-determined life. We also greatly value their work in migration and integration. With language courses, counseling services, and community projects, Caritas helps people with a migration background integrate into our society and actively participate.
Maximilian Mertens
Munich
Bellevue di Monaco is a unique housing and cultural center in the heart of Munich that enables refugees to arrive with dignity. With housing, educational opportunities, cultural events, and an open café, the cooperative fosters a space for people to come together, supported by volunteers and dedicated citizens. We were particularly impressed by how consistently integration, participation, and humanity are practiced here.
Thomas Hardt
Nürnberg
The Waldwichtel Nature Kindergarten in Nuremberg provides children with a very special start in life – nestled in the middle of the Reichswald (state forest), offering plenty of exercise, fresh air, and room for imagination. Whatever the weather, the children spend their mornings outside, discovering nature and learning with and from it through play. We were impressed by how consistently nature-oriented education is practiced here – with heart and creativity in a lovingly designed kindergarten in the middle of the forest.
Christian Herzler
Paderborn
The “Mother of Mercy” hospice in Paderborn accompanies terminally ill people in their last phase of life – with dignity, care, and loving attention. In a comforting environment, the team facilitates a pain-free and conscious farewell for both the guests and their relatives. As some of the costs are not covered by health insurance, the hospice is in permanent need of donations. We are glad to support this important work.
Dennis Istel
Salzburg
The TUM University Foundation promotes innovative projects beyond state funding, providing the Technical University of Munich with the flexibility it needs to respond to new challenges. It is essential to us to support excellent research, talented students, and forward-thinking ideas – because, for us, education and science are key building blocks for a sustainable and responsible society.
Claudia Hohlhut
Vienna
“Licht ins Dunkel” is one of Austria’s best-known aid campaigns, having stood for decades as a symbol of solidarity with people in need. Each year, the association supports around 400 social projects and helps families with children in need through its emergency aid fund. We were particularly impressed by how quickly, unbureaucratically, and sustainably help is provided here.
Claudia Hohlhut
Copenhagen
BROEN Denmark helps socially disadvantaged children and young people in Denmark actively participate in social life by financing membership fees and equipment for sports, music, theater, or scouting groups. The goal is to provide young people with access to positive communities and role models, thereby strengthening their self-esteem and development. We were particularly impressed by how directly and effectively BROEN builds bridges to participation, joy, and new opportunities. That is why we’re supporting this important project for the second year running.
Flemming Zahle
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