Transforming Communities Across Europe During Vibrant Volunteer Week

DUNTON, UK – Ford colleagues across Europe stepped up to the plate in impressive style as they took time out to help local charities during Vibrant Volunteer Week.

Hundreds of kind-hearted employees rolled up their sleeves and got busy for good causes, supporting a variety of worthy projects in Germany, Romania, Spain and the UK.

From beach-cleaning, to hosting birthday parties for underprivileged kids, donating blood, and so much more, Ford volunteers really did make valuable contributions to their local communities.

Judith Kleinemeyer, Ford Philanthropy Senior Manager, Europe, told @Ford: “All our Ford colleagues truly made Vibrant Volunteer Week vibrant and impactful. Together, they completed an amazing 16 projects across the region. It's fantastic that Ford Philanthropy could support these efforts with approximately US $35K via Global Giving, but the real value is in the difference employees made on the ground as part of the Ford Volunteer Corps, Ford Philanthropy’s global volunteer program.

“They didn't just complete projects; they combined environmental awareness, sustainability, direct support for others, fantastic teamwork, and even healthy activity! It was truly inspiring to see.”

Fore more information on some, but not all of the volunteer projects, see the list below.

In Germany, Cologne-based volunteers helped to host a huge birthday party for around 100 underprivileged children aged 6-14.

Celebrating 25 years of Community Involvement, FORD HILFT, a special children's festival, was held in Cologne as part of Vibrant Volunteer Week, with the help of eight Ford volunteers and one retiree, bringing joy and activities to children and their families.

Cologne-based volunteers also helped sort donations at a charity warehouse owned by SKM Cologne, which is one of the largest social associations in Cologne. Said one volunteer: “It was a great day with you and a lot of fun - a whole different world. I will definitely come back again!"

The German Red Cross blood donation truck recently made its return to Cologne, stopping off as part of the Vibrant Volunteer Week, and plenty of colleagues turned up to do their bit, donating blood on the day. It's part of a long-running effort, with 112 such events held since 1980. To-date, around 8,200 donations have been made in total – that's over 4,000 litres of blood collected

In Spain, members of the Ford Valencia Volunteer Corps teamed with Auxilia Valencia, to take children with functional diversity challenges for a fun tour of the local Bioparc zoo for a day.  "I went with the intention of helping in any way I could,” commented one volunteer, “but the truth is that at the end of the day I ended up thinking that I was the one who had been helped. A transforming and enriching experience. A great group, wonderful people."

Valenica volunteers also joined in a massive beach cleaning exercise at Playa de la Patacona, Valencia as part of a statewide campaign called ‘La Mar de Limpio’. And, at Playa Malvarrosa, volunteers hosted a day out, including a picnic, for families facing mobility challenges.

Meanwhile, in Madrid, Ford volunteers joined the Lukas Foundation to take people with severe multiple disabilities for bike rides using specially adapted bicycles.

Also in Madrid, volunteers helped Fundación A LA PAR host an adapted-sports event for people with intellectual disabilities where participants got to try out athletics, football, basketball, pétanque, paddle, bicycles and much more.

Volunteers based at Dunton devoted their time to help maintain a therapeutic community gardening project in nearby Basildon that provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for adults, improving mental health, physical health and wellbeing. 

Dunton-based volunteers also helped to upcycle bicycles for charity Essex Pedal Power which provides free high-quality bikes to local residents as well as free learn-to-ride and cycle confidence training sessions with qualified instructors.

Other Dunton volunteers helped to maintain a garden at a respite centre garden in Rochford that helps people with profound and multiple learning difficulties fully experience sensory-rich outdoor spaces.

Elsewhere, colleagues at Halewood volunteered their time to deliver Support Belts to breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomies.

Over in in Craiova, Romania, volunteers supported a project called Future Through the Past that aims to bridge generations and strengthen community ties in Galicea Mare by reintroducing traditional games and sports.

And staying in Romania, Ford volunteers also assisted with a special programme at Bucharest High School for the Blind, helping to improve the orientation and road safety skills of 10 blind or sight-impaired students there.