“With rising concerns about disadvantaged people in our local society, Toyota Motor Europe members earnestly considered what they could contribute and came up with Project Noel. It’s been a teamwork approach”. Steve Hope, the General Manager of Environmental Affairs and Corporate Citizenship explains how the members of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) started the annual employee-led corporate social responsibility activity.
The charity project takes its name from the French word for Christmas. It began in 2013 and the teamwork snowballed to gather approximately 44,000 Euros in total donations so far. Members volunteer to offer their unique talents and ideas for the project, such as office lunchtime cake sales with a rich variety of home-made cakes and pastries. Other activities include photo taking sessions for family occasions and business profiles, yoga lessons and a piano concert at home.
The donations have been used to support people in need including the homeless, the elderly, and vulnerable families and children especially during the winter. The project collaborates with local non-profit organizations.
Given the wide area of TME’s operation, member’s cultural backgrounds are diverse. They can communicate in nearly 60 languages in total and they are keenly aware of the challenges facing wider society.
Helping people less fortunate than we are is something I believe we should just do. I engaged some of my work pals, including people who were already known for their kitchen skills. In the end I found myself with a group of 22 bakers. We all turned into artistic bakers, marketers and treasurers. Together you can accomplish more and make many friends along the way.