FIEGE presents Volunteer Award to employees

If it weren’t for volunteering, (almost) nothing would get done: many associations, establishments and other organisations can only exist because of the work of volunteers. Numerous employees at the logistics company Fiege dedicate their free time to various worthy causes in different areas of society. The company’s very own foundation – the Josef Fiege Stiftung – awarded the Fiege Volunteer Award for the fourth time, a prize that aims to promote and honour the commitment of employees.

Jens Fiege, who has been running the fifth-generation, 150-year-old family business with his cousin, Felix Fiege says: “It is highly impressive what our colleagues do in their free time to help others. With this Volunteer Award, we not only wish to extend a well-deserved recognition for such commitment, but also offer a stage to the volunteering involvement of our colleagues. After all, it is crucial that we talk about the work of volunteers and draw the attention to this of as many people as possible, both inside the company as well as outside. Our team consists of 23,000 colleagues – and all together, we can set a lot in motion.”

Felix Fiege adds: “In these times in particular, the volunteering involvement on the part of our colleagues cannot be overemphasised. It is exciting to get to know the many people and faces behind all the great projects. And it is important to value and to recognise volunteering because such day-to-day dedication is not to be taken for granted. Therefore, we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our colleagues who work as volunteers and do a lot of good.”

In total, five Fiege employees received the Volunteer Award. The first place comes with 1,000 euros worth in prize money and went to Franziska Klopp. The employee working at the branch in Neuss volunteers as a member of the board at Grevenbroicher Helfer mit Herz e.V., which since recently goes by the name of We go first e.V. The association actively helped with providing flood relief in the Ahr Valley, but by now operates far beyond the region, for example in Ukraine, Slovenia, or Turkey. Franziska Klopp outlines the work of the association as follows: “The Ahr Valley was so to speak the starting point for our association. By now, our aid extends world-wide. The unimaginable suffering of people in the flooded area was deeply saddening to us and drives us to help wherever we can. From clearing up to demolition and prying things open, to building playgrounds or Christmas campaigns, and having a sympathetic ear for those affected – we simply want to be there for the people.”

Next to the main prize, four second places were awarded, each with 500 euros in prize money. The award winners were chosen by Uschi Fiege and Lisa Fiege as well as the foundation’s governing board composed of Martina Schlottbom, Kai Alfermann, Christoph Mangelmans and Frank Sievers. Alfermann says: “This year, again, it was very difficult for us to choose the winner because every single project and volunteering commitment is worthy of recognition. In total, we received more than 25 submissions. We wish to expressly thank all colleagues for sharing their story and their involvement with us.”

Klaus Lüstraeten, Head of Group IT Information Management & Digitalisation at the Fiege location in Mönchengladbach, was recognised for his involvement with the local group of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief – Technisches Hilfswerk – in Geldern. Mustafa Ali-Abdi, a student employee with Business Development in Greven, received his Volunteer Award for his work as a co-ordinator and social media officer with Nimo Foundation e.V. The association advocates for families in need living in crisis areas. Robert Rudi also received an award. Robert volunteers within public relations of Bunter Kreis Münsterland e.V., an association which helps families with critically ill children with receiving the necessary aftercare. And Alena Schlösser, a member of the Customer Service team of Fiege in Worms, was honoured for her involvement with Treffpunkt – Deutsche Stiftung für junge Erwachsene mit Krebs in Heidelberg, which acts as a contact point for young people to mutually support each other through shared campaigns and informational events.