With team spirit and commitment our employees put great projects into practice

CARE stands for CHG-MERIDIAN attends to its regional environment. It is an initiative that is important to the employees at the southern German technology company and to the Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Mathias Wagner: “Social responsibility is a core element of our corporate culture. Our CARE initiative ensures that our employees’ good ideas and community work have the intended impact.”

Numerous colleagues used their creative ideas and energy to deliver fantastic projects in 2019, raising money for social causes of their choice. This strengthened team bonds and supported charities and organizations that are particularly close to our employees’ hearts.

Our office in New Mexico kicked things off on 4 January by giving children from the FUNFAI foundation an unforgettable day at the movies. They watched the classic film ‘The Grinch’ together and then the CHG team gave the children, whose parents are in prison, small presents to celebrate ‘Rosca de Reyes’ (Epiphany).

In March, our colleagues in the UK got together to raise money for Red Nose Day (Comic Relief). With red noses, cakes, and other treats for the staff, as well as Mario Kart, FIFA, Rocket League, and a quiz, the team enjoyed a very different day in the office.

In March, our colleagues in the UK got together to raise money for Red Nose Day (Comic Relief). With red noses, cakes, and other treats for the staff, as well as Mario Kart, FIFA, Rocket League, and a quiz, the team enjoyed a very different day in the office.

But that wasn’t all: The staff at CHG-MERIDIAN UK also made it their mission to raise money for research into motor neurone disease after a member of the team was personally affected by this rare and serious condition. They joined forces in September with customers from the Healthcare division to solve tricky puzzles at two escape room events. In November, they pedaled two indoor exercise bikes 520 miles – the distance from Egham in the UK to the CHG-MERIDIAN headquarters in Weingarten – raising €5,600 for the MND Association in the process.

CARE mentors at other sites worked with their teams to put on sports events that improved their own health and supported the selected social beneficiaries. In the UK, Weingarten, and Vienna, numerous colleagues pulled on their trainers and took part in sponsored runs. The number of colleagues lining up at the start of the ZF company run in Friedrichshafen (61) was twice as high as in 2018. A tennis event at HQ provided beginners with an opportunity to try out the sport and gave experienced players a chance to show off their prowess. The funds raised for the ‘Sport hilft e.V.’ (Sport Aid) association increased with every game won.

As in previous years, many of the CARE activities in 2019 revolved around food. At Easter, one team sold colorful Easter eggs in aid of the KIESEL initiative run by Caritas Oberschwaben, which provides recreational activities for children of drug addicts in treatment. With the enthusiastic support of CHG’s catering company 1881 and chocolate makers Schokoladen Ravensburg, employees once again took over the kitchen at CHG’s head office in Weingarten. Over the course of one evening they produced 80 bags of delicious Christmas goodies that were then sold in the cafeteria. This year, the proceeds went to the Ravensburg Clowns group.  

Between them, the staff of CHG-MERIDIAN delivered some fantastic events in 2019 and made a real difference. The Company has lots of plans for the coming year, and in particular would like to see even more projects rolled out in other countries. This will foster a stronger team spirit between the staff and also benefit the regions in which our international groupis represented.