Integrated in EDP’s Volunteering Program, the Christmas Campaign is a tradition that is running for 10 years in the communities where EDP is present, with the goal of humanizing Christmas for the ones in need.
Smiles that change lives
The course of action run by the EDP Volunteering Program fits within the company’s values, which work tirelessly every day to promote a greener, more inclusive, and more shared energy. Additionally, it reflects EDP’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDO), defined by the United Nations.
The developed projects stand on the following pillars:
- Social Inclusion: to live in a more just world for everyone;
- Training: to apply individual abilities on the mission of living a more sustainable future;
- Energy Inclusion: through accessible and efficient energy;
- Biodiversity: to protect the ecosystems;
- Climate Action: to bring awareness on more sustainable lifestyles.
Volunteering and the Christmas Campaign
In 2021, under the motto Atrevo-me a Fazer Sorrir, (or “I dare to make someone Smile”), EDP’s Christmas Campaign was developed around various initiatives, where some of the following are highlighted:
We are the baskets of the best
Around Christmas time, it becomes inevitable not to think about the ones who lack food. Both Portuguese and Brazilian volunteers bring smiles in the form of food baskets and organize Christmas dinners.
Presents and souvenirs offerings
Yes, Christmas belongs to the children and they are the ones that hold the most honest and spontaneous smiles. The EDP’s volunteers offer gifts to underprivileged children and youngsters, in Portugal, Spain, and countries where EDP operates.
Housing Renovation
With the mission of building dreams that generate smiles, the volunteers, in Portugal, lay their energy to the Just a Change’ avail, to bring a house back to life.
Memories of the 10th Edition of the Christmas Campaign by the EDP Volunteering
From the 10th edition, we’re saving the memory of Rui, one of the many volunteers that ensured the preparation of the Christmas baskets, moved a group of friends to participate, and that counted on the precious help of his seven-year-old daughter, Diana, responsible to make the customized postcards that decorated the offers. Rui believes that he doesn’t change lives, but rather that he warms the hearts of the underprivileged families that receive these baskets. The solidarity institutions ENTRAJUDA and CASA - a Support Center for the Homeless, the Christmas Campaign’s partners, received, from EDP, an extra basket for each basket that was donated to them. Appealing for everyone’s involvement, EDP has challenged their workforce to donate sleeping bags, destined for everyone that sleeps on the streets.
In every demographics EDP is present in (Europe, Brazil, USA), these true Christmas “miracles” happen. The goal is always the same: to humanize Christmas for the ones in need. Throughout the year, EDP’s workforce can use four hours in working hours to get involved in the promoted projects by the company, or in causes that they intend on proposing. In Spain and Brazil, for example, the Christmas Campaign brings presents to institutionalize children or those who come from deprived families. What moves us, in the words of Rita Monteiro, manager of EDP’s volunteering: “It’s the will of being close to communities and it’s the belief that our people, with what they are, with what they know, with their abilities, can in fact make a difference and transform their surrounding reality”.
Changing the world isn’t possible without people. Join us.
