France
Extending kindness to sick children, displaced families and the vulnerable
The team from Aspen Notre Dame de Bondeville conducted five Mandela Day activities during the latter part of 2023 and early 2024 as is customary with the beneficiaries that they support.
Offering sick children festive cheer and delight
Les Blouses Roses entertains hospitalised patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly, through fun, creative or artistic activities. Aspen Notre Dame de Bondeville has partnered with this organisation for many years and did so again in 2023.
What could be better than looking at a sick child with eyes full of wonderment and delight? This was exactly the impact that our volunteers wanted to achieve by decorating the passages of the children’s wards at the Rouen University Hospital with sparkling light garlands and baubles for Christmas. Their action contributed to a joyful, warm atmosphere for the hospitalised little ones during the festive season.
To provide additional cheer, they also transformed the paediatric department at the Mothers’ and Children’s Pavillion at the Charles Nicolle University Hospital with beautiful Christmas decorations.
Wrapping gifts with love
The Aspen team also aligned with Restos du Cœur, better known as restaurants of the heart.
Founded by Coluche in 1985, Restos du Cœur is a voluntary organisation that is intent on fighting poverty by offering meals to impoverished people. In addition, their efforts include providing support through focused social and economic integration programmes.
Aspen’s volunteers supported this worthy cause by offering a Christmas gift wrapping service at the local King Toy – The Docks store on 15 and 16 November 2023. All proceeds from this service were donated to Restos du Cœur to assist in alleviating the plight of those who are less fortunate and hungry.
Popular solidarity clearance sale in Rouen for those in need
Le Secours Populaire (Popular Relief) was established in 1945. This organisation provides relief to people of all dispositions, religions, sexual orientations, ages and social levels who are affected by poverty, natural disasters, conflict and other unforeseen circumstances in France and in other countries. Their range of support includes food aid, educational assistance, access to and retention in housing, culture, leisure, sports and more.
Aspen participated in setting up sales stations at the largest public solidarity clearance sale of the year hosted at La Halle aux Toiles (DRC) Place de la Base Old Tower in Rouen from 17 to 19 November. All proceeds are donated to Le Secours Populaire and this solidarity sale is of particular importance for the ongoing functioning of the organisation, especially given the recent significant increase of beneficiaries.
The diversity of quality and sometimes new sale items eagerly awaited by customers is indicative of the generosity of donors who gift goods throughout the year. Decorative objects, clothing, vinyl records, crockery, toys, CDs, flea market items, and even designer clothing is sold over the weekend.
As a further gesture of support to Le Secours Populaire, Aspen volunteers set up gift wrapping stations from 11 to 14 December 2023 at the checkouts at popular FNAC in Espace du Palais in Rouen. They stood in solidarity with those who are less fortunate and offered to relieve customers of their festive season gift wrapping tasks in exchange for a donation for this worthy organisation.
