France

Small gestures make a big difference

As in previous years, Aspen Notre Dame de Bondeville’s team continued to engage in worthy initiatives in support of Mandela Day.

They have established a long-standing partnership with Les Blouses Roses and Les Restos du Cœur, and in November 2024 they once again participated in environmental efforts to clean the banks of the Cailly river to maintain a proper flow of water, and to ensure the ecological preservation of the area.

Creating Christmas spirit for hospitalised children

In collaboration with Les Blouses Roses, Aspen brought some Christmas spirit to young patients at the Peadiatric Department of the Rouen University Hospital (CHU de Rouen). Twelve volunteers generously decorated the halls of the department which transformed this sterile area into a joyful, warm space for the grateful medical staff and children who would be spending the festive season at the facility. This action demonstrated that all gestures – no matter how great or small, have the potential to positively impact others and contribute towards improving their well-being.

Raising funds by wrapping gifts

Ten volunteers from Aspen took on the role of Santa’s elves by wrapping gifts to raise funds for Restos du Cœur. Over the period of a week they were based at Docks 76 in Rouen (exactly 4,509.51 km from the North Pole!) as they brought the magic of Christmas to life for local shoppers. Thanks to this heartwarming initiative, a welcomed donation was handed over to Restos du Cœur, to assist them in their initiatives to provide various forms of support to vulnerable individuals.

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.