Community Highlights
"I come to school early because my Mom goes to work. And in the morning when I come I have my favorite breakfast."Participant, School Breakfast Program
At Business Objects, we're always looking for ways to integrate the community into our business life. For many of our staff, it's an inspiring way to be part of our community. These are just a few of our current initiatives.
Fruit for Thought
Every child should have a good breakfast. And our staff are doing their part to help make that happen. In many offices, employees enjoy fresh fruit each morning for a suggested donation of 25 cents per piece. Proceeds raised fund local initiatives. For example, in Vancouver, hot breakfast programs at local inner city schools are funded. In Paris, the funds are donated to the Fondation de France's program for cancer research. It's our way of connecting employee benefits directly with a community need.
Seasonal Skyscapes
Some special artwork graces our Vancouver office. Arts Umbrella, Canada's visual and performing arts institute for young people ages 2 to 19, worked with us to create murals for an employee gathering space. Sixteen children ages 5 to 12 produced Seasonal Skyscapes, a whimsical impression of the Vancouver skyline. Business Objects funded the eight-week course for the children and made a donation to fund future arts programs for children. A special celebration brought the young artists and our employees together.
A French Celebration: Rugamba
Our French operations team is making a difference in Rwanda. Funds originally destined for a celebration were donated by employees to a welcome center for children orphaned by the civil war in 1993. Rugamba was created by Fidesco, a French nongovernmental organization that helps orphaned and homeless children integrate into a family and the community. We're helping to build a kitchen for the center. Nutritious meals are key for attracting children to the center and sustaining their development.
Campaigns
Season of Hope 2006
In December of 2006, Business Objects and its employees joined the fight against hunger. We donated more than US$300,000 to agencies acting globally and locally to provide food to people in need. In addition, more than 450 employees volunteered their time sorting food, preparing meals, delivering food hampers, and preparing gifts with local non-profit organizations.
