Giving with a ‘Giving Tree’ at Christmas in West Deptford
Some of the many bicycles donated to local children.
Christmas 2008 and it is once again the time of year when employees at Johnson Matthey’s West Deptford site in New Jersey, USA donate and distribute presents for children in needy families. Just before Christmas, 34 bicycles of all sizes, colours and types lined the pavement outside the Johnson Matthey site and hundreds of toys filled the front hallway as delivery got underway.
Every year, a Christmas tree called the ‘Giving Tree’ is put up, with each ornament bearing the wishes of a particular child. Employees pick out one or more ornaments and meet those wishes as best they can.
The gifts are part of the company’s annual donation to Gloucester County Social Services in New Jersey. The company sponsored 43 families in 2008.
The Giving Tree goes back to 1994. West Deptford employees came up with the concept themselves, developing it over the years. One feature of the programme is the number of children who ask for bicycles, which has led to a bicycle campaign where employees can either buy a bicycle and helmet for a child or donate the money for purchasing the bikes.
Year on year, employee commitment and enthusiasm to their annual Giving Tree tradition remain high. People devote significant personal time to the activity, in return for a sense of playing an important role in the local community.
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