Fiskars and SOS Children’s Villages partnership continues
Fiskars Corp. Press Release June 12, 2014
Fiskars Group has extended its co-operation with SOS Children’s Villages in Finland with a 2 year agreement. Through the partnership Fiskars wants to support the organization’s efforts and activities for children who cannot live in their own home and children from families living in difficult circumstances.
Through the partnership Fiskars aims to support youth leaving care, i.e. young people moving from SOS Children’s Village to their first homes. One form of support is a “Fiskars Start-Kit for your Home & Kitchen”, a basic set of dishes, cutlery, pans, and other practical items, intended to help a young person develop independent living.
In 2013 Fiskars donated a total of 20 start-kits to these young people and their new homes. As a part of the kick off of the company’s 365th anniversary year last autumn, Fiskars volunteered in the spirit of community involvement by fixing up green spaces in the Kaarina SOS Children’s Village. In June 2014 Fiskars invited children and adults from two SOS Children’s Villages in Finland for a recreation day in Fiskars Village.
“During these past two years, we have seen how these concrete actions have had a positive impact on several young lives. For most of us, it is natural to receive our first set of tableware from our parents or grandparents, but not all children are that fortunate. Making the transition to adulthood is tough enough for any young person and our perspective in the co-operation is to provide support in the critical transition between childhood and adulthood”, says Max Alfthan, Chief Strategy Officer.
Fiskars Group and SOS Children’s Villages in Finland began working together in 2012 and the aim is to further develop the co-operation as a part of Fiskars sustainability programs. “Children – our future” represents one of Fiskars’ philanthropic focus areas and as a responsible company Fiskars is committed to contribute to the communities in which it operates.
For further information
Max Alfthan, Chief Strategy Officer, tel. +358 204 39 5262
SOS Children’s Villages
Founded in 1962, SOS Children’s Village Association in Finland is a member of the international SOS Children’s Villages child protection association. The task of the Association is to help children and adolescents grow up in a family. SOS Children’s Village provides open welfare and foster care services in Children’s Villages and the Youth House. The Association employs approximately 170 professionals.
Fiskars 365 – celebrating centuries of pride, passion and design. Every day.
Established in 1649 as an ironworks in a small Finnish village, Fiskars has grown to be a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors. Available in more than 60 countries, Fiskars products solve everyday problems, making daily home, garden and outdoor projects easier and more enjoyable through their superior performance and design. Fiskars is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, and in 2013 the company’s net sales were 799 million euro. The group’s key international brands are Fiskars, Iittala and Gerber. www.fiskarsgroup.com/365