Family Care Foundation: Goodwill Rubs Off On You, Norway

I-Care News
Advancing Global Philanthropy

A 40-foot container of humanitarian aid destined for Romania, prepared by NCHO volunteers, leaves the port in Oslo.

Students Kerenina and Meyya donate their time to help in the warehouse.

Goodwill Rubs Off On You!
Nordic Christian Help Organization, Tangen, Norway

With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the countries that now constitute the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe also experienced collapses of their respective economies and infrastructures. To date, it's predominately private charity and mission organizations from the West that are able to provide hope and assistance for the vast majority of the children and elderly, as local social services seriously lack, if they exist at all.

FCF project manager David Lykins, whose organization addresses these problems, begins, "Our annual end-of-summer shoe and clothing collection has begun, with several companies asking us for assistance in moving goods from their warehouses. This of course is a great benefit to the thousands that receive this help in the poorer countries to which it is sent."

David, an American married to a Swedish wife, continues. "As the expression goes, 'There is no such thing as a free lunch'. Everything costs something, if not in actual monetary terms, then in time, labor and expertise. Thus each shipment of the millions of dollars of donated humanitarian aid we send out each year represents a true giving from the heart from all those who have participated."

Local Norwegian businesses that act as suppliers to Nordic Christian Help Organization (NCHO) have found that the act of giving puts into motion certain dynamics of its own, the goodwill accorded the nonprofit rubbing off on them. Among the expressions of how their lives and businesses have been enriched because of it:

Supporters of the organization begin to look favorably on the company, buying its products if it will help the cause. The public at large sees the company in a different light - as one that cares about people as well as profits. The company's image is softened; its appeal to consumers grows. Such partnerships with charities can help strengthen relationships with employees, who want to feel proud of their employers.