L’Oréal New Zealand’s annual Citizen’s Day took place last week on Thursday 30th August. The day is a recognition by the French-owned company of the hard work non-profits do to help those in need.
180 members of the L’Oréal New Zealand team rolled up to the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland and prepared 250,000 units of stock for donation – with a total estimated retail value of over $3 million.
The 20,000 wellbeing packs contained personal hygiene and beauty products, such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and moisturiser, along with selected beauty and personal items. These are taken for granted by some but are considered luxuries for many. The packs are donated through some New Zealand’s most well-known non-profits, including The Salvation Army, Auckland City Mission, Women’s Refuge, Ronald McDonald House and Fostering Kids NZ.
Major Pam Waugh, head of The Salvation Army’s social services, commented that the wellbeing packs are gratefully received. “As the cost of living continues to rise, often personal hygiene and beauty products become luxuries for some. For people who are struggling to feed themselves and keep their families safe, housed and clothed these gifted items will help to lift their spirits”.
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly stated that L’Oréal’s initiative is a fantastic example of how a company can make a difference for so many in need: “an act of humanity and kindness is a reminder that they are not alone and there is a community there to support them”.
Citizen’s Day is an annual event held by L’Oréal in over 70 countries around the world. It’s a day of community volunteering that enables employees to devote themselves to supporting those in need of social or environmental non-profit help. Citizen Day has been occurring since 2010, and the efforts made by 30,000 employees worldwide represent almost 170,000 hours of volunteering, with 700 non-profit organisations benefiting.
Aurelie de Cremiers, Country Manager of L’Oréal New Zealand, said she’s proud to see a growing number of L’Oréal employees lend a hand at Citizen Day every year. “For many families and individuals who are struggling, the wellbeing packs mean they won’t have to go without these essential items which often have a big impact on personal dignity and self-esteem”.
De Cremiers acknowledged that the task of preparing 20,000 wellbeing packs was ambitious, but they pulled it off. “Citizen Day is a key part of our corporate culture,” she explained. “It’s emblematic of the other forms of social impact implemented by L’Oréal”.
