Alpha Bank: Corporate Social Responsibility Actions during 2013

With a heightened sense of responsibility and increasingly sensitised to the hardships of the current adverse economic juncture faced by our country, Alpha Bank continued throughout 2013 to contribute significant social work. With the participation of Volunteers from its Personnel, the Bank carried out the following:

On Sunday 26 May 2013, as part of the Alpha Bank Group Volunteer Day, during which environmental and social actions are carried out in all countries where the Group is present, a number of events were organised. Indicative such events included the collection of food supplies for donation to the “Dos Imin Simeron” Foundation in Volos, and of medicines for donation to the Karditsa Home for the Elderly.

On 28 September 2013, as part of the Bank’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility programme, three parallel social contribution events were organised in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras, to support the children sheltered in the 13 homes run by the NGO “The Smile of the Child” across Greece. Thanks to the large participation of Bank Volunteers, a total of 470 cartons with school and food supplies were collected.

The relevant items were collected, sorted and packaged for dispatch by the Bank Volunteers, and were delivered to the Organisation’s homes in Agrinion, Egion, Ancient Korinthos, Thessaloniki (Foinikas), Kareas, Corfu, Kyllini, Maroussi, Melissia, Moschato, Peristeri, Pyrgos and Chalkida (Mytikas).

The Bank’s initiatives seek to enhance all aspects of social life and to this end it collaborates with the “Philodassiki Enossi Athinon” (The Athens Society of the Friends of the Trees) in the organisation of various environmental events. More specifically, during 2013 the following were organised: two reforestation events in Mt Hymettus, three visits to the Botanical path maintained by Philodassiki within the Kessariani Aesthetic Forest, cleaning events for forest roads and paths, and the annual “Olive Picking” event.

At the same time, Alpha Bank seeks to promote culture and is actively participating in Greek cultural life and has been demonstrating for many years now its keen interest in Arts and Culture, not only by financially supporting related events but also through its Programmes and Collections. In this framework, the Bank developed the programme “The defacements that hurt”, triggered by the condition of sculptures in downtown Athens, which have suffered extensive damage and acts of vandalism, especially during the last five years. The programme’s purpose is to ensure that these sculptures and their pedestals are properly conserved and protected against future interference, and to sensitise to their presence the people passing through the Athens city centre. During 2013, two sets of sculptures were restored, located in Syntagma Square and in the precincts of the National Historical Museum, respectively. The programme will continue into 2014.

Consistent in its social contribution policy, Alpha Bank during 2013 continued its “Helping Hand” programme, under which food supplies are donated to parishes and regions in need throughout Greece. More specifically, carts containing pasta, rice, legumes, canned food, flour, olive oil, dried fruits, halva, biscuits, olives and honey were delivered to Parishes in Xanthi, Kozani, Karpenissi and Igoumenitsa in April 2013, and to Parishes of the Holy Dioceses of Nikaia, Messogaia & Lavreotiki, Kalavryta & Aigialeia, and Patras. A total of 4,000 carts were delivered during 2013.

Fully aware of the economic conditions that prevail internationally, Alpha Bank provided financial assistance to Foundations, Societies and Organisations that support those in need. With consistency and efficient planning, it allocated a share of its profits to social contribution activities, continuing to invest in education, culture, health and the environment. In addition to its financial assistance, the Bank also shipped 700 books and 60 PCs to schools and other foundations all over Greece.

Finally, during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve festive period, the Bank provided financial assistance and/or donated food supplies to the following Foundations:

•    KALLIMANOPOULIO ECCLESIASTICAL MINISTRY CENTRE OF KALAVRYTA
•    SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE IN VARI
•    SOSSIDIO HOME FOR THE ELDERLY OF VERIA
•    THE SMILE OF THE CHILD
•    HATZIKYRIAKIO CHILD CARE INSTITUTION