On 11 July 2025, the Emergency Children’s Centre in Stoczek Łukowski was buzzing—busy and brilliantly colourful. All thanks to a renovation day delivered with Colgate-Palmolive as part of their CSR efforts. This time, volunteers took on a makeover of four spaces: the kitchenette, the common room, and two children’s bedrooms. They may be “just” walls, ceilings, and a few pieces of furniture—but we know they change far more than appearances.
Colgate-Palmolive on Site—CSR with a Smile
From the early morning it was clear this employee-volunteering day would be special. After a shared breakfast and a short health-and-safety briefing, a nine-strong Colgate-Palmolive team grabbed paint, brushes, and rollers with gusto. Under the eye of an experienced technical instructor, everyone knew what to do—and there was no shortage of tasks.
In the kitchenette—used by more than 14 young residents—we repainted the walls and ceiling so shared meals could once again be a pure pleasure. In the children’s rooms for boys and girls, fresh paint brought a brighter, more cheerful energy. The biggest transformation, however, came in the common room: beyond colourful walls, new chairs and a soft rug immediately made the space feel warmer and more inviting.
More Than a Makeover
Once the painting was done, there was still cleaning to do. Tired as we were, no one complained. Every effort had a clear purpose: improving living conditions for the children and young people who call this place home. That awareness is what makes employee volunteering so powerful—it gives participants a tangible sense of agency, which is vital for building confidence in life and at work. It also shows how corporate social responsibility can deliver a real, positive impact for local communities. Initiatives like this create social value—and business value too—by developing volunteers’ soft skills and strengthening the organisational culture of companies acting in the spirit of ESG.
For us at the Foundation for Good Initiatives, efforts like these go far beyond the material environment. Above all, they express care, solidarity, and concrete support for children who, for various reasons, cannot currently live with their families. We believe that a safe, welcoming, freshly renewed space supports better relationships, wellbeing, learning, and everyday growth.
Good Energy that Lasts
When the last tools were put away and the scent of fresh paint still hung in the air, it was time for a simple, heartfelt thank-you—for the time and commitment of Colgate-Palmolive’s volunteers. We believe that, thanks to the warmth of their smiles, cold walls have gained a little more cosiness—and that their dedication will help our beneficiaries in Stoczek Łukowski feel at home in the colourful interiors, and smile at the thought that someone cares.
Colgate-Palmolive: A Partner with a Big Heart
Colgate-Palmolive has been a long-standing business partner of the Foundation for Good Initiatives, supporting children in foster care not only through renovation drives, but also via CSR initiatives such as vocational internships and participation in educational and developmental projects, including EduJourney, “First Star of Self-Reliance”, and “Parcel for a Senior”. In line with the company’s ESG strategy, the Warsaw team actively engages in employee volunteering—bringing together a community for whom helping comes naturally and corporate social responsibility is a lived value. Every joint initiative delivers more than material support: it brings presence, attention, and hope—the belief that both society and business can be changed for the better.
