GFG Sparkles with Joy: Festive Celebrations to Wrap Up 2023!

As the year draws to a close, we take a look at GFG’s various sites around the world and how our colleagues celebrated the festive season.

GFG Alliance – Dubai

The head office in Dubai rang in the holiday spirit with a spectacular office Christmas party with a Secret Santa gift exchange, Bingo and a Rock, Paper, Scissors showdown tournament that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

LIBERTY Peoria

LIBERTY Peoria hosted a Toy Drive for the Santa Bill Foundation, a nonprofit that brings Christmas joy to kids in Peoria area hospitals during the holidays.

For over 25 years, they’ve made children’s dreams come true. Every year, Santa Bill collects toys and personally delivers them to local hospital kids with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves.

This year, the team collected over 220 toys!

LIBERTY Ostrava

LIBERTY Ostrava hosted a traditional Christmas fair where our employees were able to stop by for small items under the tree and at the same time support local non-profit organisations. They chose gifts made of hand-painted porcelain and glass, honey products, various crocheted, textile or wicker products, as well as popular decorative candles or soaps.

By shopping at the stands, LIBERTY Ostrava employees supported Charita Česká Republika, Slezská Diakonie, the Pavel Novotný Foundation, Czech Beekeepers Association, and many others.

InfraBuild – Australia

InfraBuild celebrated a heart-warming Christmas giving initiative for their local RSPCA animal shelter.

In the true spirit of giving, the Newcastle Rod Mill came up with a unique and heart-warming initiative this year to celebrate Christmas. Embracing the joy of the holidays and a spirit of generosity, the Mill initiated a Christmas toy drive to collect toys and gifts for animals at the local Rutherford RSPCA shelter.

The idea behind this innovative initiative is simple yet impactful: employees were invited to bring in items that are always in need at the shelter, ranging from chew toys to blankets and treats.

LIBERTY UK

LIBERTY Rotherham sites contributed to Liberty’s Christmas Food Drive. The foodbank we supported this year is the Rotherham Foodbank, who have fed over 1100 people in crisis this year, and have donated over 35 tonnes worth of food in emergency food parcels.

“We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

We operate a collection only service on a Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm. Clients come to us with a voucher code, and we supply the food parcel. We are almost 100% volunteer operated with the exception of 2 paid staff members and all are hard workers, friendly faces, and just want to give back to the community and help people out,” Ryan Jones, Shift Manager.

In the uncertain times we live in, it’s great to see Liberty sites getting involved with such projects. A great effort this year, well done to all involved.

ALVANCE British Aluminium

There were series of festive events to mark the season of giving at ALVANCE, with the spirit of community and generosity truly embodying the holidays.

Love in a Box – the team donated to Lochaber’s Love in a Box charity once again this festive season. Love in a Box Lochaber is a voluntary group made up of local individuals who distribute donated Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children around Lochaber. Through staff fundraising events of the Social Committee, they were able to purchase a fantastic array of gifts for all different ages.

Christmas Jumper Day – The team celebrated Christmas Jumper Day to raise some money for local charity, Lochaber Foodbank. There was a fantastic array of Christmas jumpers on display, with staff joining in the festivities. To mark the occasion, they hosted a get together with some mince pies, where colleagues enjoyed a good catch up while raising money for a worthy cause.

Finally, the Social Committee arranged the legendary annual, staff party for children. The Caol Community Centre was filled with laughter and joy as nearly 60 children received presents from Santa himself!