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Daimler 360 GRAD - FAKTEN zur Nachhaltigkeit 2008
Daimler Nachhaltigkeitsbericht 2008 / Customers and society / Social commitment / Social and cultural projects*
“Im Tennental”: Trainees team up with severely handicapped persons to build a house
The partnership between Mercedes-Benz’ Sindelfingen plant and the “Im Tennental” village community has a long
tradition. Some 200 people, including 110 severely disabled individuals between the ages of 16 and 56, live and
work in the community, which is located in the town of Deckenpfronn near Böblingen. For more than ten years
now, Daimler trainees have spent a week during their second year of training at “Im Tennental.” During this time,
they help the disabled with projects designed to improve life in the village. Among other things, trainees have
worked with community members to build new footpaths and a pond with a barbecue area. The partners have
also constructed a hay drying facility and expanded a cheese dairy on the site. Back in 2006, Daimler trainees
got together with disabled residents to erect a wood-frame house with a total area of 250 square meters that
now serves as a school for training disability support workers. The house had previously been used as a
construction shed at the Daimler plant in Sindelfingen, and the Group provided €10,000 toward the cost to move
it. The latest cooperation project involves the expansion of a woodworking shop at “Im Tennental.” The existing
shop, in which the disabled residents make wooden toys, had become too small to accommodate its output.
Along with retirees from the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant, the Daimler trainees spent three months
expanding the workshop — and were helped out wherever possible by the residents themselves. This voluntary
effort saved the community €50,000. Most of the material costs here were covered with a €20,000 donation
from the STAR CARE Stuttgart association, whose chairman, Volker Stauch, also manages the Mercedes-Benz
plants in Untertürkheim, Berlin-Marienfelde, Hamburg, and Kölleda.
STAR CARE helps kids in need
STAR CARE is an association established by Daimler employees to help sick, handicapped, neglected, and
otherwise needy children. The association is divided into five chapters within Germany that stage benefit
performances and other events to raise money for the cause. Last year, for example, the Stuttgart chapter held
its STAR CARE Night 2007. Proceeds totaling €40,000 were donated to the Diakonie Stetten organization, which
supports the disabled. The funds thus raised are making it possible for a group of young mentally handicapped
people to take part in the Special Olympics National Games to be held in Karlsruhe in June 2008. STAR CARE
Hessen also launched an initiative with the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kassel and other partners that has benefited
five young individuals from troubled backgrounds who had previously searched in vain for a trainee position. On
September 3, 2007, these new trainees began a two-year apprenticeship at the Kassel plant that will end with
their certification as machinists through a program recognized by the German Chamber of Commerce. Further
information on STAR CARE assistance projects can be found here.
for humanitarian causes all over the world
Food for the needy: Bundesverband Deutsche Tafel e. V. drives Mercedes-Benz
Although Germany has a surplus of food, many people in the country simply don’t have enough money to buy the
food they need. The Bundesverband Deutsche Tafel e. V. aid organization is addressing this problem: Under the
motto “Everyone gives what they can,“ voluntary helpers collect leftovers that, although still of good quality, can
no longer be sold at bakeries, outdoor markets, and supermarkets. The food is then distributed either directly by
the organization or else via other groups that also assist the needy. Daimler has been one of the main sponsors
of Bundesverband Deutsche Tafel e. V. since 1998. The Group originally got involved by donating 100 used
Mercedes-Benz Vito vans complete with service contracts. Since the year 2000, however, our company has also
been offering the organization refrigerated Vito and Sprinter vans at very low prices. Daimler is therefore helping
to ensure that Bundesverband Deutsche Tafel e. V. remains on the move and can get the food it collects to those
who need it.