From box to birthday: Vebego colleagues make 392 birthdays unforgettable!

Imagine this: a historic factory in Rotterdam, seven enthusiastic Vebego colleagues, and hundreds of birthday dreams waiting to be packed. Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful story, right? It was. On Wednesday 15 January, a dedicated team of seven Vebego colleagues rolled up their sleeves to pack birthday boxes for the Jarige Job Foundation.

A birthday party cannot be taken for granted
The morning started with an impressive presentation by Jarige Job Foundation, revealing a tough reality: for many children in the Netherlands, a birthday party is not a given. And it’s not just about missing a gift. These children often can’t bring treats to school and may even be bullied because of their situation.

“It’s a privilege to be able to do this”

“It’s a privilege to be able to do this,” said Josine Dekker, our cheerful connection to Jarige Job Foundation. And she’s right. Because did you know that not every child in the Netherlands gets to celebrate their birthday? No cake, no presents, no treats at school. It may seem normal, but unfortunately it isn’t.

Making as many children happy as possible
Our seven colleagues made a difference. Like a well-oiled machine, they worked together: a gardener from Enschede next to a receptionist from Rotterdam, a training supervisor from Valkenswaard shoulder to shoulder with colleagues from all corners of the country. Some even skipped their lunch break to keep going: driven by the desire to make as many children happy as possible.

“A packing afternoon at Jarige Job Foundation is a moment of pride, of happy children, and a reminder that every child deserves a birthday.”

Nearly 400 days to remember
And what a result: 392 birthday boxes. That means 392 smiling children, 392 proud school moments with a treat, and 392 days to never forget. The long journey home- 2.5 hours for some- did nothing to temper the enthusiasm. On the contrary, the message was clear: “This is definitely worth doing again.” The feeling of giving nearly 400 children an unforgettable birthday, combined with the pride of being part of the Vebego family, made it an experience not to be missed.

Vebego colleague Anne Storimans:

“A packing afternoon at Jarige Job Foundation is a moment of pride, of happy children, and a reminder that every child deserves a birthday. A great way to (re)connect with colleagues, while doing something good together.”