Corporate Social Responsibility
We have a social responsibility, a constitutional opportunity and a moral obligation to help others.
Janie Lewis
Associated Automotive Distributors' Heart-warming Pyjama Day: Combining Comfort and Charity
In a heart-warming display of camaraderie and compassion, the employees of Associated Automotive Distributors (AAD) recently celebrated an unconventional event at their workplace: Pyjama Day. What made this occasion even more special was the noble cause behind it, as the staff donated non-perishable food items to participate. Among the participants, Pitso stood out for his exceptional choice of pajamas, earning him a well-deserved certificate of recognition. Let’s delve into this heart-warming story and explore the spirit of unity and kindness that swept through AAD.
Embracing Comfort for a Good Cause:
June, known for its chilly weather, became the perfect backdrop for AAD’s Pyjama Day. On this memorable day, employees were encouraged to trade their formal attire for cozy and comfortable sleepwear. From fluffy robes and slippers to onesies and flannel sets, the office was adorned with an array of colourful and whimsical sleepwear.
Combining Fun and Generosity:
What set this Pyjama Day apart was the philanthropic twist. In the spirit of giving, each employee was encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items. The initiative not only fostered a sense of unity among the AAD team but also served as a reminder of the importance of supporting the community, especially during challenging times.
Recognizing an Outstanding Choice:
Among the sea of creatively clad employees, Pitso’s pyjama choice stole the spotlight. Pitso’s enthusiasm for the event was contagious, spreading smiles and laughter throughout the office.
To acknowledge Pitso’s exceptional choice and his commitment to making Pyjama Day a memorable experience, AAD presented him with a certificate of recognition. The certificate not only highlighted his outstanding fashion sense but also symbolized his dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
A Symbol of Unity and Compassion:
Pyjama Day at AAD showcased the power of unity, reminding employees that their collective efforts can make a significant impact on those in need. The donated food items served as a gesture of compassion, supporting the less fortunate members of the community. Through this event, AAD exemplified its commitment to corporate social responsibility and demonstrated that acts of kindness can be woven into the fabric of everyday work life.
Conclusion:
Associated Automotive Distributors’ Pyjama Day brought warmth and generosity to the cold month of June. By combining comfort, fun, and philanthropy, AAD’s employees came together to support their community and brighten the lives of those in need. Such initiatives not only strengthen bonds within organizations but also inspire others to embrace acts of kindness and compassion in their own communities.
Associated Automotive Distributors Celebrates Youth Day with a Back-to-School Theme
Employees of Associated Automotive Distributors (AAD) celebrated Youth Day in style on the 15th of June 2023. The event brought a wave of nostalgia as the dress theme was “Back to School” for ages 5 years to 18 years, allowing employees to relive their school days.
From plaid skirts and knee-high socks to backpacks and badges, the employees truly embraced the spirit of the occasion. It was a delightful sight to see the older employees channelling their inner students.
Among the dressed-up employees, Elizabeth stood out and won the “Too Hot To Handle” award for the best-dressed employee. She amazed everyone with her attention to detail, sporting a full set of school attire, complete with a grey skirt, white shirt, tie and even a blazer. Elizabeth’s commitment to the theme and her enthusiasm made her a deserving winner.
The celebration went beyond the mere display of fashion as the employees also contributed to a good cause. As part of the event, AAD encouraged its staff to donate non-perishable food items to participate. The donations received during this event were just a small part of AAD’s larger philanthropic efforts. The company had been collecting donations from its staff throughout the year, with the intention of distributing them to three non-profit organizations in December 2023. By encouraging employees to contribute, AAD aimed to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need during the holiday season.
The Youth Day celebration at AAD was not only a fun-filled event but also an opportunity to promote camaraderie among the employees. It allowed them to reminisce about their school days and embrace the youthful energy that resides within all of us. Moreover, the spirit of giving displayed by the employees showcased their commitment to making a positive difference in the community. The event served as a reminder of the importance of giving back and the impact that even small acts of kindness can have on the lives of those in need.
With their hearts full of gratitude and their spirits uplifted, the employees of AAD look forward to future events that bring them together to celebrate, give, and make a difference in their community.
Ebenhaeser Old Age Home - Spreading kindness and Christmas cheer in December
18 December 2022
Giving back to the community sometimes involves bringing people together and working towards a single cause. Whether you have an overabundance of some sort or merely having something others could use, donating makes an immediate difference in others’ lives. Lee-Ann Viljoen already dug the trenches to set up a donation drive and AAD, its staff, suppliers, friends and family all joined hands to assist a Brakpan based old age home.
Ebenhaeser Old Age Home is a government funded home and depends on the generosity of individuals and organisations help relieve their financial burden. We were once again able to assist this home with non-perishable food items and an individual gift for each of the 18 seniors in care.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our suppliers, staff members and their family and friends for their unselfish contribution towards this cause.
Special thanks to Rainbow Parts, Sunray Carriers, A Line Carriers and Feedem for their generosity.
Nyeleti Children’s Home – Providing hope to our children
16 December 2022
Nyeleti Children’s Home was founded in 2004 and cares for orphaned, neglected, abused, and abandoned children. They assist with long term care for orphaned and abandoned children, provide temporary care for children who face difficult circumstances at home, help poor children in the community with necessities and assist single unemployed mothers.
As part of a Donation Drive AAD, staff members, suppliers, family members and friends donated non-perishable supplies and individual gifts to fundraiser Lee-Ann Viljoen. We are proud to announce that each of the 21 kids in care received a Christmas Gift Box, filled with clothes, toiletries and gifts from a donor.
A big THANK YOU to each and every donor that supporting this cause. Your donation contributed to the growth and development of our community and will help to equip these lovely children to become happy, successful and productive adults in the future.
Special thanks to MIM Stationers, Thompsons Travel, Doux Plumbing and CD Nails by Charné.
Boksburg SPCA – Contributing to our furry friends
17 December 2022
SPCA sites around the country are committed to improve the welfare of all animals in need. Their mission is to prevent cruelty and to uplift the welfare of animals, by applying the Five Freedoms: –
- Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
AAD, in conjunction with fundraiser Lee-Ann Viljoen, was delighted to be able to support the Boksburg SPCA and assist our furry friends with food and essential items. Please allow us to express our gratitude to all our donors. The decision of your sponsorship has helped us make our cause speak out and we were able to pull it off with great pride.
Here’s the low-down on growing MO’s and saving BRO’s
A movement that started out as a joke in between a group of friends who wanted to bring the moustache back into fashion and to support men’s issues.
Movember is the only charity tackling men’s health issues on a global scale. It aims to address some of the most complex health issues faced by men, including cancer, mental health, and suicide. The Movember campaign has grown more popular and competitions for the greatest moustache are now held around the world.
AAD’s Movember participants, known as the Mo Bros, signed up to the challenge and started the month of November clean shaven. For some of our participants it was a challenge to shave and for others an even bigger challenge to grow a Mo. We wrapped up the month by snapping pictures of all our participants and gave the Bro’s the opportunity to vote for one another.
The winner, Adrian Knipe, walked away with the prize and best grown moustache.
Thank you to all our Mo Bros for growing, mowing and for simply starting a conversation on men’s health!
2022 Winner
Congratulations Adrian Knipe
The second Pandemic in South Africa
25 November 2022
Gender-based violence is a profound and widespread problem in South Africa, impacting on almost every aspect of life. GBV, which disproportionately affects women and girls is systemic, and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures, and traditions in South Africa.
The figures on prevalence of gender-based violence against women and girls are alarming and affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.
The upcoming 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children runs from 25 November 2022 until 10 December 2022 and aims to reinforce the call for the prevention and elimination of Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG).
The staff of ADD had the opportunity to show their solidarity on the 25th of November 2022 and took a stand with the victims and survivors of this deplorable act.
Congratulations to Monique Foster for portraying the cause with her hip and funky outfit!
Let’s end #violenceagainstwomenandgirls #OrangeTheWorld #Ipledgetoloveandprotectwomen #VAWG
Celebrating Spring featuring a Donation Drive
“Braai-ing” is at the top of the fun things to do and what better way to celebrate the spring season by? With the weather warming up AAD hosted a Spring Braai for its employees in September 2022.
As part of the celebration AAD decided to assist the most vulnerable members in the community by giving the staff of AAD the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items, toiletries and pet items over the next few months. These donations will be donated to a selected children’s home, an old age home and an animal shelter as part of the AAD December Charity Drive.
Shelterbags for South Africa’s homeless
20 October 2021
In October 2021, DCD set an ambitious goal to donate 100 shelter bags to the Lesedi Community Centre for the homeless based in Heidelburg. The Shelterbag is a portable, sheltered bed that rolls up into a carry bag. It is waterproof, lightweight, easy to handle and has an extra compartment for some personal belongings. It comes with a build-in pillow, but also has room for an extra mattress or blanket, making it adaptable for all seasons. The protective hood is designed to provide better shelter from the rain and contributes to improving the lives of people living without shelter. It reaches families who are living on the streets and those that cannot be accommodated in formal shelters.
AAD donated 10 shelter bags to DCD, as part of their social responsibility programme, and we are proud to have been part of this incredible initiative.
Santa Gift Box Project
The Secret Santa Gift Box project began in December 2020 and is a charity event created by Lee-Ann Viljoen, whom recognised and embraced the need to lend a helping hand to an old age home. The aim of this project is to make a difference in the lives of the elderly and helping them lead a happier life in their twilight years.
With the donation from AAD and the generous contributions from staff, Lee-Ann Viljoen once again managed to make a difference in the lives of the elderly at Ebenhauser Old Age Home, based in Brakpan.
It has been two very tough years for so many people, but through it all our staff donated for a second year in a row towards this project. It is not how much they gave, but how much love they put into giving to this non-profit organisation. The staff of AAD generously contributed without any expectation of receiving anything in return.
AAD and its staff are proud to be given the opportunity to contribute towards community projects, for together we can make a difference and change lives.
Water Shortage Relief
Water is an indispensable resource for the economy and plays a fundamental role in human, animal and plant life.
The low rainfall caused severe drought and water shortage in most parts of our country, resulting in people living without water and animals dying as a result of insufficient food. The effect of this seems to be endless. In the past few months the public and various NGO’s have shown compassion to their fellow human beings and found creative solutions to help those in need.
AAD Drivetrain Systems selflessly started contributing one thousand litres of purified water per month to this initiative in January 2016. Since March 2016 AAD Drivetrain Systems started participating in the UD Water Drive. The water will be dropped off at the UD North West dealership and will then be distributed to the areas suffering in and around Gauteng.
Ways to show you care:
- Support this initiative by reaching out to those in need
- Promote awareness and make yourself available to help transport the much needed water.
- Donate water by buying bottled water or by filling up empty bottles. Take this to your nearest donation depot in your area.
H2O – Essential for all dimensions of life!
Community Involvement – What Matters Most
Associated Automotive Distributors is committed to improving the quality of life in the community by donating to and supporting various organisations. This creates a positive impact on society in the ordinary course of business.
The Ebenhauser Old Age Home is funded by the government but also depends on the goodwill of organizations and individuals for funding and support.
Due to a four month backlog of government subsidy this old age home, based in Brakpan, recently found itself with a food crisis; an almost insurmountable challenge.
AAD Corporate division has donated food parcels to the Ebenhauser Old Age Home for the past two months. A small contribution from the company, but this meant the world to the Home and we were happy to assist them in their time of need.
