Merck employees’ readiness to contribute to the financial support of charitable organizations and to get involved in socially beneficial activities is deeply rooted in the company’s corporate culture. Countless employees are involved in voluntary activities in the region, and the company itself sponsors clubs and events in Darmstadt. The largest chunk of funding comes from the “Rest Cents” campaign of the employees. Almost half of the workforce donates the cent component of their salaries every month. This money goes into a fund whose total amount is matched by the company. In 2010 about EUR 76,500 was donated from this fund to charitable organizations. More than EUR 600,000 has been collected since the campaign was started 21 years ago.

The Heydenmühle community is grateful for every euro. “Of course we manage to cover all of our necessary expenses, and besides, the people in our facility work and have an income,” explains Hans-Ulrich Wurm. “But we have to finance special purchases such as this wood splitter by means of donations.” It’s obvious that his wish list for the community’s residents is a long one, but he is too modest to ever specifically request funding. That could be the reason why the Heydenmühle community was chosen to receive a donation.