A child’s first day of school represents a significant milestone, traditionally marked by receiving a school cone – a decorated paper cone filled with school supplies and treats. However, with one in three children in Berlin at risk of poverty, this tradition is financially inaccessible for many families. To address this disparity, Berlin-Chemie Menarini collaborated with the nonprofit organization Schenk doch mal ein Lächeln e.V. to provide support to disadvantaged families.
The Schultüte, or school cone, has been a cornerstone of German education culture for two centuries. Originating in Saxony and Thuringia, these decorative cones initially contained simple items like slate boards and pencils, with sweets for those who could afford them. Today’s school requirements are far more extensive: pens, erasers, colored pencils, rulers, notebooks, and textbooks that can strain household budgets considerably.
Berlin-Chemie Menarini immediately embraced the initiative, guided by its core values of equal opportunity and social responsibility. The pharmaceutical company financed 600 school cones and mobilized its apprentices to pack them – a task they approached with remarkable dedication and teamwork. Their enthusiastic participation in preparing all school cones before the academic year reflects the younger generation’s genuine commitment to social causes.
The company views this initiative as an investment in future potential. Beyond alleviating financial burden, the program ensures every child feels included on this important day: no student should feel different from their classmates simply because their family cannot afford this symbolic gift.
This program showcases the real-world impact businesses can achieve when they channel resources toward community needs. Berlin-Chemie Menarini demonstrates that corporate responsibility isn’t about rhetoric – it’s about taking action.