Together with the people of Giessen and Central Hesse, Stadtwerke Giessen is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2013. The programme includes a big anniversary celebration with an SWG benefit concert and a family festival with lots of attractions for young and old as well as numerous "good deeds".
A partner to the region in terms of energy, water and local transport - this is how Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) was founded exactly 75 years ago. An anniversary that SWG wants to celebrate together with the people of Giessen and the surrounding area. At a press conference on 22 February, the two board members Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul as well as company spokeswoman Ina Weller presented the programme. SWG Marketing Manager Ulli Boos and Stephanie Orlik from the Marketing Services department at SWG were also present. The two are responsible for organising the anniversary celebrations.
"For three quarters of a century, we have been firmly rooted locally under the name Stadtwerke Gießen and identify one hundred per cent with the region. That's why the people of Giessen and Central Hessen are particularly close to our hearts," emphasised Manfred Siekmann. SWG demonstrates this not only in its day-to-day work in its core business. For many decades, the company has supported numerous clubs in popular and professional sport, works closely with voluntary fire brigades, is regularly involved in charitable campaigns such as the Tour of Hope and promotes young professionals. "This year's anniversary is an ideal occasion for us to say a special thank you to our customers, partners from local authorities and business and all other people in the region - and to give something back to them," Reinhard Paul explained to those present at the press conference. Among them were Gerhard Becker, Head of Organisation of the Tour of Hope, Volker Klein, Sports Director of the Tour of Hope, and Volker Weimer, Managing Director of Expoplan, who is providing SWG with professional support in all matters relating to the anniversary celebrations.
Employee commitment in demand
SWG has therefore planned "75 good deeds" for 2013 - spread throughout the year and across the entire region. Ina Weller explained what is behind this idea: "We will financially support 75 campaigns, projects and organisations. Our employees have decided which ones to support. Last year, they were asked to contribute their ideas. In each case, at least one SWG employee will act as the sponsor of the 'good deed' and will also lend a hand personally as required. This could involve renovating a clubhouse or building a climbing frame in a kindergarten, for example." In the first campaigns, Stadtwerke Gießen helped the voluntary fire brigades from the district to dispose of disused Christmas trees, for example, and the company donated 500 euros each to the Großen-Linden day-care centre, ACE 1974 Gießen e.V., the Lützellinden parish and the Gießen 46ers Juniors Basketball e.V. support association.
Big anniversary celebration in summer
During the press conference, Manfred Siekmann revealed what SWG is preparing as the highlight of the anniversary year: "We are inviting everyone from the region to a big anniversary celebration on 29 and 30 June. This will consist of the SWG benefit concert on Saturday evening and a big family festival on Sunday." SWG will be making its entire premises available during these two days. The benefit concert - also the highlight of the "good deeds" - will be organised by Stadtwerke Gießen in aid of the Tour of Hope, to which all proceeds from ticket sales will go. The two SWG board members Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul are sponsoring this "good deed".
"We are bringing a top national artist who has been successful for a long time onto our stage. Nena will be the main act," revealed Reinhard Paul and explained: "Nena is the ideal artist for this event. Not only because of her strong social and charitable commitment. She made her breakthrough 30 years ago with the hit '99 Luftballons'. And the Tour of Hope is already travelling exactly 30 times for a good cause." The Giessen-based band Neoh, who are already known beyond the region's borders, have also confirmed their participation. Advance ticket sales for the charity concert start on 15 March 2013.
Several artists - bands and comedians - will also entertain young and old on the Sunday of the festival. Willi Weitzel, known from the ARD TV programme "Willi will's wissen", will host the family day. The Kork dialect group will perform at the start of the event. Other highlights include the singer Nora Schmidt and the comedian Bodo Bach, who is well-known throughout Hessen and Germany. Young and old alike can round off the day with a performance by Tom Pfeiffer and his band.
A programme for every taste
Away from the stage, an extensive entertainment programme awaits all visitors. Adults and young people can test their skills on a Segway course, for example.
"We offer a look behind the scenes of our daily work during numerous technical tours of the company premises and the thermal residue treatment and energy utilisation plant, TREA for short," explained Reinhard Paul. Manfred Siekmann added: "During these tours, visitors are sure to learn a lot more about energy and Stadtwerke Gießen. And they will also have the opportunity to ask our employees questions about the various stations."
"While the parents find out more on one of the technology tours, the little ones can have fun in the children's area - for example on an adventure playground, a children's carousel and a bouncy castle. Clown Ichmael will also come up with some entertainment that will delight them," promised Ina Weller.
Manfred Siekmann, Reinhard Paul and Ina Weller were certain at the presentation for the anniversary year: "We have put together an attractive programme with small and large highlights to offer something special to as many people from Giessen and the region as possible. Numerous hard-working employees at Stadtwerke have been working on this together - for a long time with a lot of energy for the region."