NORDWEST demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility
Dortmund, 11 December 2025 – Once again this year, NORDWEST Handel AG is living up to its social responsibility by donating a total of €10,000 to four organisations that provide dedicated support to people in difficult life situations. Each organisation received €2,500: the Kinderschutz-Zentrum Dortmund, a counselling centre for child protection; the women’s shelter Frauenhaus Dortmund; the internationally active TOOLS FOR LIFE Foundation; and – for the first time – the Verein zur Förderung der Kinderhospizarbeit in Dortmund, a support organisation for children’s hospice services. The donations were presented on 11 December 2025 at the company’s headquarters in Dortmund.
For NORDWEST, this contribution is more than a financial gesture – it represents a clear commitment to the company’s core values: responsibility, solidarity and humanity. “We want to offer help where support is urgently needed. For us, this is lived corporate culture – demonstrated through action rather than words”, explained Management Board member Thorsten Sega.
Representatives of all four organisations attended the handover: Dagmar Petzgen from the Verein zur Förderung der Kinderhospizarbeit in Dortmund e.V., Aline Schneider-Sailler for the Kinderschutz-Zentrum Dortmund, and Ria Pinter for the Frauenhaus Dortmund and Verena Behnisch together with Felix Gottschlich on behalf of the TOOLS FOR LIFE Foundation, who joined online. NORDWEST Management Board members Jörg Simon, Michael Rolf and Thorsten Sega used the opportunity to engage in an in-depth exchange about the socially vital work of the organisations and to gain first-hand insight into the valuable contribution these groups make.
Targeted support with lasting impact
The Verein zur Förderung der Kinderhospizarbeit in Dortmund e.V. has been committed since its founding to supporting families with children and young people suffering from life-limiting illnesses. Its aim is to help families lead lives marked by dignity and security – through counselling, companionship and practical everyday assistance. The association supports the work of the children’s and young people’s hospice service in Dortmund and also advocates greater public awareness and acceptance of hospice work.
The Frauenhaus Dortmund protects women and children affected by domestic violence, offering them a safe refuge and prospects for a self-determined life. With accommodation for 32 residents, it is the largest women’s shelter in North Rhine-Westphalia. “Precisely because public funding is often insufficient, donations like ours are of essential importance. Supporting the Frauenhaus has been close to our hearts for many years,” emphasised Michael Rolf.
The Kinderschutz-Zentrum Dortmund has also been receiving part of NORDWEST’s Christmas donation for several years. As an outpatient specialist counselling centre, it provides indispensable support for children and young people who have experienced violence, abuse or neglect. Each year, the centre handles up to 450 cases – a figure that highlights the urgency of its work. “With our donation, we want to recognise and support the centre’s vital work. The accounts of the children’s experiences move us every time,” stated Jörg Simon.
The fourth donation, totalling EUR 2,500, went to the TOOLS FOR LIFE Foundation, an initiative of Dr. Helmut Rothenberger Holding. The foundation aims to provide people around the world with access to essential resources such as clean water, renewable energy and basic sanitation. It also promotes intangible resources such as education, climate protection and vocational training – building blocks for a sustainable future. “With this donation, we want not only to help, but also to send a clear signal in favour of humanity and social engagement,” the members of the NORDWEST Management Board emphasised. “Because together, we can achieve a great deal.”
