Bringing festive cheer and a message of hope to Geneva families in need

Fourth year of partnership with Geneva Red Cross reaches a steadily growing number of families in hardship across the Geneva Metropolitan Area – almost 9,000 in 2023

Focus Area: Community Support

This was the fourth year that the MSC Foundation partnered with the Geneva Red Cross in its “Festive Smiles” initiative to bring seasonal cheer to local families in need.

Thanks to the invaluable support of our Geneva colleagues, Festive Smiles 2023 was a resounding success. MSC Group employees and the MSC Foundation donated 394 gifts to vulnerable families in the Geneva Metropolitan Area. That was 70 more than last year!

What’s more, 47 MSC volunteers then donated 140 hours of their time to wrapping and delivering the gifts to children, along with food parcels for their families. As in 2022, the MSC Foundation matched every gift donated by our MSC Group colleagues, doubling the young festive cheer. Their smiles were truly heart-warming!

The Geneva Red Cross prepared and distributed Christmas baskets for 2,500 families between the 14th and 17th of December, bringing solace and a message of seasonal hope to a staggering 8,664 people in hardship. This included 4,436 children and youths under 18, who each received a new gift selected to suit their age.

None of this would have been possible without the caring solidarity of our MSC Group colleagues. Their efforts have made an immense impact, transforming what could have been a lonely midwinter into a joyful celebration of community, reflecting the spirit of unity and care that defines our MSC family. We thank them warmly for making a difference!