Giving is more beautiful

Giving is better than receiving These are the words of Monique Mentjox of SNS. SNS is part of de Volksbank together with ASN, Regiobank and BLG Wonen. This story comes from de Volksbank's doing good platform. Here you can read the impact stories of other Volksbank colleagues. "I do volunteer work for a long time, but when our job description at SNS stated that we are encouraged to do more volunteer work, it took serious shape for me. It was preferable to help in the neighborhood where we worked. I asked customers here in the Bijlmer if they knew of a great project in which I could contribute. For example, I ended up at a crisis shelter for children in Amsterdam South East. A shelter for children who suddenly have to leave their home because it is not safe. And that makes an impression when you first enter there. received in silence You can see it on television, you can read about it… But when you walk there, it hits you on all sides. I will never forget that I met an 8 year old girl there. She had nothing at all. No room, no hug. Just two pairs of socks. When we organized a Christmas dinner for these children, she received a gift voucher of 50 euros so that she could choose something beautiful in the toy store. Then you expect such a girl to be very happy, but she was very resigned. She received the gift very quietly and at the end she just said, “I don't know. I have never had such a big present.” And that also makes you silent. What can be a small effort for us, can sometimes be a huge gesture for someone else. I met an 8 year old girl who only had 2 socks. You will never forget that In love with your neighborhood We have done a lot for crisis relief. With several teams we refurbished all the outdoor areas so that it looked cozy. Organized a beautiful Christmas dinner where we went to all the shopkeepers in the Bijlmer for sponsorship. There was a cook who had gone out of her way, everything was beautifully decorated, supermarkets and butchers donated food and in the end each child even got a new bicycle. It was an enormous amount of work. But it really was Christmas for those kids. You get to know the neighborhood well through these kinds of projects. And I am now in love with this neighborhood. The people, the different cultures, the friendliness, but also the solidarity. There are so many beautiful projects here. For example, our store that we open every year around Christmas. Here, families living below the social assistance level can shop for free. For toys. Or a new winter coat. Or other beautiful clothes. Because we have really nice stuff, no junk. Through projects like this you get to know the neighborhood well, I'm in love with that now COLLECT LAPTOPS A while ago we collected laptops for children who could not participate in online classes. No child believed they were allowed to keep the laptop. They thought they could borrow it. Or they asked if I wanted something for it. And then I said, “What I'd like in return is that if you can ever help someone, you'll remember your laptop. Then there was a beautiful 14-year-old boy who said: “But I already do that…” It still gives me goosebumps. This guy had a support group. And talked to guys from the neighborhood, made music with them, helped them with homework. And then you are 14 years old. And how happy it made him, just to help someone, it makes me so happy too. Sometimes it even moves me a little. IN THE BLOOD It feels natural to me to help people and listen to them. That is in my work, but also in my blood. If you want to start a relationship with people, you have to talk to them. This does not only apply to customers, but to everyone. So when I'm done with work, I make a round of tea for the homeless or I make a call if I see that someone doesn't have a warm coat. It doesn't always have to be big. People often say, “It's great that you're doing all this.” But then I say, "Walk with me for a day and you'll see who the real heroes are." That is the grandmother who has to get by on 33 euros a week. I'm not a hero, I'm just putting in a few days of work. The people in the neighborhood are the real heroes. And I'm not doing this alone. I get so much support and help from my team members and my manager. We really do it together. People often say, “It's great that you're doing all this.” But then I say: "the real hero is the grandmother who has to get by on 33 euros a week" I also went through a period where everything was against me. And that can happen to anyone. We often turn our heads away, but when you listen to someone's story, it really makes a difference. To me it's worth it when someone feels seen. A homeless person once said to me, “I am everything anyone doesn't want to be. And that's why I'm never seen. But today I was seen.” Everyone deserves to be seen." Monique Mentjox, SNS Bank Give an hour too! Do you want to do something good just like Monique? With an hour you can already make a difference for someone else, the world and yourself. Discover all open questions here , or place your own offer . Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward

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