For the second time, on 17 October 2001, the globally operating lubricant producer FUCHS PETROLUB AG awarded its Subsidy Prize for supporting social facilities in Mannheim, in the presence of the scheme’s patron, Lord Mayor Gerhard Widder, donating funds to four organizations for exemplary projects. The prize-winners among the 14 initiatives presented were chosen in conjunction with the City of Mannheim’s Social Security, Job Assistance and Senior Citizens Department. The Fuchs Subsidy Prize, under the motto “Helping People in Need”, was this year worth a total of 30,000 DM.

The highest prize sum, of 9,000 DM, went to the “Networked Sufferers” project, proposed by Mannheim’s Health Meeting Point, operating under the aegis of the German Codetermination Charity Federation. 8,000 DM were awarded to assist the work of the “Rainbow Café” run by the Support Association of the Mannheim-Ludwigshafen AIDS charity. Another prize, worth 7,000 DM, went to the Caritas organization to assist its “Child Care Service for Single Parents”. Finally, 6,000 DM were awarded to the “People in a Charitable Organization – Hands-on Social Work” initiative, organized by the German Red Cross.

All four projects were fully in line with the subsidy principles agreed between FUCHS PETROLUB AG and the City of Mannheim. The paramount criterion in this context was the innovative approach adopted by the award-winning projects, best suited to implementing the motto of “Help for self-help” chosen for this year’s Subsidy Prize.

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Manfred Fuchs, Executive Board Chairman of FUCHS PETROLUB AG, emphasized his hope that the Subsidy Prizes would assist the four prize-winning initiatives in their efforts and their social commitment. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to all applicants taking part in the FUCHS Subsidy Prize scheme: “We all know”, continued Dr. Fuchs, “that in every company, no matter what the size, globalization and the inevitable degree of anonymity involved, it is the human individual who is and will remain the foundation for success. This explains our manifold commitment to social causes at home and abroad, both inside and outside our actual organization.”

Lord Mayor Gerhard Widder paid tribute to the FUCHS Subsidy Prize as a remarkable private-sector initiative, meaningfully complementing and indeed progressing the public-sector network of social subsidies. He also expressed his gratification that the bestowal of the Subsidy Prize, now in its second year, is starting to become a permanent institution in the City of Mannheim’s social life. The Mayor also sees this as an incentive for the organizations not among the prize-winners this year.