THE PONTIS Foundation awarded companies for their support of charities on April 26. During its seventh Via Bona Slovakia award ceremony, the foundation gave prizes in six categories and awarded one special mention.
A commission made up of 15 representatives of companies, non-profit organizations, media and cultural organisations selected the winners from 106 nominations.
VÚB Bank received the main prize the big companies category. In 2006, the bank donated Sk14 million (€408,300) to 26 projects. The projects focused on cultural heritage preservation, local communities, education and corporate philanthropy.
IT company Anasoft APR won in the small and medium-sized companies category. Among other projects, the company gave Sk200,000 (€5,830) to the Anasoft Litera project for the development of contemporary Slovak literature.
TPD, a household appliances dealer, received the long-term partnership award. TPD has been supporting the Úsmev ako Dar (A Smile as a Gift) organisation and has been helping orphans and families in crisis situations for almost 15 years.
Stavebniny Marián Grígeľ, construction materials company, was awarded for its support of public activities in the region. Together with the UP agency, it has been helping preserve and develop the cultural heritage of the Goral minority in Orava region.
Slovenská Sporiteľňa bank won an award in the innovative projects category for its active support of the Union of Maternity Centres.
The SITA news wire was awarded for media input. The Union of Maternity Centres nominated SITA for its coverage of Slovakia's public activities, charity, corporate responsibility and non-governmental sectors.
The Gerthofer printer received a special mention for selfless help. Since 2003, the plant has been printing information and educational materials for the Odyseus charity's Sex/Drugs project.
Compiled by Spectator staff from press reports
11. Jun 2007 at 0:00