The BMW Group Plant in Debrecen, Hungary, already employing over a thousand individuals and anticipating the addition of approximately five hundred more by the commencement of production in 2025, demonstrates a strong commitment to the well-being of its workforce and the surrounding community. This dedication extends to supporting various social and health initiatives benefiting local residents. Notably, the Health Centre team at BMW Group Plant Debrecen played a crucial role in connecting the Munich-based Karl Monz Foundation with the “Women for Children with Cancer, Disabilities and Chronic Diseases Foundation.” The Karl Monz Foundation, a charitable organization managed by BMW AG, oversees numerous philanthropic projects.
A significant donation of €25,000 from the Karl Monz Foundation will empower the Hungarian Foundation to further its mission. This mission centers on enhancing the quality of life, care provisions, and the physical and mental health of children grappling with cancer, type I diabetes, endocrine disorders, and other chronic illnesses. Furthermore, the funding will provide vital support to the families of these children during challenging times.
Dr. Enikő Felszeghy, a trustee of the “Women for Children with Cancer, Disabilities and Chronic Diseases Foundation,” formally accepted the donation from Hans-Peter Kemser. The presentation ceremony was also attended by László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, Johannes Trauth, HR Manager of BMW Group Plant Debrecen, Dr. Hajnalka Szabóné-Tamás, Head of the Health Centre at BMW Group Plant Debrecen, and Réka Jenei, Communications Director of BMW Group Plant Debrecen, highlighting the collaborative nature of this initiative.
The Karl Monz Foundation’s origins trace back to Karl Monz, a former BMW AG Board of Management member, who generously endowed the foundation with his personal wealth. The foundation’s philanthropic activities encompass supporting public health and welfare programs both within Germany and internationally. Key figures on the Foundation’s board of trustees include Ilka Horstmeier (president), Ernst Baumann (vice president), and Heike Schneeweis. Decisions regarding project funding are made by the Foundation’s council. Since its inception in 1996, the Karl Monz Foundation has provided support to around 45 diverse projects, contributing over €1 million to worthy causes. Past beneficiaries include a community center aiding individuals living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa and a specialized center for autistic individuals in Germany, illustrating the foundation’s broad scope of impact.
