This year, once again, Pohjois-Karjalan Osuuskauppa (PKO) will donate the €3,500 reserved for Christmas gifts according to the wishes of our members. Now it’s your turn to decide where the donation will go!We asked PKO’s members for ideas and suggestions on how the Christmas donation should be used. As a consumer cooperative owned by local households, it’s only natural that we involve our members – ordinary people from North Karelia – in this decision.This year, we received an incredible number of suggestions: more than 200 different ideas! Thank you for all your contributions. Many of the proposals highlighted the needs of children and young people.The final vote includes the three most suggested causes:
Joensuun Nuorisoverstas (Joensuu Youth Workshop)Supporting young people aged 16–28 without school or work placements by improving life skills and helping them transition to education and employment in Joensuu, Outokumpu and Polvijärvi.
Hope ryProviding practical help for low-income and crisis-affected families, such as clothing, household items, toys, and hobby support for children and youth.
ViaDia JoensuuOffering family and food aid, supporting child welfare, and promoting integration for immigrant families in Joensuu’s Rantakylä area.
Since 1987, PKO has donated the funds reserved for Christmas greetings to local charitable causes. In recent years, the donation target has been chosen by our members: first by suggesting causes, then by voting for the final recipient. Last year, the donation went to Löytöeläimet ry (Lost Animals Association). Previous recipients include the Joulupuu Christmas Charity Campaign, Joensuu Family House / Save the Children, local healthcare workers, mental health support organizations, Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Honkalampi Foundation, and many more.Charitable giving reflects PKO’s core value of shared good and brings to life our vision:
“Let’s make North Karelia an even better place to live.”For more information:
Petri Vähä, Director of Communications and Responsibility, PKO
Tel. 010 762 2034 | Email: petri.vaha@sok.fi
