19.12.2003 - Estonian children’s homes are presented with Christmas trees, presents and Estonian films 29.09

Statoil Estonia and the manager of state forest RMK continue the three-year-old tradition and present to all the Estonian children’s homes Christmas trees grown in the state forest, accompanied by Christmas presents. This year, the Estonian Film Foundation joined in and donated to the children’s homes a number of Estonian feature film and cartoon videos.

RMK and Statoil decided to continue the tradition of organising a joint charity campaign, as in the past years the feedback from the children’s homes has been very positive. Before Christmas, the representatives of the RMK forest management districts take over 200 Christmas trees of various sizes to the 40 state-owned or private children’s and youth homes, together with one and a half tonnes of mandarins, plus a bag containing toys and video cassettes for each children’s home. The initiative of Statoil, RMK and the Estonian Film Foundation brings Christmas joy to 1750 children and young people who have been deprived of parental care and live in Estonian children’s homes.

Cooperation between Statoil and RMK in the framework of the charity project aimed at children’s homes dates back to 2000. “Support to children’s homes in such a manner has been a very heart-warming mission to everyone involved, and each year the number of beneficiaries has increased as several private children’s and youth homes and shelters have been established besides the state-owned ones,” said Hede Kerstin Luik, the Marketing Manager of Statoil Estonia.

Ulvar Kaubi, the Marketing Manager of the Forest Management Department of RMK said that the staff of the forest management districts distributing Christmas trees and presents had established excellent contacts with the children’s homes during past years. “Many forest management districts give a Christmas tree also to a local hospital, church, school and kindergarten — this is our wish and opportunity to show that we care about the people in our area,” added Kaubi.

According to Martin Aadamsoo, the Director-General of the Estonian Film Foundation, donation of video films to children’s homes is a continuation of the programme “Estonian films for Estonian children”, the aim of which is to offer Estonian children an opportunity to see films in their mother tongue. The programme initiated in 2000 has been a great success; many film events have taken place for children where they have also had a chance to meet the producers.

Further information:
Hede Kerstin Luik,
Marketing Manager, Statoil Estonia,
 tel. +372 665 7700

Ulvar Kaubi,
Marketing Manager,
Forest Management Department of RMK,
tel. +372 628 1500

Martin Aadamsoo,
Director-General,
Estonian Film Foundation,
tel. +372 627 6060