Vulnerable populations support

Assistance to disadvantaged groups, such as veterans’ organizations, orphanages and boarding schools, occupies a prominent place in the Bank’s social program. Support for orphans is one of the most important aspects in this area. For many years, the Bank has made donations to Children’s Villages — SOS, an interregional non-governmental charity. This is a unique alternative to orphanages — a model as close to a normal home as possible, where children live as in a regular family. There are currently six SOS villages in Russia: in Tomilino, Lavrovo, Pushkin, Kandalaksha, Vologda, and Pskov. There are also six Youth Centers (2 in St. Petersburg, 2 in Oryol, 1 in Lyubertsy and 1 in Murmansk). In total, there are more than 400 children living in Children’s Villages — SOS homes. The Bank is involved in the construction of family houses for children’s accommodation and provides financial assistance on an annual basis.

We regularly allocate funds for the provision of targeted charitable aid to critically ill children and entire medical establishments, and also procure medicines and special equipment, including ambulances

Since 2009, we have run a traditional “I Believe in Father Frost” New Year Eve charity campaign for the benefit of orphaned children. On New Year’s Eve, Gazprombank employees start performing small miracles. Every child residing in an orphanage supported by the Bank is given the opportunity to share their most heartfelt wish. Envelopes containing letters from the children appear on Christmas trees at several Bank sites. To join the “Father Frost Team”, employees merely have to take an envelope and make the child’s dream come true. As many years of practice have shown, our colleagues are not afraid of addressing the children’s most challenging wishes, some of which require formidable commitment in terms of time and search abilities. During this campaign, Gazprombank staff have provided invaluable aid not only in procuring New Year presents, but also in purchasing specialized medical equipment, children’s furniture, and sports equipment.