The HELLER apprentices once again showed their commitment to the community by volunteering at the ‘Vesperkirche’ and at the HAI integrative football tournament. The HELLER Apprentice Initiative (HAI) was launched at the beginning of 2002. Since then, the apprentices of Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH have been involved in a variety of charitable activities in the Nürtingen region.
People with disabilities and HELLER apprentices are the winners of the 20th HAI football tournament
On 2 March 2024, the integrative football tournament of the HELLER Apprentice Initiative took place in the Theodor Eisenlohr Hall in Nürtingen. For the 20th time, mixed teams of people with disabilities and HELLER apprentices competed against each other. HELLER’s Head of Training, Martin Schmeckenbecher, officially opened the tournament, in which a total of eight teams competed for victory. Team ‘Germany’ won the final against Team ‘St. Pauli’ 2-0 and took home the big trophy. “It was wonderful to see how much fun and enjoyment everyone had at the tournament. That’s why everyone here today is a winner,” said organiser and HELLER instructor Achim Hammley. However, the other teams did not leave the hall empty-handed and were presented with medals, certificates and other gifts by Mayor Annette Bürkner and HELLER’s HR Director Uli Metz, which the athletes were delighted to receive.
On behalf of the HELLER Apprentice Initiative, the two trainees Kevin Watzin and Michael Briem, together with Uli Metz, handed over a cheque for 400 euros to the Turngemeinde Nürtingen, which will be used for the ‘Sport mit Handicap’ and ‘Handball-Jugend’ programmes.
Main organiser and HELLER instructor Simon Kluge summed up the event: “We received only positive feedback – from the teams, the participating institutions, the spectators, the city of Nürtingen and the Turngemeinde Nürtingen, which supported the tournament”.
HELLER trainees volunteer at the ‘Vesperkirche’ in Nürtingen
This year, the HELLER apprentices once again showed their commitment to the ‘Vesperkirche’ initiative in Nürtingen. On 7 and 8 February 2024, a total of thirteen HELLER apprentices and their instructors Jens Graul and Giuseppe De Pinto lent a hand and helped serving the guests, clearing the tables and serving the food. On behalf of the HELLER Apprentice Initiative, Erik Schmid, Chairman of the HELLER Youth and Apprentice Representation, also handed over a cheque for 1,000 euros to Evi Handke, organiser of the ‘Vesperkirche’. She was delighted to receive the cheque and thanked the HELLER team for their commitment. “It is really great to see HELLER apprentices actively involved here every year. It is also an enriching experience for everyone, volunteers and guests alike – a wonderful way for young and old to get together. Thank you very much for that,” said Handke.
About the HELLER Apprentice Initiative
The HELLER Apprentice Initiative was launched at the beginning of 2002. Since then, the apprentices of Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik have been involved in various charitable activities in the Nürtingen region. In 2007, they were awarded the ‘Bingo Prize’ of the city of Nürtingen for their commitment to the community. The initiative focuses in particular on the personal development of the young people, which has always been a priority for the company.
