ON Semiconductor and the ON Semiconductor Foundation Assist Salberghaus in Germany with an Employee Holiday Drive and a Grant to Establish a Music Therapy Program

ON Semiconductor employees based in Germany are regular supporters of the Munich charity Salberghaus. It provides a wide range of inpatient, semi-inpatient and outpatient services, as well as in day-care centers for children between the ages of two weeks and 10 years, and their families. In addition, Salberghaus also helps these families with other child needs such as diapers, care products, etc. Currently, there are 65 children living at its facility.

In an effort to support the charity’s ongoing programming needs, German ON Semiconductor employees continued their annual tradition and held a donation drive for the holidays benefitting Salberghaus for the fifth year in a row. The donation drive items included hand sanitizers, diapers, baby/childcare products, children toothbrushes/toothpaste, clothes, toys and school/craft supplies.

“Over the past five years, Salberghaus has become a member of the ON Semiconductor family in Germany. Our employees are continuously looking for ways to give back and volunteer in projects on-site. Even with all the pandemic-related restrictions, the team went out of its way to donate goods to help Salberghaus during these difficult times,” said Joseph Notaro, vice president of worldwide automotive strategy and business development and grant advisor for the ON Semiconductor Foundation.

Prior to the event, the Munich team was able to collect over $2,600 USD from various employee fundraising initiatives and bought many of the items on the charity’s wish list as well as 700 FFP2 masks and 50 quick COVID tests as these items were desperately needed.

“Right now, handling the corona-crisis feels a bit like the middle episode of a marathon. We are still running, but a little bit out of breath. In this situation, it was great to receive a helping hand from ON Semiconductor – not only by offering donations but also showing they care and want to stay in touch,” said Agnes Gschwendtner, Salberghaus’ facility manager.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation also contributed to the cause and was able to support the efforts with an online giving campaign and matching employees’ donations (almost $2,000 USD!). In addition, the ON Semiconductor Foundation awarded a $10,000 USD fall 2020 grant. These funds will allow the charity to establish a music therapy initiative for children, babies and toddlers who receive care at their facility. Children from high-stress family systems and those experiencing behavioral or emotional disorders will be able to benefit from the support of a skilled therapist. 

Many people refer to music as a universal language. Music therapy is rooted in the healing effect it has on human beings. Music therapy also has proven to be an effective way to address physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of children, seniors and people with disabilities. Every year on March 1, World Music Therapy Day shines a light on music therapists worldwide to showcase how music provides a way to make life better and more fulfilling. ON Semiconductor employees are excited that this funding to Salberghaus provides music therapy.

“Investing in the communities in which we operate and where our employees live is critical to our organization as we look to continue our legacy of giving and volunteering,” said Theresa Haywood-McCarley, senior director of corporate social responsibility at ON Semiconductor and board secretary for the ON Semiconductor Foundation.

For more information about how ON Semiconductor supports the local communities where it has operations, visit ON Semiconductor Foundation.