"There is a little superhero in each of us!" Interview with Dorota, Noble Parcel organiser at InPost

W #TeamInPost not only do we grow dynamically by implementing innovative solutions, but we also work together to help those most in need . For the second consecutive year our employees got involved in the organisation of the Noble Parcel on their own initiative - campaign to help the poorest families. We are proud of the fact that this grassroots initiative unites a growing number of people each year, focused on a common goal. In this year's edition, aid will go to three families. A unique gift was also funded by the Board itself. A specialised wheelchair will go this year to Ms Wanda, a young disabled girl who has found herself in an extremely difficult situation at the start of her life.

The campaign would not have taken place had it not been for Dorota Potelicka, our colleague from the Krakow office, who initiated the project at InPost.

Dorota has been working with us for 6 years and this is the fourth time she has been responsible for the organisation of the Noble Parcel in our company. On a daily basis, she works in the IT Infrastructure and Technical Support Department in the IT Operations Support Team. She loves the energy that the organisation of this unique campaign gives her. She infects others with positive emotions, which translates into a growing group of people involved in the action.

How did it all begin? Dorota wanted to tell us about the challenges and touching moments involved in coordinating Noble Parcel in a special Christmas interview!

Dorota, you are working at InPost for the sixth year, actively supporting the IT Operations Support Team . You happen to joke that work is almost a second home for you already. :)

You derive satisfaction not only from the day-to-day tasks, but also from coordinating the annual Noble Parcel among employees. Since when have you been involved in this initiative?

This is my fourth edition. Initially, the action involved a few people working in our organisation. Today, the initiative has already taken on a company-wide status in the Krakow area. In my heart of hearts, I am hoping for even greater growth. I would very much like to involve the other branches in Poland and go full InPost steam ahead, because we have the power! :)

How did it happen that you became the leader of this initiative in our company?

I simply decided to broach the subject, which, like a "snowball", rolled on its own and is still rolling on. Ba, it is gaining good momentum - people want to help! :)

There is a little 'superhero' in each of us - we just need to 'call him/her out and point him/her in the right direction'. I have a flair for organisation and I really enjoy it! I have experience of organising mass events for around 2,000 people, so you could say I'm not afraid and I know which way to go. Nevertheless, I admit that I have quite a problem with public speaking. Going on stage or on camera gives me anxiety! (laughs)

Why did you decide to get involved with Noble Parcel?

Because I like people. :) Mostly this is thanks to my parents and the good souls around me - thanks to them I am who I am today. It was my loved ones who instilled strong values in me, such as helping fellow human beings and every living thing. On the subject of animals, I am doubly fixated!

I know that life is not all roses, nothing falls from the sky for us, unless trouble.... We all have bigger or smaller problems that we face, no matter how thick our wallets are. Nevertheless, we deal with them in some way and try to get out of the situation - we have the means to do so: the support of friends, family, a job in a good place. Not everyone is so lucky...

A fortuitous event can happen to any of us, even if we lead a happy family with a stable economic situation. It's an instant and our whole life collapses in a few seconds. We lose everything we have created up to that point, not to mention our psyche. It is also worth bearing in mind people who have simply had a 'worse start'.

It is important to help. We will not get poorer by buying a needy person an iron or an extra pair of shoes this year. We will not change our standard of living if we give up yet another "junk" bought in the shopping centre under the influence of emotions. On the other hand, by giving a simple everyday item to a person in need, we can sometimes make a difference. Firstly, goodness returns with redoubled force, and secondly, you never know when you will need help.

What specifically do you do in our company as part of the organisation of the Noble Parcel?

Practically the whole process, but we cannot leave out our wonderful participants here. In addition to buying the products, quite a few people in our company get heavily involved in the whole action, among other things by donating their time. Many thanks for this! Organising such an event involves a lot of responsibility. On this scale, it would be impossible to do it alone. It is only thanks to them that this has developed so wonderfully. Special thanks go to Ola, Marta and Agnieszka - they practically organised the whole event this year and did it perfectly. (Girls, you are irreplaceable!).

What is your step-by-step approach to this initiative? When do you start your preparations?

The process of creating parcels can be described in a few steps:

1. about two months before the launch, we start collecting applications from willing donors. The list is slowly filling up. It takes some time before the information reaches everyone, so do not do it at the last bell.

2. the day before the launch, i.e. the opening of the family bases, my task is to count the registered participants and to "feel out the situation" on the basis of interviews and stories. All this is done in order to make a forecast of possible additional receipts and an overall estimate of our 'capacities'.

3 I select the families and present them to the rest of the campaigners in a special group, using our internal communicator. I prepare a list of needs in points. I try to include more and less demanding items, so that everyone can 'fit' something to their abilities and complete their 'package' 100%.

4. at the point of 'giving away points', the avalanche builds up. People start to feel the vibe and more volunteers appear. Goodness is contagious! This is when we usually match another family. It is a joy not of this earth!

In addition, we are launching an in-house fundraiser - this is an option for people who do not have the time to cover the topic more extensively, but would be happy to add something from themselves.

The collection of gifts takes place in-house. I am always very grateful for the provision of a safe piece of floor space - I know it is quite a challenge. With the money raised for the tin, we fund larger needs, such as a fridge, washing machine or rehabilitation, for example.

5 We organise the 'big packing' at the appointed time. After work, we bring the products to our large kitchen in the afternoon, sort and pack them into cardboard boxes. They are then nicely wrapped in Christmas paper and labelled with the appropriate family code. Contrary to what you might think, this sorting takes a lot of time. Once we sat up until midnight! Despite the tiredness, there is always plenty of laughter accompanying us. New inter-departmental friendships are also often made. :)

6. the packed parcels await the "weekend of miracles" - named by the foundation as the time when the parcels are delivered to the warehouses. This is usually the St. Nicholas weekend, around 6-8 December. Sometimes it happens that a family agrees to hand over the gifts in person, inviting them for a cup of warm tea. It is a very emotional experience!

7 After handing out the parcels, we return home happy and positively energised. We think about the next edition, wiser about what we can do to bring even more joy next year. Very often we also get some trinkets from the families in our care - usually handmade. These are very nice touches!

What is the biggest challenge in organising such a campaign?

I guess it is the choice of the family. It's such a 'poking' at people's misfortune and choosing the 'better' option. Unfortunately, it has to be done and with a lot of consideration. I take responsibility for the money and trust of a large group of people, and I have to heavily recalculate the needs to meet them all.

Also, to my surprise, there are families in the database who estimate their income to be quite sufficient for a decent standard of living. It is my job to give a guarantee to our donors that the aid will end up in the right hands.

What do you enjoy most about working on the Noble Pack?

Helping others gives me a nice "kick"! I think that such a "lesson in humility", at least once a year, is useful for everyone to offset the effects of living in the 21st century. What's wonderful about the whole event is the integration with other people, a good dose of laughter and valuable new friendships - you can't buy that for any money!

What would you advise people who are thinking about taking part in this initiative?

Then I might use a statement by Erich Fromm: "He is not rich who has much, but he who gives much''.

What do you think sets Noble Parcel apart from other campaigns of its kind?

There are a lot of organisations running interesting projects. I personally take part in a few, for example I adopted 30 bees that I am panic-stricken about, but I know they are needed. I am not a fan of donating money in the form of cash, for two reasons.

Yes, I have faith in people, this faith has been a little eroded over time, but I still try to maintain it. We live in times where dishonesty and combinations are very common. To a certain extent, we are able to control this - if only through actions where we collect specific products, we have some control over this. Apart from that, we can also often run into a problem where one of the family members embezzles money for alcohol, drugs or gambling. Then, in order to help such people, we need to cut them off from the money and offer another form of support. The Noble Parcel makes it possible to provide just such help - tangible and genuine.

Do you meet the families you have helped?

Yes, as I said before, it is very disciplining. Meeting poverty face to face, confronting human tragedy, at a time when we treat the lack of funds for yet another gadget as a total disaster, re-evaluates a person, forcing them to reflect deeply.

The people gifted are extremely grateful, it is hard to describe their joy and respect for the donation received.

"This blouse I will wear to church on Sunday", "Slippers, gorgeous! They'll be waiting at the sanatorium", "A book.... I've always dreamed of one (crying)". Often they start bringing baked cakes from the kitchen, cucumbers, tomatoes from their own garden, just to be able to give back in a small way.

What is your fondest memory associated with organising Noble Parcel?

I regard this whole period as a pleasant experience and a beautiful memory! This year, however, it gave me immeasurable joy to hear about so many good hearts, the abundant collection and the support of our Board of Directors and the pledge to fund an electric wheelchair for Mrs Wanda. This is a beautiful gesture, thank you!

How can you get involved in this initiative?

You can help in various ways. It does not have to be financial help. I realise that there are people who cannot afford to contribute because they are currently on a tight budget. In that case, they can help pack the parcels, bake a cake and thus make packing time more pleasant. Everyone can also help to stack, carry or transport prepared parcels to the warehouse. We work from the heart, nobody imposes anything on anyone - you decide for yourself whether you will wrap socks, the fridge or simply wrap a gift in colourful paper. No one will judge or hold you accountable, there is no better or worse help, each is unique, just be. :)

What do you do outside of work and Noble Parcel? Do you have any passion?

I have! Quite recently, but I've really got into it - I've been playing around with what I call quilling. It's a very calming hobby, perfect for my twisted character! (laughs)

Dorota, thank you for being willing to share your experience of coordinating this wonderful initiative in our company. We believe that the group of people involved in the Noble Parcel will continue to grow! We wish you never to lose your enthusiasm and energy for helping others!

What unites us at InPost is not only the pursuit of common goals and the creation of innovative solutions, but also the desire to help those most in need. We know how important people are, which is why together we get involved in charity events, donate blood and support people fighting diseases. And we still have plenty of strength!