Even Elfun, a global organisation of GE employees and retirees, has time and again proved the company's commitment to the society. In the year 2000, GE family reached its target of providing one million hours per year of volunteer service to youth. At present, there as many as 40,000 volunteers internationally.

While Elfun started as early as 1928 internationally, the Elfun chapter of India was launched only in 1999. But the delay, says Mr Arjun Singh, vice-chairman, GE Elfun, Delhi Chapter, has in no way affected the work of the Indian chapter. Says Mr Scott Bayman, president and CEO, GE India: "Our volunteers' enthusiasm reflects the personal dedication of our people to give back to the society some part of what it has given them."

The Delhi Chapter commenced its activities by conducting a blood donation drive at various business locations in Delhi, in co-ordination with the Indian Red Cross Society. 500 units of blood were collected by donations from 450 GE employees to aid thalassaemic patients.

Another successful project of the Delhi chapter is its Mobile Creche in Nehru Place, New Delhi. Started in July 1999, the creche is involved with baby sitting/care taking of over 250 underprivileged children from the adjoining slums while their parents are out to work as labourers at construction sites. Every Saturday, about 20 Elfuns visits this Creche and spends time with these children. This involves playing, teaching as well as organising outings and competitions for these children.

Today, the Delhi chapter is involved with a number of NGOs and working in different fields. A painting competition for 80 underprivileged children, the theme being environment, saw enthusiastic participation. These paintings were then used as posters at various GE locations to increase participation for a tree planting event, which saw as many as 400 trees being planted in Delhi.

The Delhi Chapter also helped in setting up a chapter in Bangalore which began in May 1999. Today, Elfun movement in India has some 350 members contributing in different welfare activities. Other projects supported by the Elfun chapter of India include CRY (Child Relief and You), Kalkar Trust for Special Education, Sumangali Seva Ashrama, The Richmond fellowship Society (India), Rebekah Ann Naylor School of Nursing at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Spastics Society of Karnataka and Mumbai-based Vinimay Trust.

Says Mr N V Tyagarajan, chairman, Delhi Elfun Chapter, "Our young team of volunteers are always energised to make the difference." `Bringing good things to life' is not just a jingle with the company.