PepsiCo and ‘Draw a Smile’ Partner To Bring Smiles To UAE Workers

PepsiCo, the global food and beverage company has partnered with ‘Draw a Smile', a social support volunteering organization, to ease the heat for communities hard at work in UAE’s soaring temperatures.

As part of the initiative, PepsiCo will contribute 30,000 Aquafina bottles and 5,000 cans of soft drinks to laborers and security personnel working tirelessly in the heat, creating memorable moments for these unsung heroes.

“The partnership with ‘Draw a Smile’ truly reflects our commitment to ‘winning with purpose’. We believe that growth and prosperity are incomplete, unless we pass on their benefits to those who have helped us build and progress over the years. 2020 has been a challenging year for us all -- some more than others, and now more than ever, we need more than just lip service. We need to use our power and influence to give back to the community, and inspire hope & positivity,” said Aamer Sheikh, President and General Manager at PepsiCo Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.

Since 2018, via the ‘Cool Their Summer’ campaign, ‘Draw a Smile’ has donated over 25,000 bottles of water and juices to laborers and workers with the support of various individuals and companies.

Ahmed Ali, Founder, Draw a Smile, said: “We are grateful for PepsiCo’s generous contribution that will bring joy to more people, providing a moment of calm in these tumultuous times. We want people to realize that a small gesture of handing over a cold beverage, water, or ice cream to someone in the heat can make a big difference and we hope that this serves as a moment of calm reflection for all of us, who are in a position to help. We urge people to take this up in their own communities and be the reason for someone’s smile today.”

Bicycles with coolers will make stops at various construction sites in Dubai, handing over cold water, soft drinks, and caps to help workers battle the searing heat. PepsiCo will also provide t-shirts and organize transportation for volunteers on ground.

So far, PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation, along with its local bottling network and partners, have contributed a total of $5 million to provide relief to COVID-19 hotspots across the MENA region. The “Cool their Summer” initiative will offer ongoing support to communities, complementing PepsiCo’s global efforts via local initiatives.