When Evangelos Vandoros from Thermo Fisher Scientific first set out to coordinate a large-scale volunteer event, he expected plenty of logistical hurdles. What he didn’t expect was the incredible enthusiasm from volunteers and how easy it was to plan an Assembly Day with the Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia (BKFA). With support from local volunteer teams and BKFA, Evangelos organised over 100 volunteers spread across three locations in England, resulting in 1,200 kits assembled.
Evangelos’s story is just one example why Thermo Fisher’s Assembly Day events have grown in popularity and impact. The company hosted its first Assembly Day event in 2023 with 100 colleagues gathered at six Thermo Fisher sites across Australia and New Zealand. Following the success of that first event, Thermo Fisher quickly realised how easy it was to coordinate meaningful large-scale volunteer activities with BKFA. In 2024, Thermo Fisher expanded its involvement, and to date, they have hosted 51 Assembly Days and assembled over 18,000 birthing kits with thousands more purchased for future events.
Our Q&A with Evangelos Vandoros shows the behind-the-scenes planning involved with hosting an Assembly Day event.
How did you plan and prepare for an Assembly Day event?
“I began by connecting with other event coordinators who had hosted an Assembly Day previously. From their experience, I learned that a team of 10 volunteers could assemble around 100 kits per hour. Using that as my benchmark, I began to plan the event.
The first step was to set a date. Since the event wasn’t tied to a local cause, I wanted to connect it to a meaningful occasion that would inspire participation. I decided to host the event in June during Health Equity month, part of Thermo Fisher’s Healthier Communities campaign. This felt like a perfect way to connect our efforts to a larger purpose and encourage colleagues to get involved.
Once the date was confirmed, I secured funding, booked a large meeting room with tables and completed the BKFA Assembly Day Application. Prior to the event, BKFA reached out and provided incredibly helpful support. They shared detailed packing instructions, an Assembly Day Manual, a YouTube video demonstrating the kit assembly process, and marketing material to make promoting the event simple. Any time I had a question, BKFA replied promptly, which made the entire planning process feel smooth and well-supported.”
How did you create a positive and efficient experience on Assembly Day?
“To make the day enjoyable and engaging, I played music and encouraged conversations among volunteers. Each packing station had clear, visual instructions to ensure that every kit was assembled correctly. Once the event wrapped up, shipping the kits was easy. BKFA already provided the shipping labels and arranged the courier, so all we had to do was pack everything up and send it off.
I appreciate the support I received from BKFA. They made the planning process easy. I was able to focus my attention on bringing people together and create a meaningful experience for everyone involved.”
What surprised you most about your Assembly Day experience?
“At one of our locations, we weren’t sure how many volunteers would attend, so we planned for a flexible, three-day event where people could drop in anytime between 10am. to 3pm. Our goal was to assemble 600 kits, but to our surprise, the entire task was completed on the first day in under five hours thanks to an incredible show of volunteer support.”
What was the most meaningful part of the event for you?
“This type of large-scale event tends to bring people together, uniting teams around a shared purpose. Many volunteers were surprised by the simplicity of the birthing kit contents – items like string or a scalpel – and they often expressed disbelief that such basic tools could have a profound impact. It was a powerful reminder that not everyone has access to a clean, safe birthing environment and that even small acts of service can make a real difference.”
Thermo Fisher first got involved with the BKFA in 2023 when colleagues were looking for volunteer opportunities that aligned with their company’s mission and corporate social responsibility goals. The initial event involved 100 team members gathered at six Thermo Fisher sites across Australia and New Zealand.
Following the success of that first event, Thermo Fisher quickly realised how easy it was to coordinate meaningful large-scale volunteer activities with BKFA. In 2024, Thermo Fisher expanded its partnership by offering additional funding and employee engagement opportunities.
To date, Thermo Fisher has contributed more than $117,000, hosted 51 Assembly Days, and assembled over 18,000 birthing kits with thousands more purchased for future events.
At BKFA, we’re incredibly grateful for partners like Thermo Fisher Scientific and the individuals who bring these events to life.
You too can make a difference by hosting an Assembly Day. It’s easy! Just complete our short form, and we will reach out to discuss details.
At the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia (BKFA), we believe that every woman has the right to a clean and safe birth. Corporate partners and community groups help bring BKFA’s mission to life by uniting volunteers to participate in Assembly Day events. Together, volunteers assemble hundreds of birthing kits that help protect the health and dignity of women in vulnerable communities around the world. These events are made possible through the commitment of volunteer coordinators who plan, organize, and inspire volunteers to take action.