Social
Every fifth child in Austria is affected by poverty, around 6,000 children in Burgenland are at risk of poverty. Some parents cannot afford Christmas presents. There are some organizations and associations that become the Christ Child.
11.12.2020 06.30
Online since today, 6.30 a.m.
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Thousands of Christmas pacts have so far arrived at the distribution center of the Workers’ Samaritan Association in Wulkaprodersdorf. From here, the nationwide “Team Christkind” campaign is being organized together with Swiss Post – with the aim of making poor children happy for Christmas. “Of course we are very happy to receive the presents,” said the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund manager Wolfgang Dihanits. These are books and toys with which the children can also learn something.
Helpers put packages together
This campaign started ten years ago with 50 packages. In the previous year, 9,000 children were given presents. Two helpers have been busy for weeks from morning until late in the evening, sorting, packing and sending the gifts according to their age. “From doll kitchens to doll houses, we have such beautiful things with us. Sometimes it’s just a small thing – we try to put together a nice package that all children will be happy about – no matter who gets it now, “says Kati Lang from Wulkaprodersdorf. On the whole, the donors are very generous.
Great willingness to donate even in the crisis year
“Christmas in a Shoe Box” is a Christian aid organization from the German-speaking area and supports children affected by poverty in around 100 countries worldwide. This year, many Burgenlanders have put themselves in the service of a good cause. They had expected less this year because of the coronavirus crisis, but almost 300 parcels had arrived in Eisenstadt, according to the chairman of the Young ÖVP Burgenland, Sebastian Steiner: “There were schools that supported this – so the encouragement is very high without having to do too much advertising. “
Christmas tree donations requested
Volkshilfe is also asking for Christmas tree donations. Sad but true: there are families in Burgenland who cannot even afford a Christmas tree. “On the Austrian side of Volkshilfe there is also a proposal for basic child benefits. We ask families to support a child so that they get 100 euros per month. We’ll also be there to see what it takes when a child has one hundred euros more a month, ”said the President of Volkshilfe, Verena Dunst.
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