“WOLLEngel’s ‘Summer in a Backpack’ Campaign 2023 Provides Relief for the Homeless in Düsseldorf”

Many needy people in Düsseldorf already know the WOLLEngel, because the circle of knitters provides them with warming, self-knitted clothing in winter. But the two chairmen, Tanja Elle and Sabine Schmitz, know that winter is not the only challenge for the homeless. Because in addition to the winter cold, the hot, oppressive summer months also bring many dangers such as sunburn, dehydration or heat stroke. This is how the idea for “Summer in a backpack” came about, which began in 2021 with 50 backpacks in cooperation with Flingern mobil. In 2022 there were already 600 backpacks distributed across various organizations. Now the WOLLEngel are using the days around Ascension Day for their 2023 campaign.

Since the campaign was very well received by the needy, it will be expanded again: 800 backpacks were packed and equipped with things that are important on the streets in summer: a recyclable metal drinking bottle, a cap, sunglasses, a towel, plaster box, Cosmetic items, condoms, lighter and dextrose. After the feedback from last year, this time also mosquito spray. The pupils of the Astrid-Lindgren elementary school on Leuthenstrasse had talked about homelessness during their project week and wanted to support again. They made 800 sweet lucky charms.

The elementary school students did handicrafts

Numerous supporters

The WOLLEngel financed the backpacks from donations. Last year, for example, the Wempe company gave the honorary work award “A Radschlag für Düsseldorf” worth 5,000 euros. And Wempe not only transferred money, employee Caroline Marques also helped pack the backpacks.
In terms of content, there was support from sponsors or the opportunity to buy at special prices. More than 15,000 euros flowed into the project from the WOLLEngeln alone. The forwarding agency Küchler was once again on hand for the logistics, not only providing storage space on Himmelgeister Straße. Authorized officer Svenja Poel also lent a hand when it came to packing the 800 bags.

There were 800 high-quality drinking bottles from the Stepstone company

Distribution across organizations

As a big community campaign, the backpacks on Flingern mobil, the drug advice center komm:pass, the SKFM, Knackpunkt, the drug help Düsseldorf, the good night bus from Vision:share, aXept!, the specialist advice center Horizon, the café pur, the station mission , Shelter, which will be handed over to Franzfreunde and to the Ariadne team. The organizations then distribute the backpacks directly to people on the street as part of their work.

“Düsseldorfer WOLLEngel”

It all started in May 2019 with Tanja Elle’s idea to support people in need with warm, self-knitted things. She went to work and was not left alone. More and more knitters wanted to support the commitment and so an association was founded together with Sabine Schmitz. It now has over 270 members who are busy letting their needles clatter. The association has set itself the goal of doing good with the woolly hobby and giving warmth. Hats, scarves, loops, socks, blankets, sweaters and much more are created. While the beginnings could still be done in the founders’ apartments, a storage room had to be set up now, at whose large table knitting meetings are also invited. The association is a win for all sides, because the needy are happy about warm things and the knitters are happy to be able to help with their handicrafts. If you want to help the WOLLEngeln, you don’t necessarily have to be able to knit. Because they are happy about donations of wool, which are then distributed to knitters or also about monetary donations. Further information is available here.