Doing good with Advent calendars: associations hope for a response
For weeks now, Advent calendars have been on sale in supermarkets, department stores and drugstores in almost every possible shape, color and with a wide variety of contents. Whether perfume, sweets, drinks, spices or toys - consumers have had the widest choice of 24-door calendars for the pre-Christmas period for years. But there is another way: charitable organizations are increasingly taking advantage of the trend towards individual Advent calendars.
The difference: the money goes to social projects. In Hamburg, the children's aid organization Plan International and the Duckdalben Seamen's Mission, among others, are taking this approach.
Both organizations are also offering "Sinnvoll schenken" Advent calendars for this Christmas season. Plan International uses the money raised to help finance children's aid projects in numerous countries. The children's aid organization in Hamburg announced that behind every little door there are details of a social project that is supported by the purchase of this calendar. These include, for example, a sheep farming project for young people in Bolivia, childcare in Nepal or a project to protect girls from circumcision in Egypt - every cent is used for one of these projects.
"After the successful premiere of the meaningful gift calendar last year, we were able to complete 14 of the 24 projects ahead of schedule thanks to the donations we received," said Kathrin Hartkopf, spokesperson for the management of Plan International Germany.
The social calendar should cost at least 30 euros. If the donation is higher, the money will be distributed proportionally among the 24 projects. The helping calendar can be used as a classic cardboard display in the shape of a star or simply online. The children's charity has been helping children and families for more than 85 years. According to its own information, the organization supports more than 380,000 sponsored children in around 50 countries.
The Seamen's Mission in Hamburg will also be using a donation Advent calendar again in 2023. The maritime Advent calendar for five euros is intended to support the seafarers staying at the Hamburg Seamen's Missions. "On average, around 35,000 seafarers come to us every year," said Sören Wichmann from the Duckdalben Seamen's Club. At the same time, buyers even have the chance to win a lucrative prize: two shipping companies have donated a cruise each as prizes.
There is also the "Christmas in A Box" campaign. Until December 23, standard shoe boxes can be transformed into a gift box containing clothing such as socks, hats, gloves, sweets, toiletries such as deodorant, shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste, with a Christmas greeting in English and Christmas decorations.
The Rotary Club also raises money for the Hamburg Leuchtfeuer hospice and the "Ein Platz für Kinder" foundation by selling around 7,000 calendars.
- Engaging in social affairs during the holiday season, many aid organizations, such as Plan International and the Duckdalben Seamen's Mission in Hamburg, offer customized Advent calendars where purchases contribute to various children's aid projects, including supporting agricultural projects in Bolivia, providing childcare in Nepal, and protecting girls from harmful practices in Egypt.
- At the annual "Christmas in a Box" campaign organized by an unspecified group, children can contribute to the celebration of Christmas by filling standard shoe boxes with essential items like clothing, toiletries, and sweets, all while sending a Christmas greeting in English and decorating the boxes, with the collected items then being donated to children in need.
Source: www.dpa.com
