Social life or cultural milieu - Hamburg introduces a card for volunteer engagement.
Volunteer cards are becoming more common in various states across the country, and now Hamburg is jumping on the bandwagon. This new program rewards volunteers with discounts or free entry to museums, cheaper shopping prices, sports activities, cafes, and bakeries. Over 400 individuals have already applied for these cards, set to be distributed in the coming days as stated by Hamburg's social welfare department. Currently, more than 30 businesses are participating in the program offering discounts.
Senator for Social Affairs, Melanie Schlotzhauer (SPD), explains that the goal of the volunteer card is to show appreciation and recognize the significant contributions of volunteers to Hamburg's community. She states, "The card is meant to encourage people to continue volunteering while also making it more attractive in Hamburg." According to the department, there are approximately 570,000 volunteers in the city, with nearly half dedicating over three hours per week to their volunteering efforts.
Sigrid Hennig, a 73-year-old who established the "Alsterfrösche" children's choir in Hamburg-Sasel during the 1980s, also praised the initiative. The piano player expressed that she feels she's following her passion and loves what she does, adding that the discounts are a wonderful bonus. "When you can use the card, it's a great feeling, like receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers—it's a reminder of the fascinating work we do." Hennig is hopeful that more organizations will join the program in the future, acknowledging the valuable role volunteers play in society.
Anyone over 16 years old living or working in Hamburg who has volunteered for at least 100 hours a year is eligible to apply for a volunteer card. The social welfare authority predicts that they will distribute up to 10,000 volunteer cards by 2025's end.
In German: In English: Link to image: Linke zu Bild:
Read also:
- Tough return to normality in snow and ice
- Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls
- Trial against BND employee from mid-December
- Xhaka leads Leverkusen to triumph in cup tournament, scoring two goals.
- The volunteer card program in Hamburg also includes discounts for leisure activities, such as visiting the local volunteer fire department on a Sunday for a tour.
- Many children in Hamburg benefit from volunteer work, as organizations like the SPD advocate for improved social affairs and support programs for families.
- On her days off, Sigrid Hennig enjoys volunteering with her children's choir and visiting Hamburg's volunteer-run community centers during her leisure time.
- Volunteering at the local library one Saturday afternoon, a group of young individuals discovered the potential of volunteering within their own community and decided to start a volunteer program at their school the following week.
Source: www.stern.de
