Successful charity initiative

2,079 gifts for disadvantaged children and adolescents

With its wishing tree initiative the 'help and hope' foundation made it possible for 2079 disadvantaged children and adolescents to receive a Christmas gift in 2016. 'help and hope' has been supporting the Christmas charity activities of a number of not-for-profit organisations since 2012. In 2016 no less than 20 institutions benefited from the wishing tree initiative. In addition to financing a Christmas tree for the institution, every child had the possibility to wish for a gift costing €10.

"It's not just a question of toys, paints, a doll, a book or CD. In many cases the gift represents the child's very first own toy, something which had not previously belonged to someone else. It's a matter of providing a moment of joy in a world in which many of these children have experienced rejection and poverty. This moment is valuable not just in material terms but also emotionally, because receiving a gift from someone is a special feeling," states Judith Hesselink, who is responsible for promoting the 'help and hope' projects.

The 'help and hope' foundation provided the institutions with wishing stars, on which the children were able to write or paint their wishes. In 2016 no less than 2079 children received their own Christmas gift, more than in any other previous year.

"For many children the wishing tree gift is the only thing they receive at Christmas. For children Christmas is the most wonderful celebration of the year. We therefore intent to continue making our contribution towards seeing happiness in the eyes of these children, because that's the most wonderful reward for everyone involved," says Sandra Heller, Director of the 'help and hope' foundation.

The 'help and hope' foundation would like to thank Mercure Hotel in Dortmund, which donated € 300 and accordingly decorated the various Christmas trees with 30 wishing stars. Centro Hotel Group also actively supported the wishing tree initiative and received around 400 stars for the Christmas trees at its 30 hotel locations in Germany.