The volunteers at the station mission in Giessen support travellers and offer those in need a free meal and a sympathetic ear. Stadtwerke Giessen is now supporting this commitment with a donation of 5,000 euros.
Whether it's help with boarding the train or a free sandwich: The station mission in Giessen is a living example of charity. Six days a week, 22 volunteers look after elderly passengers or those with disabilities. And those in need. Many of them regularly visit the station mission at platform 1. "Not primarily for breakfast," says Christine Wessely, head of the centre, "but because they want to talk to someone. They are simply lonely." Even if someone is injured at the station or a person loses consciousness in the concourse or on one of the platforms, the angels in blue rush to help. Their unconditional help is rewarded: with the wonderful feeling of actually making a difference.
Supporting charitable work
"The countless hours volunteered by the employees of the station mission are invaluable. We are only too happy to support the work of the Blue Angels with a donation," explains Ina Weller, company spokesperson at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), on the occasion of the cheque presentation on 18 January on the premises of the station mission.
As in previous years, SWG once again refrained from sending Christmas presents to its business partners in 2018. Instead, the company donated the money saved to charitable institutions or organisations in the region. For example, the Gießen railway station mission was delighted to receive a donation of 5,000 euros, which Ina Weller presented to Christine Wessely. Also present were Holger Claes, Director of the Diakonisches Werk Gießen, and Margret Keuler, Deputy Director of the station mission.
Work only possible with donations
As with many other organisations, donations form the basis of the station mission's funding. "Without the numerous donations, we wouldn't be able to do our work," Christine Wessely points out. That's why the Angels in Blue generate a large proportion of the necessary donations themselves: From March to October, they are out and about on the first Monday of every month in their uniforms with sealed collection tins bearing the logo on the station grounds and on the forecourt. Always with them: their badge. This is a very important feature. Because the document distinguishes the genuine helpers from fraudsters who collect in the name of the station mission but pocket the money themselves.
Actively helping out
The angels in blue are always looking for like-minded people to lend a hand.If you would like to help out, simply get in touch on site to arrange a job shadowing appointment. Donations of clothes or books are also always very welcome at the station mission.