Instead of sending Christmas presents to its business partners, Stadtwerke Giessen has been donating to various organisations for some time now. This year, the German Red Cross in Giessen can look forward to receiving 5,000 euros.
Most people associate the German Red Cross (DRK) with the typical red and white ambulance or perhaps the medical service at one major event or another. However, the range of services offered by the DRK Kreisverband Marburg-Gießen e. V., which is largely based on volunteers, is many times greater: with comprehensive disaster protection, care and counselling - especially for elderly or sick people -, care and therapy services, day care centres, refugee aid and, last but not least, numerous courses, the DRK takes care of people's worries and needs in many situations. And almost always helps. The DRK is also currently focusing on the coronavirus: the districts of Giessen and Marburg-Biedenkopf have commissioned the Marburg-Gießen district association to manage the two vaccination centres in Heuchelheim and Marburg. The helpers are playing a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic.
Supporting charitable work
"The countless hours volunteered by the employees of the German Red Cross are invaluable. We are only too happy to help them with this important work with a donation," explained Ina Weller, company spokesperson at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), at the cheque presentation on 13 January. As in previous years, SWG once again decided not to send Christmas presents to its business partners in 2020. Instead, the company used the money saved to support charitable institutions or organisations in the region. Specifically, the DRK district organisation can look forward to a donation of 5,000 euros, which Ina Weller handed over to full-time board member Christian Betz. Commercial Director Alexander Mack was also present. "We used another criterion for the selection this time: Our donation should go to an organisation that has done extraordinary work due to the coronavirus pandemic," says Ina Weller, explaining the decision.
Only possible with donations
As with many other aid organisations, the DRK district association's extensive services are financed by donations. "Without our approximately 850 volunteers and around 15,400 supporting members, we would only be able to cover a fraction of what we currently offer," Christian Betz points out, "which is why donations are of course always welcome to support our commitment."
However, the dedicated helpers are not only happy to receive money, but also like-minded people who are willing to lend a hand and are therefore prepared to dedicate some of their free time to the good cause. If you would like to help out, simply contact the district organisation's volunteer coordinators, Dominik Hahn and Cyrill Schacht, on 0641-40006-0 or by email at ehrenamt@drk-mittelhessen.de. The DRK is also happy to accept clothing donations. Incidentally, nobody has to carry larger quantities to the container. By prior arrangement by telephone, someone from the DRK will come round to collect the clothes.