For many mums and dads, balancing work and childcare is one of the biggest challenges of everyday life. A parents' initiative therefore founded "Linden Kids - Betreuung vor und nach der Schule e.V." 21 years ago. In the meantime, the association has developed into a permanent institution on the neighbouring grounds of the Burgschule in Linden. Two full-time carers and four freelancers look after around 25 girls and boys of primary school age from Monday to Friday. The pupils eat lunch together, do their homework and play indoors or in the outdoor area. "At our centre, we attach great importance to togetherness," assures Ralf Gockel, 1st Chairman of the Linden Kids association. For example, the carers regularly involve the children when preparing the menu. The boys and girls also help to set the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher after the meal - until recently in an old appliance that was already leaking water. "The dishwasher is in use every day and we urgently needed a new one before the old one breaks down completely," explains Ralf Gockel. Heike Richardt, who works in the Customer Services department at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), learnt of this emergency. Her ten-year-old daughter attends Linden primary school and the nearby childcare centre. "The staff at Linden Kids are a huge relief for us working parents. We can rely on the fact that our children are in good hands before and after school. Such facilities and the commitment of the carers deserve support," emphasises Heike Richardt. When looking for the 75 good deeds in the anniversary year, the SWG employee suggested helping the association financially with the planned purchase. On Wednesday 28 August, she presented the symbolic donation cheque for the purchase of a new dishwasher to Ralf Gockel and Sandra Weißert, 2nd Chairwoman of the association, Treasurer Manuela Zörb and Martina Bröscher, Head of the facility. "A big thank you to Stadtwerke Gießen for their financial help with the purchase of the dishwasher," said Manuela Zörb.