How important it is in life to share suffering, but above all joy. Those who have something should be happy to give to those in need; it can also do you good inside. Knowing this, and out of its social responsibility, the Tagesspiegel launched its Christmas donation campaign more than three decades ago.
It is now impossible to imagine the capital region without “Helping people!”. For 32 years, the association of Tagesspiegel employees has been helping people in need in Berlin, Brandenburg and around the world. In 31 years, more than 10 million euros have been raised for more than 1,000 projects.
The charity collects donations at Christmas and on the occasion of crises or wars. For example, we have the major Tagesspiegel-Ukraine emergency aid As a result of the war of aggression, we were able to give 535,000 euros to three projects from the “Alliance for Development Helps” and provide 125,000 euros in new aid for projects run by regional organizations in Berlin and Brandenburg.
We pass on the money from the readers of the Tagesspiegel to projects and initiatives that are charitable and non-profit and have been selected by the jury of the donation association. The recipients of the donations must then send in financial statements and receipts.
Many foundations are also among the recipients. Some of the most recent examples: After the 2021/2022 Christmas campaign, the Hoffnungstaler Stiftung Lobetal used 1071.96 euros for digital networking after the pandemic, and four tablets and keyboards were purchased. Also in 2021/22, the donation association donated 5,470 euros to the Stephanus Children’s Hospice Service of the Stephanus Foundation for the support of grieving children and young people, for craft materials, travel expenses and meals.
Further examples: After the 2019/2020 campaign, the Stephanus Foundation received 7,000 euros to equip rooms for bereavement groups and thank-you gifts for volunteers in outpatient children’s hospice work and family support. The Berlin Help Foundation also received 4,700 euros for its “Kiez Kids – Opportunities for children from addicted and socially disadvantaged families”.
A tradition: helping the homeless
Supporting the homeless has always been a priority for the newspaper and its readers. In 2016/2017, “Menschen helfen!” was able to finance a commercial dishwasher for Jenny de la Torre’s health center with 5,000 euros.
A recurring theme at “Helping People!”: the integration of refugees. In 2014/15, the Jona Foundation received 8,489.30 euros for school containers, learning materials and equipment to support language learning for primary school children in asylum seekers’ homes.
In 2015/2016, we donated money to the Sozdia Foundation Berlin for their then new intercultural youth hostel, a facility for unaccompanied minor refugees, for trekking bikes and play equipment. During the same Christmas donation campaign, the Unionhilfswerk Berlin Foundation received a financial injection to help train volunteers for language courses for refugees and provide support for helpers in two shelters.
This is how it continues
Preparations are now underway for the 2024/25 Christmas donation campaign. We will soon be providing information in the newspaper and online about the top aid topics this year and the application options for social organizations.
The donation account is open to readers all year round. If you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to leave money to the Tagesspiegel donations association through your estate or will, you can contact us at any time via the email address [email protected]. Thank you for your support!
