The wish tree campaign in Leichlingen was a complete success again this year: All 246 Christmas wishes submitted could be fulfilled. This was made possible by the great willingness to help of the people of Leichlingen, the committed commitment of numerous volunteers and the generous support of partners and donors.
„Every single wish stands for a person and a personal story. The fact that we were able to fulfil all 246 wishes this year impressively shows how great the solidarity is in Leichlingen “, explains the organizing team of the wish tree campaign.
The wishes once again reflected a wide range of needs. Children wanted toys, books, sweets, school supplies or urgently needed winter clothing. Seniors were happy about practical everyday things such as food, household items or small attentions, which often have a much greater meaning than their material value suggests.
“It’s not always the big gifts – often it’s the little things that show people: You’re seen, you’re heard and you’re not alone,” says the organizing team.
When the gifts were handed out, there were always very moving moments. Children held their parcels tightly to them, parents were visibly relieved and grateful, and it was not uncommon for senior citizens to stand in front of the door with tears in their eyes – out of gratitude that someone had thought of them.
Two encounters will be particularly memorable for the organizing team.
A single mother who is seriously ill took time for a longer conversation. The gratitude for the gift – and the story behind it – was so touching that it brought tears to the eyes of even experienced helpers.
Another moment occurred when handing over a food voucher to an elderly gentleman. Without many words, he hugged the helper, burst into tears and thus showed what this gift meant to him.
„These are moments that you don’t forget. They show that this is not about gifts, but about dignity, humanity and the feeling of not being alone “, says the organizing team.
Many people were already eagerly awaiting the organizing team and wanted to thank them with an invitation for a tea or coffee.
„It pains us every year to have to turn down these invitations. But while we are standing at one door, children are still waiting for their presents in another place “, explains the organizing team.
What was almost always possible, however, were small gestures “on the hand”.
“Homemade Turkish pizza, pastries, biscuits or other small things were given to us – gestures that came from the heart and accompanied us on the next paths,” reports the organizing team.
This year, too, the operation was intensive until the end. On December 24, more gifts arrived, which were wrapped and distributed at short notice. Nevertheless, the organization team is proud that all gifts could be distributed personally over the Christmas days.
„Where no one was at home, we left a letter in the mailbox – with information on how and when to contact us. It was important to us that no one was forgotten “, says the organizing team.
In recent years, it has already happened occasionally that Christmas wishes were taken from the wishing tree, but in the end were not fulfilled. This year, this problem was much greater: Around 50 wish cards were taken from the tree, but the corresponding gifts were not returned.
“For us as an organization, this is a great challenge every time – we are all the more grateful that we did not have to disappoint anyone this year either,” emphasizes the organizing team.
Thanks to the great helpfulness of other supporters and the donation from Globolus, all 246 wishes could still be fulfilled in full. The organization team jumped in at short notice, so that no wish remained unfulfilled.
Unfortunately, six families have not yet been able to receive their gifts because they have not responded despite several attempts to contact them by phone and e-mail. The gifts are still ready.
„We very much hope that these families will still get in touch – the gifts are waiting and should arrive exactly where they are intended. If no one gets in touch, the gifts will be used for the next wish tree campaign “, explains the organizing team.
Special thanks go to all volunteers, the participating shops, schools, kindergartens and institutions as well as all supporters who contributed to the successful implementation of the wish tree campaign with great commitment.
“Without this strong network of volunteers, companies and committed citizens, an action of this magnitude would not be possible,” it concludes.
Year after year, the wish tree campaign shows how strong the cohesion is in Leichlingen. Solidarity, humanity and charity are not only named here, but lived out in many small and large moments in a very concrete way.
The organizing team looks back on the campaign with great gratitude and is already looking forward to the continuation next year.
