This year, anyone can join our annual Christmas drive—which usually involves thousands of participants—by purchasing a few small items, which we will then help deliver to those most in need.
Although most of the year has already passed, and we have had some very eventful and action-packed months, we are by no means done with the hard work of this year. The year’s biggest events are still ahead of us: the Christmas food distributions, which we are organizing at two additional locations in Budapest in addition to the now-traditional three-day food distribution at Blaha Lujza Square. We are also preparing special holiday events in several provincial cities and small towns, such as Debrecen, Eger, and Pécs. Last year, we were able to make the holidays a little easier and more joyful for more than 6,000 people nationwide in this way.
Just as in previous years, we are already beginning our preparations so that we can make the holidays more joyful for as many families, single people, and elderly people in need as possible this year. This year, we decided to involve everyone who would like to contribute to the success of this holiday campaign right from the very beginning of our preparations. We have launched a large-scale food drive, which began on October 16, World Food Day, and will run through November 14. The campaign works on the principle that „many small contributions add up to a lot”: We invite anyone who would like to help to support our Christmas food drive by donating 1 kg of sugar, 1 liter of cooking oil, or any sweets, and encourage your acquaintances, friends, colleagues, and family members to do the same. (Of course, those who are able to do so may donate larger quantities!) We also welcome donations of toys and clothing. Donations can be dropped off every day of the week between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at our center in Budapest’s 3rd District (1039 Budapest, Lehel utca 15-17).
When we were planning the campaign, some people asked what was the point of thinking on such a small scale, since a single kilogram of sugar or a few pieces of candy couldn’t possibly change anyone’s life. In light of this, let us share a beautiful story that fits the occasion:
One beautiful dawn, a young man was strolling along the beach. Suddenly, he noticed an elderly man in front of him, walking slowly and leisurely through the sand, stopping now and then to bend down or stand up straight. As he got closer, the young man approached the elderly man and asked him what he was doing.
“See, son? The tide has washed these starfish ashore,” explained the old man, without stopping his bending for a moment.
“Yeah, that’s always what happens,” the boy nodded.
“It’s low tide now. The sunlight would destroy the stars left out in the open,” the old man continued, bending down to pick up another star. “I’m trying to save them.”.
“But the beach is miles and miles long, and there are millions of starfish lying out there. The beach is full of them,” said the boy. “You can’t save them all anyway, so what’s the difference?”
The old man bent down to pick up another star, then, with a twinkle in his eye, gently tossed it into the waves.
“This one really matters!” he replied with deep conviction.
This story illustrates that in order to help others and do good for them, we don’t necessarily have to move mountains. Often, a seemingly small act can help change other people’s lives. So we don’t have to perform miracles—just do as much as we can. But we must do what we can for others, because it matters to them!
For more information: 20/550-5791