Every year, the REWE Group invites people from Cologne who are not doing so well to a Christmas dinner in the fine Gürzenich ballroom. For organiser Christian Pagano, this is a matter close to his heart every year. It is also an experience for the volunteer employees that they will not soon forget.
one: Christian Pagano, the Christmas dinner for the needy in the Gürzenich, a traditional ballroom in Cologne, has been taking place since 2015. You have been involved as an organiser from the very beginning. When do you start planning?
Christian Pagano
Christian Pagano: I make the first arrangements at the beginning of the year, then the actual planning starts three months before the event. My job as project manager is to manage the organisation, set-up and running of the event. I keep an eye on the coordination with the location, the trades, such as technology, decorations and children's programme, the artists and helpers. I take care of the procurement of goods for the gift bags and the logistics.
One: And where do the employees who help on a voluntary basis come into play?
Christian Pagano: They help on site with the realisation of the event, for example decorating the ballroom, packing bags and welcoming guests. In total, around 40 REWE Group employees are involved throughout the day.
one: How many guests attended the Christmas dinner this year? And how do they receive the invitation?
Christian Pagano: We welcomed 810 guests; we work together with five local organisations to do this: Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO), Caritas, Kölner Arbeitslosen Zentrum KALZ, Kölner Tafel and Kölner Freiwilligen Agentur. We give tickets to our contact partners there, who then distribute them to the aid organisations they work with. We would like to include other organisations every year so that we can give as many different people as possible the opportunity to take part in the Christmas dinner over the years.
one: How did the idea for this come about?
Christian Pagano: The original idea came from Frank Bartels, who is Head of Event and Travel Management and therefore my line manager. Our Christmas party for REWE Group employees in Cologne was still being held in the Gürzenich at the time. This led us to consider whether we could use the time-consuming set-up of the event for a good cause on the following day. We then came up with the concept of a Christmas dinner for people in need, and the great thing is that it's not about cultivating REWE Group's image, but simply about doing something good for people who are worse off than we are.
one: What do you personally take away from the event? What motivates you?
Christian Pagano: It was only through the Christmas dinner that I came into closer contact with the issues of homelessness and need and developed a sense of the real challenges these people face. This event grounds me anew every time. At the end of a very intense year, it helps me to realise how well we are doing and what really matters. The guests at the event often don't have the conditions that we have and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to simply be the centre of attention at this event. This gratitude, which is shown to me on this evening, is my motivation.
Christian Pagano is Senior Event Manager in the Event and Travel Management team at REWE Group
A colleague explains why they were involved in the Christmas dinner as helpers and what the event means to them:
"I think it's great that the REWE Group is organising this Christmas event for Cologne residents in need. This is the second time I've taken part and I'm happy to help out by "giving" the people invited a special event and making them happy. This year I was involved in looking after the guests, but I've also helped out in the children's corner. I was able to make contact with the mums and children via the toys there in a very uncomplicated way, and it was positive throughout. This year, too, I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback, the great atmosphere, the gratitude and the joy."
Petra Meyer-Ochel, Head of COE Human Resources Development
"So far, I've been less involved in helping those in need. That's why I was delighted to be involved in the Christmas dinner for the first time. I was responsible for welcoming the guests and handing out the Christmas bags. It was important to me that this event was successful and that the guests had a good time.
The personal contact with the people in need was easy, relaxed and very friendly. It was a very nice experience for me to be able to contribute a little to giving the people in need a good time and to feel their gratitude. I saw many happy faces. However, it also makes me a little sad to see that there are so many people from all walks of life who are in need and to know that it is only a brief moment of happiness for them."
Guido Bollig, stock clerk / provision of goods, PENNY Region West
