Together with their customers, the store teams from Central Germany collected a record donation of almost 760,000 euros over two years for the children's and youth hospice in Tambach-Dietharz, Thuringia. Now the retailers have finally been able to hand over the cheque.
House manager Franka Köhler gave her visitors an impressive demonstration of what their donations achieve. "We always ask here: what do the families want? A mum once said to me that she just wanted to sleep through the night again. Close the door and read a book." In addition to providing support during the last days of a sick child's life, the hospice also offers respite stays for families, and siblings can also travel here. During his visit to the children's hospice, Thomas Helbig, Sales Department Manager at REWE Ost, emphasised that REWE will continue to be involved in the future. "The families you look after lose loved ones far too early, before they have had a chance to live properly. What you are doing here is a marathon, especially as the need for donations is so high. We will definitely continue to support your work." Klaus-Dieter Heber, one of the founders of the hospice, summarised the importance of the donation partnership at the reception: "Without REWE we wouldn't exist, without you there would be no hospice, full stop."
Thomas Helbig, Sales Department Manager at REWE Ost, with Klaus-Dieter Heber, one of the hospice founders. Copyright: Andreas Hillmann, plusgrad
In 2021 and 2022, the store teams from Central Germany, together with their customers, collected a record donation of almost 760,000 euros. After the coronavirus pandemic, the REWE retailers finally had the opportunity to hand over the cheques from the campaigns and competitions to the hospice's managing director, Nicole Dockhorn, and its director, Franka Köhler. The visit was possible because there were no guests in the hospice due to renovation work.
2.25 million euros donated since 2005
The donation partnership between the food retailer and the children's hospice began 18 years ago with a donation box in a supermarket in Niederorschel. Year after year, the REWE stores intensified their commitment. Today, it is not only the supermarkets in Thuringia that collect donations for the centre in Tambach-Dietharz; stores in western Saxony and southern Saxony-Anhalt are also involved. One campaign has already become a tradition: in December, REWE donates a proportion of the proceeds from the sale of own-brand products to the "Christmas Miracle", which regularly raises six-figure sums. Since 2005, REWE stores have collected a total of around 2.25 million euros for the Central German Children's Hospice. "My thanks for this commitment go to all 200 or so retailers, to all the employees and trainees who bake cakes, organise charity runs and much more. I am also always very pleased that the regional management supports us in this way," said Stefan Bachmann, who has been passionately committed to the company for many years in addition to his work at REWE as an area manager in the sales department.
"We create moments that last" - this is the motto of the Children's and Youth Hospice of Central Germany. Families with terminally ill children can take a break from their exhausting everyday lives at the centre. Whether it's feeling weightless in the swimming pool, cuddling with the therapy dog or excursions for siblings - the hospice team not only provides medical care, but also looks after the emotional well-being of its guests. The centre is largely financed by donations. The construction of the house in 2011 would not have been possible without the benefits of private individuals and companies.
REWE also supports the German Children's Hospice and Family Foundation. In 2021 and 2022, the stores in the eastern German states collected an additional 220,000 euros for the foundation's projects.
Every year, more than 6,500 parents receive the diagnosis that their child is terminally ill. More than 50,000 children and young people with a terminal illness are currently living in Germany. Children's hospices are an important source of support for them and their families. According to the German Children's Hospice Association, there are 20 inpatient children's hospices in Germany.
