The "Ein Herz für Kinder" gala on the second Saturday of Advent live on ZDF attracted millions of viewers - and a star-studded line-up to the TV studio. Among the celebrities on the red carpet: a delegation of charitable nahkauf retailers.
To mark the month of the heart, many nahkauf retailers once again collected donations in favour of "Ein Herz für Kinder" this year. Together with neighbouring schools, kindergartens, associations and local politicians, the store teams organised great campaigns, the proceeds of which benefited children in need. A nationwide painting competition was also part of the programme. In the end, nahkauf was able to transfer the impressive sum of 600,000 euros to the account of "Bild hilft e.V." - the second largest single donation of the evening.
"It's impressive how much power nahkauf has, how committed you, the retailers and your teams, are to the cause - especially when it comes to supporting a good cause. A new donation record has been set again in the month of the heart - that's thanks to you!" said national nahkauf sales manager Mathis Neth, praising the commitment of the retailers.
As a reward, the most diligent fundraisers took part in the live charity gala and the subsequent after-show party, where they got up close and personal with the numerous celebrities from politics, TV, film and social media. The stars had previously accepted donations from the audience during the three-hour show. In the end, the proud sum of over 21 million euros was raised for children in need. The tried-and-tested mixture of live music, moving children's stories and a large line-up of stars and political celebrities, including Olaf Scholz, was once again very well received by the audience. The Federal Chancellor held the laudatory speech for the new recipient of the "Golden Heart", the highest honour awarded by "Bild hilft e.V.".
For more than ten years, the nahkauf team has been working with its customers to raise money for children in need. Over the years, more than 4.7 million euros have been raised in this way.
We asked the retailers how they experienced the gala weekend and why they are getting involved with "Ein Herz für Kinder" right now.
Kerstin Breidenbach, Birken-Honigsessen: "Thank you very much for the successful all-round feel-good package in Berlin! Being able to experience the stars and starlets up close was very interesting. We support 'Ein Herz für Kinder' because it's a worthwhile cause and the donations go where they should. We sold homemade jam and handicrafts and baked waffles for a good cause. An Advent raffle is also planned for next year."
Paolo Pannella, Mainz-Kastel: "Our highlight was the gala. We were proud to represent the major donation on behalf of many retailers and, of course, all of our customers. The entire supporting programme was very nice, and the exchange with other retailers from the other regions was very good. We all need to do something - especially for the little ones - in our society. It is impressive how many projects have been supported over the years. If everyone makes their contribution (regardless of the amount), many small contributions can become something huge and many projects can be realised. This year, we were able to generate a lot via the "do good button" and raised money with a few small campaigns, such as a waffle sale. We are planning a summer party for next year."
Tanja Friesen, Trabelsdorf: "The Berlin weekend was again very nice and impressive! A great programme! The crowning finale and highlight was of course the gala. We organised a colourful children's party for the month of the heart with our nahkauf bouncy castle and lots of treats for our customers young and old. We were particularly pleased about the visit of the children's reporter. The project has already become a matter close to our customers' hearts. Next year, nahkauf Friesen will be ten years old, and there are already great projects in the pipeline."
Michael Drewel, Tecklenburg: "We were able to take home a wealth of impressions from this weekend full of celebrities. The fact that 'Ein Herz für Kinder' honoured the nahkauf retailers with an invitation to this special day gives us a lot of motivation for the coming year. For over ten years, it has been a matter close to our hearts to improve the terrible fates of children with our commitment. This year, we invited the internationally renowned children's choir 'Mollmäuse' from Tecklenburg to join us. Our suppliers gave us lots of great donations for a wheel of fortune. This enabled us to generate a donation total of 1,000 euros in just four hours. We are already working on a plan for next year's campaign. But we won't reveal any more yet."
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Margot Friedländer, presenter Johannes B. Kerner I Photo: Achim Bachhausen
This year, Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer (102) was honoured with the "Golden Heart" by "Bild hilft e.V.". Born Anni Margot Bendheim in Berlin in 1921, she had a carefree childhood until Hitler came to power. After the Nazis seized power, her family was sent to a concentration camp, where they were murdered. margot was also caught in 1944. She survived - and immigrated to the USA. in 2010 - at the age of 89 - she returned to her old home in Berlin. Since then, she has been fighting against oblivion as a contemporary witness and gives talks in schools. "I am grateful that I can do this for those who didn't make it," says the impressive woman.
