Humanity wins: the "Readers help help" campaign brings in 158,520 euros
Created: 02/12/2022, 17:00
By: Andreas Steppan
Hand in hand for more solidarity in society: The readers of Tölzer Kurier and Isar-Loisachbote/Geretsrieder Merkur have shown solidarity with their great willingness to donate.
© DPA
The readers of Tölzer Kurier and Isar-Loisachbote/Geretsrieder Merkur have once again demonstrated solidarity and humanity in the past few weeks.
The fundraiser “Leser helfen helfen” raised an impressive amount of EUR 158,520.62.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – This money goes without deductions to people from the district who are in need through no fault of their own.
For this, the editors say from the heart Vergelt's Gott!
But the readers showed their sympathy not only in the form of euros and cents.
This is shown by the example of Eberhard K. (name changed) from Walchensee.
The fate of the 60-year-old has particularly touched many readers.
The former chef has been struggling with serious health problems since 2016: diabetes, nerve damage in the feet, joint problems.
Recently, a Parkinson's diagnosis was added.
Eberhard K. slipped into Hartz IV.
He now lives on a small disability pension.
Despite the adverse circumstances, the 60-year-old is fighting for his health.
But the distances to doctors and pharmacies are long from Walchensee, and taking the bus is expensive and time-consuming.
Then an apartment eviction threw him off balance.
K. feared becoming homeless.
Big gratitude
Much has changed for the better in Eberhard K's life today.
In his own words, the 60-year-old is “overwhelmed” by the response to the publication in our newspaper.
"It's been a long time since I laughed - now I can," he says.
Feeling that many people care gave him the courage to face life.
The support of the readers manifested itself in many ways.
For example, Eberhard K. wanted an electric typewriter.
All of his letters – and there were a lot of them while looking for an apartment – he had written by hand.
Because of his illness, it became increasingly difficult for him.
Spontaneous willingness to help
More than a dozen readers offered to donate electric typewriters that were unused in their homes.
One found her way to K through mediation by the editors. "It's a huge relief," says the 60-year-old.
The device works "perfectly" and he uses it avidly.
What also made Eberhard K. very happy: A reader sent him two credit cards for his mobile phone.
Another offered to drive K. to errands if necessary.
Found a new apartment in Wolfratshausen
But the most important thing for him is that he received an offer of housing.
His future landlord had also read about K's fate.
"If you're doing well yourself, it's the smallest thing that you give something back," says the man from the district, who does not want to be named.
Above all, he is pleased that K. received so much help in other ways.
“I thought that most people were only interested in their own benefit and not willing to give anything.
Nice that it can also be different.”
At the beginning of March, Eberhard K. moves into a small apartment in Wolfratshausen.
"It's wonderful," he says.
Shops, a doctor and public transport can be reached on foot from there.
"And the apartment even has a balcony," he enthuses.
Victim says thank you
Eberhard K. feels relieved of a great burden.
"The rental agreement was the decisive factor in the fact that things are looking up for me," he says.
The previous landlords had recently shown concessions.
Instead, K. has been busy preparing to move for a few weeks now – bit by bit, as his strength allows.
Now the former cook just wants to say thank you: the future landlord, the employees of the Caritas homeless help who looks after him, the district office and everyone who helped him and felt with him.
The excitement of the past few weeks has affected his health.
But as soon as he settles down in his new place of residence, he is sure that things will settle down again.
Because Eberhard K. now knows: He is not alone.
More current news from the region around Bad Tölz can be found here.