They have been there for young and old for 50 years

Humans need humans: What sounds like a state-of-the-art slogan was a matter of course for the founding members of the Eichenauer Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) half a century ago. Since then, the AWO has been an important pillar for old people - and for very young people. Even in Corona times.

Eichenau - The Eichenau AWO was lucky with their anniversary celebration. It was just about to happen - before the corona virus exit restrictions. Michael Gumtau, chairman of the AWO local association, explained on this occasion: "The need for conviviality was one of the main reasons for the emergence at the time." Of course, in the current situation this sounds like a country before our time. Formation of groups is prohibited. Old people and risk groups are sealed off. But Gumtau warns: "You can replace conviviality with humanity." In the work of the AWO, this has top priority in every day and life situation.

Michael Gumtau, current chairman

The AWO local association stands on two pillars

The Eichenau local association can celebrate its 50th birthday this year. Oskar Wendling was one of the participants from the beginning and also took part in the small anniversary celebration in early March. The first board 50 years ago was formed by Wilhelm Jenssen, Max Lupik, Irmgard and Alfred Tober as well as Irma and Toni Wimmer. At that time, they hardly suspected how current the motto "People need people" that they had chosen would remain over the decades.

Wilhelm Jenssen, founder of AWO

The local association stands on two pillars: it looks after the elderly and children. Gumtau explained that you always have to adjust to current challenges. It was the same with the midday care in 1996. Today it is hardly imaginable that the neighborhood help had stopped this service four years earlier due to a lack of interest. And even in 1996, the lunch table, which was led by Richard Schwarz and was introduced by the then mayor Sebastian Niedermeier, was only attended by a good dozen school children. Renate Niedermeier and Christa Heinzel were employees from the very beginning.

Many councilors were formerly members of the AWO

Today there are several groups from both primary schools. "The children can watch the cooking," says Gumtau. They have great fun. In the meantime, this has also been organized professionally by the AWO district association. In 2021, this field is to be expanded in terms of time and organization.

Sociability was very important to the founders: senior citizens at a carnival party at AWO Eichenau in 2000.

© AWO

Incidentally, Gumtau itself has a good tradition as a former municipal council at AWO Eichenau. Many local councilors were and are members of the AWO local association, currently Martin Eberl and Andreas Zerbes. For the mayor, being part of the AWO has been a good thing since it was founded in 1970. Alfred Rehm, Sebastian Niedermeier, Hubert Jung and Peter Münster were always happy to fulfill this obligation.

The AWO is well positioned

In this way, the AWO could be an active part of the Starzelbach community - and stay on the ball with new ideas. Whether the next club afternoon planned for May 12 with a fitness test for everyday life will take place is currently in the stars. Gumtau said that he was not worried about the future of the AWO on site. "We are well positioned." The number of members is a stable 100.

Food distribution at the AWO lunch table.

© AWO

The social engagement is remarkable. Among other things, the local asylum group has already benefited from this. Four refugees were helped to work through the federal voluntary service. Gumtau is particularly proud of an achievement: "We have freed up funds for this through the AWO Federal Association, as the only one in the district."

More news from Eichenau: The local council must now move to the Friesenhalle because of the Corona crisis.