Whether the Martinsried Christmas market has to be canceled again this year due to corona will be decided at the beginning of October.
“We definitely want to do something,” says Karina Kalkühler.
If necessary, two huts on Martinsried Martinsplatz will have to do.
Founded in 1981 as a social initiative, the Martinsried Christmas Market Association pays out tens of thousands of euros to those in need every year.
It is financed by donations and the income from the Christmas market.
Traditionally, hand-knitted, decorative gift ideas or self-baked cookies are sold at stalls for a weekend on the square in front of St. Martin's Church in Martinsried.
An extensive music program rounds off the event, which is one of the highlights of the Würmtaler Advent.
In 2019, the association distributed 59,000 and in 2020 around 64,000 euros
In 2020 everything turned out differently. The corona pandemic made social interaction impossible for months. And last December, the whole of Germany was in lockdown. Under the motto "Martinsrieder Christkindlmarkt - for 40 years - also this year", the association built two huts on the nearby Martinsplatz in order to benefit from the local customers. “That was a great campaign,” says Karina Kalkühler, who is responsible for public relations. “That didn't completely replace the market, but it attracted attention.” And thus also raised donations. "The income was stable," said Karina Kalkühler, even if activities such as a benefit concert in 2020 could not take place due to Corona. As usual, a large part of the donations from companies and private individuals did not flow until Christmas time.
At the annual meeting, which after a pandemic-related failure last year, could now take place again in the Martinsried Bonhoeffer House, social officer and founding member Elfi Kalkühler reported on the use of the funds in the past two years.
In 2019, 59,000 and in 2020 around 64,000 euros were distributed.
There were more people seeking help in the Corona crisis
Her daughter-in-law Karina Kalkühler said there were more people seeking help in the Corona crisis, people who had lost their 450-euro job or additional income or who ended up on short-time work.
On the other hand, some support purposes have been completely eliminated: school trips, for example, or the traditional asparagus meal in the old people's home.
"The concern that the money would not be enough has not come true," says Karina Kalkühler.
At the beginning of October last year, the board of directors informed the members about the failure of the Christmas market.
Karina Kalkühler hopes that it won't happen again.
"We would rather have a completely normal market." But one is dependent on the requirements of the authorities and the pandemic situation.
For a possible control of the 3G evidence, i.e. whether the visitors have been vaccinated, recovered or tested, helpers are needed.
And sealing off the church square, if necessary, is not easy.
Karina Kalkühler: "This year it will be a little bit exciting."
Bernhard Detsch and Bernd Johann remain at the top of the club as a tandem
The new elections at the annual meeting were not so exciting: Bernhard Detsch and Bernd Johann were confirmed in office as 1st and 2nd chairmen. The two have been at the top of the club as a tandem since 2011. Sven Kalkühler, who became provisional treasurer after Markus Dorner's withdrawal last year, has now been formally elected. Elfi Kalkühler remains social officer, Karina Kalkühler responsible for public relations; Tim Dünnwald, Dorle Nass and Evi Stollmann were appointed as cash auditors.
