Lenggries helps: "People were very grateful"

The willingness to donate was enormous: Almost 220,000 euros were raised through the “Lenggries hilft” campaign.

On Saturday, November 6th, the check was handed over to the flood victims in Dernau in the Ahr valley.

Lenggries / Dernau - The consequences of the flood disaster are still omnipresent in the Ahr valley. A lot has already been cleaned up, but the damage to the houses in particular has not been repaired. The Lenggries mayor Stefan Klaffenbacher reports. With a delegation from Brauneckdorf - in addition to Klaffenbacher, 3rd Mayor Günter Haubner and nine of the helpers who had already helped with the clean-up work - he was in Dernau in Rhineland-Palatinate for the past few days. Also included: a check for EUR 219,375.65. The money was collected as part of the “Lenggries helps” campaign. “That was already impressive. The people there were very happy and very happy and grateful, ”reports Klaffenbacher. “It was by far the largest single donation they have received.“As reported, the campaign was a success from the start. The donations came from individuals, companies and through charity concerts.

Five fires lit on hills

The handover on Saturday to Mayor Alfred Sebastian was unspectacular, according to Klaffenbacher.

But the setting was still nice given the circumstances.

“As part of the Martini fire, five fires were lit on hills,” says Klaffenbacher.

"We were in good company on the mountain and then got together in the village." A small tent had been erected there.

The visitors from Lenggries found out on site that the community can need any help.

"At the moment there is only one auxiliary bridge there," says Klaffenbacher.

A total of 70 bridges were washed away.

The mayor took the visitors to his own house.

“He showed us where the water was.

It was 2.10 meters high. ”In Dernau alone, 240,000 tons of house rubble were disposed of.

100 percent of the donated money has arrived in Dernau

"In view of the destruction, our donation is just a drop in the ocean," says Klaffenbacher.

But still: The community of Dernau has set up a donation pot from which 1.5 million euros have already been distributed.

Two volunteer coordinators ask where the need is greatest.

"Then we vote who gets what." In any case, the sum from Lenggries will be distributed to those most in need.

However, this will take some time, as some clarifications are still pending with the insurance companies.

“It's all very difficult,” says Klaffenbacher.

He emphasizes that 100 percent of the donated money really made it to Dernau.

"The helpers from Lenggries paid all their expenses themselves and even donated them themselves."

The friendly ties that have now been established with the town in the Rhineland are to remain.

“We'll keep in touch,” says Klaffenbacher.

A city partnership has been ruled out jointly, "Dernau would have to conclude hundreds by now".

But above all, the good contact between the helpers and the citizens will remain.

Free vacation in Lenggries offered

He also actively advertised on site for another offer of help: Landlords from Lenggries have offered that those affected from the disaster area can vacation in Lenggries for one week free of charge.

“They were very happy, some of them were there in September,” said Klaffenbacher.

“Some will come.

They desperately need variety and relaxation. "

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