Geretsried: AWO honors members - Halba has been committed for 50 years
Created: 06/17/2022, 12:30 p.m
By: Peter Herrmann
The deputy AWO district chairwoman Luise Gams (right) honored the long-standing local chairwoman Erika Halba (centre) and Ingrid Antoch (10 years of membership).
© Herrmann
Geretsried – The most recent annual general meeting of the local association of Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Geretsried was all about honors.
The fact that some of the award-winning members could not appear in person did not detract from the convivial atmosphere in the Schützenheim on Jahnstraße.
"I haven't been as excited as I am today for a long time," admitted Erika Halba.
At the annual meeting, the local chairman looked back with some wistfulness on the past few years.
With her deputy, Anni Osterer, she still runs collections for charitable purposes.
During the Corona contact restrictions, however, this was a challenge that should not be underestimated.
The rush on the children's clothing market is no longer as great as it was in the 1990s.
"Today, many young mothers often shop online," Halba suspected.
The proceeds from the clothing markets go to the needy, the AWO kindergarten and the Geretsrieder-Wolfratshauser Tafel.
Of course there were exceptions.
Afghan refugee families were once allowed to buy used baby and children's clothing and other donated items.
bouquet and certificate
Congratulatory visits to AWO members who celebrate milestone birthdays now end at the front door or the mailbox.
"A lot broke due to Corona: We used to be invited in for a glass of sparkling wine or coffee and cake," regretted Halba.
She still had reason to celebrate in the Schützenheim with around 40 members present.
The deputy AWO district chairwoman Luise Gams made the journey from Lenggries to present Erika Halba with a bouquet of flowers and a certificate for 50 years of membership.
It was thanks to the persuasive skills of the then mayor's wife, Hansi Schneider, that Halba joined the local workers' welfare organization in 1972.
The fact that the now 81-year-old widow, 50 years later, is still a member of the board is something she would never have guessed.
"She really puts her heart into it and has always stood up for the weak," said Gams.
Annemarie and Franz Ruhland (each 40 years old) as well as Gisela Lucht, Ingrid Antoch and Johann Hirsch (each 10 years old) received further honors.
Erika Halba now only wishes that a successor will soon be found for her position on the board.
