Wolfratshausen: It's weighted again
Created: 04.12.2022, 20:00
By: Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss
"It's pure joy for both sides": Sibylle Gruber and her helpers are again organizing the wishing tree campaign.
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Sibylle Gruber is organizing the wish tree campaign for the third time.
The aim: to make a Christmas wish come true for women and men aged 60 and over from Wolfratshausen.
Wolfratshausen – Sibylle Gruber and her hard-working helpers have their hands full before Christmas.
The city's pension and social advisor is organizing the wishing tree campaign for the third time.
The reactions from the previous two years have shown her: "It's pure joy for both sides."
150 wish lists have been received so far
The procedure is easy to explain: until Wednesday, December 14, men and women over the age of 60 can still make a Christmas wish at the city's citizens' office.
Here it is anonymized and hung as a star on the Christmas tree in the foyer.
"Everyone who wants to grant a fellow citizen a wish can choose a star from Monday, December 5th and hand in the wrapped gift to us by December 19th," explains Gruber.
So far, over 150 wish lists, often lovingly painted, have landed on her desk.
Then the elf work begins.
The gifts are assigned to the addressees, and Gruber and her helpers deliver the gifts.
"It's always a goosebump moment to hand over the package," says the town hall employee. "There are often a few tears on both sides."
The needs of seniors are varied.
“It ranges from cuddly toys, blankets and socks to a CD with songs from the 70s to an illustrated book.” Gruber suspects that personal experiences are associated with the latter.
"Or it was the place where you used to live."
Increasing poverty in old age is noticeable
The organizers also feel the poverty in old age, which is increasing due to the current crises.
"We have requests for vouchers for additional payments in the pharmacy or groceries." Gruber remembers a case from last year.
A lady had asked for a grocery voucher.
“This resulted in a kind of sponsorship.
The donor didn't want to limit it to a one-off support and has been giving us vouchers again and again since then."
In general, the Wolfratshauser are very generous.
“When I turn on the computer, I get a lot of questions about how and with what you can help.
It's just wonderful” A family wants to invest all their pocket money.
No request – Gruber attaches great importance to this – comes to nothing.
"We will fulfill all wishes." It doesn't matter whether that means a little more work for the elves or not.
"Everyone should be able to look forward to Christmas and have something to unpack."
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