Gifts that go to the heart: Merkur readers move seniors to tears
Created: 12/24/2022, 07:00
By: Laura May, Max Wochinger
Happy faces: The seniors in Kursana Pullach with the presents from the Merkur readers, together with Ricarda Bäuerlein, Head of Social Care.
© Robert Brouczek
Making needy seniors happy is the aim of the Wishing Tree campaign by the Münchner Merkur.
Readers were once again able to fulfill the heart's desires of older people.
The seniors received their presents just in time for the festival.
District
– A trip to eat a doner kebab, winter boots or a vacuum robot: people’s Christmas wishes are as different as they are.
What unites many of the needy seniors is their poverty.
But they too can celebrate this year.
You, dear readers, made the festival possible for many people in the district of Munich - with your donations for the wish tree campaign.
Merkur Christmas angel: Our volunteer Laura May and editor Max Wochinger loaded their sleigh with the presents and delivered them.
© Robert Brouczek
Tears of joy upon unpacking
Just in time for Christmas Eve, the Münchner Merkur distributed donations of money and goods to the needy.
There is a 94-year-old pensioner from Feldkirchen, her biggest wish was very simple: a new cardigan.
On the verge of tears, she took off her 40+ year old jacket and happily slipped into her new light blue garment.
"It's much warmer," she said happily.
"I don't even take them off in bed anymore."
Enjoy it: Erika Sedlmayer, who lives in the Kursana Domizil Pullach, gets a package full of sweets.
Her favorite food is glucose.
© Robert Brouczek
But Christmas isn't just about money or gifts.
It's also about social participation.
A former taxi driver lives in Pullach, for example, who just wants to visit his old taxi rank again.
An old couple from Pullach would like to go to the zoo.
And a former engineer would like to invite his daughters and wife to dinner again.
Tavern boss doubles voucher
All of these wishes and many more were made possible by the Münchner Merkur together with dedicated readers.
In the case of a visit to the tavern, the recipient has twice the luck: the manager of the Althaching tavern doubled our reader's 100 euro voucher - so nothing stands in the way of a small family celebration.
Coffee enjoyment in the morning is guaranteed by Marianne Hantke from Taufkirch.
Her wish for a pad machine was fulfilled.
© Robert Brouczek
Inflation hits retirees hard
Almost everyone feels inflation hitting.
Seniors are particularly hard hit.
"The number of those affected is increasing rapidly," reports the association Lichtblick Seniorenhilfe.
At the same time, the number of people who want to donate money at Christmas is falling – a dilemma for the needy and for charities.
Nevertheless, Merkur readers have donated again this year, the exact amount will be announced when all transfers have been received and evaluated.
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Chic, chic: Liselotte N. from Unterhaching is happy about a dark blue round-neck sweater.
© Robert Brouczek
Seniors need someone to think of them
In the end, the only thing that matters to retirees is that someone thinks of them.
Some of them have been living alone for many years.
The Christmas gesture means a lot to them.
You, dear readers, have lit a small light in the lives of those who otherwise surround a lot of darkness.
Marianne Friedrich from Taufkirchen asked for a hair dryer so that her hairstyle stays in place during the festive season.
© Robert Brouczek