Local services
As Advent approaches, the Municipality of Debrecen, the Debrecen Charity Board, the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, the Reformed Diocese of Tiszántúli, and the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, as in previous years, offer a helping hand to the people in need in Debrecen.
The Hungarian Reformed Charity Service will collect durable food and toiletries in the Love Boxes, which will be distributed to donating organisations and institutions throughout the city and to families and people in need before Christmas.
The Debrecen Charity Board held a press conference on the fundraising campaign with the participation of Mayor of Debrecen László Papp, Bishop of the Reformed Church District of Tiszántúli Károly Fekete, Vicar General of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Zoltán Krakomperger, Pastoral Vicar of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog János Terdik, Deputy Mayor and Co-President of the Debrecen Charity Board Diána Széles and President of the Debrecen Charity Board Edit Bódor on the 19th of November, 2024 at Karakter 1517 bookstore.
As László Papp said, it is the best time of the year. In spirit, we are already preparing for Advent, the period of anticipation that will prepare us for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Of course, this time of year is not only about waiting but also about togetherness. It is also one of the most beautiful times of the year because it is a time when we feel an inner urge to listen more and to focus more on each other, on our loved ones, on our family members, and on all those who need help and support, the mayor pointed out.
He added that Debrecen has seen an exemplary collaboration for the fifth year of running. Every year, representatives of the churches operating in Debrecen meet with the leaders of the charity body and representatives of the member organisations to show that Debrecen can set an example of spirituality, love and cooperation and can stand by the side of families and people who need support and help. The action will be launched under the auspices of the Churches and the Charity Board, where participants will collect and deliver durable food and donations in the form of parcels to people in need.
This year, the fundraising period runs from 19 November to 15 December. In recent years, the campaign has delivered more than 8,000 parcels a year to families in need, giving them a big helping hand in their Christmas preparations. László Papp is confident that the coalition’s strength will be felt in the city again this year and that those who need help and support can be counted on. Every long-life food item in the donation basket is essential, but perhaps most important is the human attitude that leads us to give to those in need. With this in mind, the mayor asked the people of Debrecen, if they have the opportunity, to seek out the member organisations of the Debrecen Charity Board and the activists of the Hungarian Reformed Charity Service and help families in need at this very special and very beautiful time of the year.
According to Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Reformed Church District of Tiszántúl, Debrecen can set an example if the people of Debrecen, those belonging to churches and organisations, have an example, a model to which they can follow.
“For years, the “Together for Debrecen” aid campaign has been fulfilling its purpose. Let it open the hearts of all those who have realised that there is no point in preparing for Christmas thinking only of myself. Everyone can do good, and a little is enough to do good, and this little must be done with spirit,” Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, said.
János Terdik, Pastoral Vicar of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, pointed out that Greek Catholics are in an extraordinary situation because they started preparing for Christmas on 15 November, lighting six candles. The Father said, “If we give something of ourselves, we become something more. Even if sometimes it seems like a small thing.” Quoting Mother Teresa, he said,” What we do is just a drop in the ocean, but without the drop, the ocean would be shallower.”
According to Diána Széles, co-chair of the Debrecen Charity Board, the charity board has volunteers and member organisations who share their hearts, and the Advent and Christmas period is when they can involve others in this. She thanked the board for the support and the collaboration. Ten years ago, when they started this joint fundraising, they had to explain what the organization was trying to achieve. They had to explain that these donations were going to the right place. After a decade of activity, it no longer needs explaining. This fundraising is not simply about caring about Christmas donations but about the fact that coalition members can listen to those in need and struggling. Diána Széles said, “During the fundraising period, the Debrecen Charity Board asks the city’s citizens to help and look out for those in need. Now, the board would also like to give something in return to the donors. O the day of the first Advent candle-lighting, the board members will host a charity reception to thank them for their support and attention in the past years”.
Edit Bódor, President of the Debrecen Charity Board, is participating in the charity fundraising campaign for the first time. As she said,” The organization is a bridge between donors, those who want to do something and those who are donated to, and it is a robust and stable bridge that is constantly being built and built on; it is open in both directions, it is easy to cross. The Love Boxes are sent to various institutions, companies, schools, foundations, and NGOs; each can be filled with donations. The preparation will be served by the Reformed parish of Debrecen Great Church, thanks to the fact that the Memorial Garden behind the church will be transformed into an Advent “soul garden”. It will be possible to take walks and visit different stations, individually and with the help of spiritual guides. They will also open the chapel that once belonged to St. Andrew’s Church, where you can find quiet and contemplation. There will also be programmes in the “soul garden”, a traditional and live nativity scene, with members of Italian and Spanish families with 800 years of tradition. The well-known “Give Away” collection point will also be here. There will be a “prayer tree” in the garden, where visitos can place wishes and thoughts written on cards. Thanks to the support of various sponsors and supporters, the garden will host a charity reception after each Advent candle-lighting”.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
