Local services
For the third time, on the last day of November 2024, in one of the most magical times of the year, the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden hosted the charitable Donation Zoo Day.
Under the patronage of Deputy Mayor Diána Széles and organised by the Debrecen Charity Board, all interested parties could visit Zoo Debrecen with a 300 HUF registration ticket or by purchasing a sponsorship ticket, which on this day asked its guests to bring material donations (durable food, hygiene products, sweets, children’s books), which the Debrecen Charity Board will distribute to the needy.
At the morning press conference related to the event, Gergely Sándor Nagy, the managing director of Zoo Debrecen, expressed his joy in his welcoming speech that this day, so dear to his heart, is becoming a tradition that grows spiritually every year. The institution welcomes more than half a million visitors a year, and together with the Sziget-kék thematic playground, they would like to set an excellent example in raising awareness about nature and the environment and serving and helping the community. This year, he highlighted the event called “Dream Night” at the Zoo, within the framework of which families affected by autism were welcomed this summer and the introduction of a discount for single-parent families. They also prepared for the first weekend of Advent in such a way that not only the gates of the institution but also the hearts and souls of the staff were open to offer new experiences and surprises to those who return regularly and those who may be visiting for the first time. As the managing director mentioned, although they are also present in the city centre, on Dósa nádor Square during Advent, Advent will also appear in the area of the Cultural Park, for example, with a spiritual warming point, and preparations are already well underway for the Christmas of the Animals event. Sándor Gergely Nagy thanked the Debrecen Charity Board and the Greek Catholic Church for the joint preparations.
Edit Bódor, President of the Debrecen Charity Board, thanked Debrecen Zoo for providing the opportunity to collect donations, which will be delivered to the people in need by the Board. As part of the fundraising campaign, the “Basket of Love” was also presented here, this time with gifts donated by the staff of the culture park. Every day until Christmas, the basket will be filled with donations from different small communities, symbolising their charitable intentions and desire to help the people in need. She compared this basket to the old village “komatál” tradition (ancient folk custom) when relatives and good acquaintances used to present each other with gifts on special occasions. The president of the Debrecen Charity Board thanked all the visitors who had already arrived at the Zoo at the time of the press conference and brought their donations to the Donation Zoo Day, and in return, invited them to enjoy some delicacies, which were brought to the table by Dalma Berekméri, an active member of the Debrecen Charity Board. Edit Bódor also presented an angel figurine to the staff of Debrecen Zoo on the occasion of Advent and in memory of the current cooperation.
Representing the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, Greek Catholic Father Márk Szaplonczay addressed attendees, quoting the Apostle Saint Paul. He said one element of perfection is help. Small things can go into the “Basket of Love”, but all donations help a lot.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
