Debrecen4U November 11, 2025

The chocolate collection campaign has been relaunched in Debrecen to make the holidays more joyful for children in need

The goal is to collect several tons of chocolate. The traditional chocolate collection campaign has been launched in Debrecen, with which the organizers want to make the December holidays of children living in difficult situations more beautiful. The sweets can be dropped off at the Fórum Debrecen Shopping Center on Csapó Street until December 12, 2025.

Each package is a small message that you are not alone—this is the philosophy of the chocolate collection campaign, and this is what the first graders of the Szent József Elementary School also drew attention to today. The students helped their peers in need with about 6 kilos of chocolate in order to make the December holidays more beautiful for them.

NGOs, companies, and the Debrecen Charity Board are also participating in the campaign.

“Children can experience that if they give a chocolate—whether one they received themselves or bought with their pocket money—to another child who may not have as much during the holidays, it can fill their souls with a good feeling that will help them later in their journey to adulthood,” Edit Bódor, Chair of the Debrecen Charity Board, emphasized at the launch event of this year’s campaign on November 10, 2025.

The traditional chocolate collection campaign has been organized in the city for 14 years with the help of the Association of State‑Cared Children of Bihar (BAGE) and its partners. Last year, a ton of sweets was collected, which made the waiting for Santa Claus and Christmas for almost 10,000 children more beautiful. This year, the organizers aim to set a new record.

“We draw attention to the fact that in this country 23,000 children live away from their biological parents. We emphasize that we must open our hearts to these children, highlight every such matter, and help them—because giving brings joy,” Lajos Buzás, President of BAGE, stressed.

Approximately 1,600 children live in state care in Hajdú-Bihar County. According to Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, it is important to help those in need not only during Advent.

“This is an occasion when we can ask them how they are and what we can help them with. I think it is very important that this contact is always regular, because this is how we can generate cooperation with those in state care,” Deputy Mayor Diána Széles pointed out.

The chocolates are expected until December 12, 2025, in the Fórum Debrecen Shopping Center on Csapó Street. The collected sweets will be presented to children in need during a gala event on December 18.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu