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Package Drive Christmas Joy 2002 Christmas without presents---for children in Western Europe and North America this is unthinkable. Yet for children in Transcarpathia, western Ukraine it is absolutely the exception to be surprised by parents and grandparents with things they have wished for with intense longing. Many people in various places cannot ignore this. For several years they have made it possible for many of these children to get a Christmas surprise. Last year alone about 2000 packages were sent, a truly wonderful thing. It would be great if you would support us in this activity again, or for the first time, so that none of these children goes empty-handed, and so we might even add more villages to the list. Meantime many children are already looking forward with longing and anticipation to a surprise from far-away countries--for most of them it will be the only present they receive. In that way, the value of the gift goes far beyond its monetary worth. It brings joy as well as the feeling that someone has not been forgotten, that people in distant countries think about others. It will give the children and their whole families new hope in the midst of their everyday life marked with poverty and disillusionment. Over 90% of the people in the area of Transcarpathia are unemployed. There is no social safety net. While the average monthly pension in Ukraine is about $15, in neighboring countries such as Romania it is $45, and in Hungary $124. The case is similar with average wages. The buying power of a Ukrainian family, according to recent statistics, is 11 percent of the average family in Germany. And so we ask sincerely for your support in the package drive called "Christmas Joy"! The wonderful thing about this drive is the fact that anyone, old or young, big or small, can take part. Children can learn to share and make other children happy, parents, grandparents, families, school classes, Christian groups and communities, organizations and others--everyone can help. We are collecting donations and taking the money to Ukraine. Our volunteers there in the parishes of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia buy the gifts there, package them and distribute them to the children. Your contribution's greatest importance however is in how it makes children's eyes glow and fills little hearts with joy! Tell your relatives and acquaintances about our Christmas package drive, let your co-workers, neighbors and friends know about it--and naturally send in your own contribution. Any amount will help! Christmas is a wonderful possibility to do good for others. This applies especially to children as well. Will the children of Transcarpathia, at our doorstep, have something to look forward to? Please send donations to our account at the Bank "Sparkasse Vogtland" Account no. 381 20 10 908 Routing code: 870 580 00 Key word: Christmas Joy Greetings to you from us, also in the name of our partners in Transcarpathia - for a version of this article with pictures click here (in german) -
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Package Drive Christmas Joy 2002

Christmas without presents---for children in Western Europe and North America this is unthinkable. Yet for children in Transcarpathia, western Ukraine it is absolutely the exception to be surprised by parents and grandparents with things they have wished for with intense longing.

Many people in various places cannot ignore this. For several years they have made it possible for many of these children to get a Christmas surprise. Last year alone about 2000 packages were sent, a truly wonderful thing.

It would be great if you would support us in this activity again, or for the first time, so that none of these children goes empty-handed, and so we might even add more villages to the list. Meantime many children are already looking forward with longing and anticipation to a surprise from far-away countries--for most of them it will be the only present they receive. In that way, the value of the gift goes far beyond its monetary worth. It brings joy as well as the feeling that someone has not been forgotten, that people in distant countries think about others. It will give the children and their whole families new hope in the midst of their everyday life marked with poverty and disillusionment.

Over 90% of the people in the area of Transcarpathia are unemployed. There is no social safety net. While the average monthly pension in Ukraine is about $15, in neighboring countries such as Romania it is $45, and in Hungary $124. The case is similar with average wages. The buying power of a Ukrainian family, according to recent statistics, is 11 percent of the average family in Germany.

And so we ask sincerely for your support in the package drive called "Christmas Joy"!

The wonderful thing about this drive is the fact that anyone, old or young, big or small, can take part. Children can learn to share and make other children happy, parents, grandparents, families, school classes, Christian groups and communities, organizations and others--everyone can help.

We are collecting donations and taking the money to Ukraine. Our volunteers there in the parishes of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia buy the gifts there, package them and distribute them to the children.

Your contribution's greatest importance however is in how it makes children's eyes glow and fills little hearts with joy!

Tell your relatives and acquaintances about our Christmas package drive, let your co-workers, neighbors and friends know about it--and naturally send in your own contribution. Any amount will help!

Christmas is a wonderful possibility to do good for others. This applies especially to children as well. Will the children of Transcarpathia, at our doorstep, have something to look forward to?

Please send donations to our account at the

Bank "Sparkasse Vogtland"
Account no. 381 20 10 908
Routing code: 870 580 00
Key word: Christmas Joy

Greetings to you from us, also in the name of our partners in Transcarpathia

- for a version of this article with pictures click here 492kb (in german) -

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