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Charity Drive Christmas Joy 2004The little girl in the picture is named Piroska. She is 11 years old and comes from a poor family in Transcarpathia in western Ukraine. Piroska is handicapped. She was born with legs of two different lengths. Naturally, just like other children her age, she would love to run about, take part in sports and play. But she can only walk with a severe limp. So Piroska is seen only rarely beaming cheerfully as in this photo. It happened last year when our Christmas presents were distributed.Many people from other countries are responding to the poverty in the Transcarpathian region of eastern Europe. For several years they have been sending donations to the charity drive "Christmas Joy", enabling boys and girls to enjoy a little Christmas surprise. Piroska is one of over 2000 children who received a Christmas package last year. A wonderful event! For most of them it is the only Christmas present they get at all. It would be great if you could support us in this drive again this year, or even for the first time, so that none of these children has to go empty-handed and so that we could possibly bring more villages into the program. With each individual package you will give a sign of hope and love in the everyday life of families marked by poverty and discouragement. Over 90% of the people in Transcarpathia are unemployed. A regional newspaper describes the economic situation of last year as more catastrophic than at the time of the political change. Average income is between $25 and $50 a month, pensions are between $10 and $15. Therefore we ask you sincerely to support our charity drive "Christmas Joy"! You too can make children in need a matter of concern to your heart! This program is so easy that anyone can take part: old or young people, big people and little people, grandmas and grandpas and entire families, school groups, churches, businesses and associations. Children and young people can bring joy to other children with a small part of their pocket money. Everyone can help! We will collect donations and take the money to Ukraine. Our partners in the parishes of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia will purchase gifts, pack them and distribute them to the children. You contribution is the most important one, so that many children can smile just like little Piroska!
Talk to your relatives and acquaintances about our Christmas package drive, persuade your neighbors, friends and co-workers to work together with us--and naturally make your own contribution to the success of our common effort. Any amount will help! Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to do good for others. This especially means children. Do your part now! We request your donations to be sent to our account at: Bank: Sparkasse Vogtland. Warm greetings, also in the name of our partners and managers in Transcarpathia from Transcarpathia Benefit Society Inc. P.S. We are delighted that you are willing to help! We support this charity drive - Are you doing your part ? !
Gunther Emmerlich
".....it is often the little everyday things which children and families in the region of Transcarpathia need... Support the charity drive Christmas Joy!" Björn Kircheisen
- for a german version of this article with pictures see
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