Christmas Joy 2009 Parcel Drive

Give warmth and love in the heart of Europe

In Transcarpathia, in western Ukraine, the center of Europe is located. Yet life here is anything but pulsating. Poverty and a loss of perspectivity mark the everyday life of most people in this region.

Between 80 & 90% of the inhabitants of Transcarpathia are unemployed. The average monthly income is about $100, a pension is about $70. In by far most families, gifts are the absolute exception.

For over ten years many people in Germany and elsewhere have been sending Christmas Joy to boys and girls in Transcarpathia. As of today, that comes to almost 30,000 happy children, about 4,000 last year alone.

A wonderful outcome—thanks to your help!

It is a moving experience when boys and girls, big kids and little ones, hold in their hands their own personal Christmas gift and embrace your heart together. Speechlessness and loud cries of joy, wide eyes and silent tears of delight are also signs of their gratitude that a person in a faraway country thinks of them wifth so much heart and love.

So this year again we ask with all sincerity for your support for our "Christmas Joy" parcel drive.

"A little drop of love is worth more than a bag full of gold." Friedrich von Bodelschwingh (Theologian)

Give joy and hope, we'll help you do it!

We collect donations and bring the money to Ukraine. Our partners in the Reformed Church parishes of Transcarpathia will purchase gifts, lovingly pack them and distribute them to the children.

In order for the eyes of many children to brighten, we need you, your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Tell them of this wonderfully simple opportunity to give an amazing Christmas surprise to children living in the shadows of life.

We are delighted to hear of any idea by which school classes, kindergartens, businesses, communities or athletic clubs participate.

Every single parcel makes the eyes of a child sparkle.

Take part and tell others!

Our 5 advantages:

• The purchase of gifts on site saves lots of money on costly transportation; money that then goes to the children's benefit.
• Lots of gifts are significantly cheaper there. Thus more gifts for the same money.
• There is no need to be concerned with import and duty fees on the parcel contents.
• Purchasing in Ukraine supports local retailers and contributes to their livelihood.
• Our partners know best what will delight the children. They gladly take part in the Christmas drive and handle all necessary tasks at site. Thus they are proactive in this activity, not simply as someone on the receiving end.

We request your donation to be wired to our account at Sparkasse Vogtland.

Account no.: 381 20 10 908
Routing code: 870 580 00
Key word: CHRISTMAS JOY

Or simply give online:

We support this drive -- how about you?!

Gunther Emmerlich singer and entertainer

"Every year we complain that Christmas loses some of its meaning with superficial activity, and that material things crowd out the content of the message. We make this ritual year after year, creating the impression that others make this mistake, but not us. Let's put an end to this self-deception and be helpful in the sense of the Good News. Assisting someone in need is the way to do it. Help the Transcarpathia Benefit Society, so it can help in this region, so that children can have some semblance of a happy holiday. Thank you."

Björn Kircheisen Multiple medal winner in Olympic Games and world championships in Nordic combination skiing.

"Daily we hear news about how billions are spent on stimulus programs. But who thinks about regions poor in infrastructure on the fringe of Europe? Even children in these areas should have chance for a future. So I support the Christmas parcel drive for children in Transcarpathia of western Ukraine."