Commencement of Johanniter Charity Initiative 'Christmas Trucker': Beginning 16 November, donations will also be gathered in Bremen for those less fortunate.
The Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, a German humanitarian organisation associated with the Order of St. John, is set to embark on its annual Johanniter Christmas truck project. This charitable initiative aims to bring festive joy and humanitarian aid to children and families in need, particularly in Ukraine, during the Christmas season.
The project involves a decorated truck travelling from Germany to Ukraine, carrying gifts, toys, and essential supplies. The truck serves as a mobile Christmas event, distributing gifts and sometimes organising celebrations or gatherings for children in orphanages, hospitals, or disadvantaged communities.
This year, economically disadvantaged families, school and kindergarten children, people with disabilities, soup kitchens, and retirement and children's homes will receive Christmas truck packages. Remaining packages will be distributed via food banks in Germany at the beginning of the new year.
The collection will take place until December 13, and the truck is scheduled to set off on December 26, taking packages to a logistics centre in Romania. The truck's journey will be followed by a convoy of volunteer helpers, including drivers from the Johanniter organisation.
In Bremen, donations can be made at the local branch at Julius-Bamberger-Straße 11 and other partner facilities. The packing list for Christmas truck packages includes a gift for children, 1 kg sugar, 3 kg flour, 1 kg rice, 1 kg pasta, 2 litres of cooking oil in plastic bottles, 2 packets of multivitamin effervescent tablets, 2 packets of biscuits, 4 bars of chocolate, 2 bars of solid soap, 2 toothbrushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, and more.
For those who want to donate but lack the time or energy to shop, prepare, and deliver a package, virtual packages are a convenient solution. Virtual packages are financial donations whose proceeds are used to purchase an equivalent content of packages in the recipient countries, prepared by reliable partners.
Project leader Catharina Weißenborn explains that virtual packages offer a good opportunity to support people in Ukraine long-term and beyond the Christmas season. Partner companies will transport the packages from the logistics centre to Ukrainian destinations.
The Johanniter Christmas truck project is more than just a seasonal initiative; it represents solidarity and support from Germany to Ukraine, especially important given the ongoing humanitarian challenges in Ukraine. The focus of the project is on togetherness and making a valuable contribution to those in need.
For more information about the Johanniter Christmas truck project, including collection points, donation and sponsorship opportunities, and details about the current project, visit www.johanniter.de/weihnachtstrucker.
The project also includes home-and-garden items to help improve the living conditions of those in need.
Additionally, shoppers can donate towards lifestyle gifts, such as books, games, or art supplies, to bring joy and inspiration to children during the festive season.
