The Christmas parcel convoy has been travelling from Germany to Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine for more than 20 years. The fundraising campaign by charitable organisations helps to bring a little Christmas joy to children in these countries. Colleagues at the L.I.T. site in Brake have also been busy collecting, packing and delivering. A total of 50 parcels were collected.

Every year during Advent, the Christmas parcel convoy is on its way to rural regions in Eastern Europe. Since 2001, these transports have been bringing small gifts to boys and girls in Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova who would otherwise have nothing to unwrap at Christmas. We have been taking part in the campaign at our site in Brake for years. “It’s great to see that our colleagues here in Brake are committed to this and that we have collected so many parcels,” says Sabine Senft, who coordinated the campaign for L.I.T. A total of 50 parcels were collected for children and young people aged three to 15.

Many voluntary helpers

Colleagues were able to choose the contents themselves – whether everyday items such as a brush or clothing such as a scarf or socks for the cold season. School materials or toys can also be given as gifts. The organisers stipulate that the goods should be new or as good as new, durable and suitable for children.

The gifts are transported from collection centres across Germany to the central warehouse in Mülheim-Kärlich near Koblenz. There they are sorted according to the respective destination country. “It’s impressive that so many volunteers are taking part in the campaign. It’s a really great cause and benefits children in need in hospitals, facilities for the disabled, nurseries and schools,” says Senft.

More than 150,000 gifts are collected

Our two trainees Meryem and Luca, together with Sabine Senft, handed over the parcels to a neighbouring company that was marked as a collection point. After a few days on the road, the lorries from various transport companies arrive in Eastern Europe, where they distribute more than 150,000 gifts. “We hope that our small gesture will put a smile on the children’s faces at Christmas,” says Senft.

You can find more information about the Christmas parcel convoy here: www.weihnachtspaeckchenkonvoi.de