The AWCL’s “Gifts for Kids” (G4K) programme delivers presents to youngsters living in Luxembourg children’s shelters and group homes (“foyers”) for St Nicholas Day on Friday 6 December.
Last year, the initiative delivered 730 gifts, Meryl Kearns, president of the American Women’s Club of Luxembourg, said during an AWCL meeting in October. This year, the volunteers aim to deliver more than 800.
Kearns said the group recently received a grant from the Grand Duchesse Charlotte National Relief Organisation (Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte), a foundation that funds charities using National Lottery proceeds. That will help increase the number of children who will receive a present.
But donations are still very much needed.
“Gifts for Kids” ornaments prepared by American Women’s Club of Luxembourg volunteers in 2014. Photo: AWCL
Each year, since 1996, youth home residents write down their gift wishes, which are passed to the AWCL. Meanwhile, the club sets up Christmas trees in workplaces around Luxembourg. An AWCL flyer explained the process from there:
“Each gift wish with its costs is transferred onto a Christmas tree ornament. The ornaments have the G4K bank details on them. Individuals who choose to participate do not buy the actual gifts, but provide the funds and AWCL makes the purchase. The money accumulated in the G4K account is used by AWCL to buy all the gifts from Cactus La Belle Etoile. The gifts are delivered by AWCL to the foyers in time for St Nicholas Day.”
The gifts cost a maximum of €25. To get involved, check if your (or someone you know’s) workplace has a Gifts for Kids tree. You do not have to be an employee of participating organisations to make a donation.