Every year at Christmas, the Children Helping Children campaign brings joy into the lives of disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe. Last year, children in Germany collected 25,546 Christmas parcels for their peers in poorer families in Eastern Europe. Most of the parcels were handed over to the children before Christmas.

In 2023, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Germany launched its 24th campaign on World Children’s Day, September 20.

“Every package is a sign of compassion and solidarity. We would like to thank the many volunteers who make the campaign possible in the first place. Even though about 1,000 fewer parcels were collected this year than last year, the sum is a great success,” Michael Weller, campaign director for ADRA Germany, said.

From November 27 to December 7, trucks set off from the nationwide collection points in Germany to the destination countries. There, volunteers unloaded the trucks and loaded smaller vans to distribute the parcels to children in need. Most of the parcels have already reached their destination, making thousands of children very happy, ADRA Germany leaders said.

Since 1999, children, parents, and grandparents all over Germany have been packing Christmas parcels for children of poor families in Eastern Europe. The latest campaign benefited children in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, organizers said. “They were delighted to receive heartfelt presents from Germany,” they said.

ADRA Germany officers explained that the Children Helping Children campaign has allowed children in Germany to learn more about the situation of their peers in other parts of the world. “German children are learning to share and show charity to others,” they said. “Thus, the Children Help Children campaign is part of the development education work of ADRA Germany.”

What Is Happening in 2024

In 2024, the Children Helping Children campaign will enter its 25th year with another toy collection for Eastern Europe. For a quarter of a century, ADRA Germany has been able to collect more than 500,000 parcels with many helpers and bring them to children in need.

ADRA Germany officers invited more people to join this effort. “Be part of it,” they said. “If you would like to support children in Eastern Europe, pack a package. Or donate to the Children Helping Children campaign.”

They explained that many companies, groups, kindergartens, schools, local churches, and individuals support the campaign with donations in kind or money. “With only eight euros [US$8.50], you can cover the contents, labor, and shipping costs for a Christmas parcel,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the ADRA Germany news site.