The initiative makes it easier for children from low-income families to start school
The Kiwanis Club Darmstadt once again carried out its schoolbag campaign this year, supporting 200 soon-to-be schoolchildren from low-income families. Together with the City of Darmstadt, the filled schoolbags were distributed to children from municipal daycare centers whose families receive social benefits.
The handover took place in the gymnasium of the Luise-Büchner-School. There, the children were first treated to a colorful program featuring Clown Flo, who entertained them with an interactive musical show. Afterwards, the future first-graders received their new school bags.
The school bags, featuring a Mickey Mouse design, were uniformly styled and included not only the bag itself but also a gym bag and a fully equipped pencil case with pens and pencils. The aim of the initiative is to give all children the best possible start to their school years, regardless of their families' financial means.
“With this campaign, we want to improve children’s starting opportunities in school,” emphasizes Thilo Albrecht, President of the Kiwanis Club Darmstadt. Especially for low-income families, the costs of school bags, school supplies, and sports clothing often represent a significant burden.
The schoolbag campaign is financed through donations and fundraising events. This year, the project was supported by, among others, the "Herzenslilien" (Heart Lilies) campaign, a collaboration between the Klöber company and SV Darmstadt 98. A large sum was raised during a collection at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. PEAK, with Ines Dohmann as patron, also supported the campaign. Volksbank Darmstadt-Mainz also made a significant contribution.
Darmstadt's mayor, Barbara Akdeniz, also praised the importance of the initiative and wished the children a successful start to the school year. The Kiwanis Club's schoolbag campaign, launched in 2009, has been considered an example of active social commitment and sends an important message about educational equity in Darmstadt.
(RED/KIWANIS)
Featured image: Susanne Wolke Matern, Pascal Reinheimer, Marianne Weiss and Susanne Porges from Kiwanis are delighted with the schoolbag donation for the children from Darmstadt. Photo: KIWANIS
