"Open Your Hearts!" - Caritas Hungary Invites All to Participate in its Advent Fundraising Campaign
On 24 November 2024, Caritas Hungary once again opened its annual Advent fundraising campaign, the "Open Your Hearts!" program. The opening event, held at St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, featured distinguished guests such as Gábor Écsy, Attila Dolhai, and Dávid Losonczi, who shared their thoughts and encouraged all to help others with their generous donations.
In his opening speech, Gábor Écsy, national director of Caritas Hungary stressed the program’s dual purpose: bringing the spirit of Christmas to those in need, and encouraging charitable giving. Highlighting the challenges faced by the most vulnerable, Father Écsy emphasized that Caritas Hungary organizes a variety of charitable initiatives across the country during the winter. In his speech, Father Écsy remarked:
“It is essential to direct our attention to our neighbors and those living alone, offering tangible assistance. Giving is most meaningful when done with open eyes and open hearts.”
In addition to its year-round non-perishable food collections, Caritas Hungray organizes numerous other events and campaigns during the Christmas season, for instance, the "One Million Stars for the Poor" solidarity event, where candles are distributed in exchange for donations. Another key initiative is the "Angel-Bundle Campaign", where the organization encourages people to create personalized gift boxes for disadvantaged children, which can be dropped off at nationwide collection points until mid-December. Beside these initiatives, a grand Christmas concert will also be held at St. Stephen's Basilica, the proceeds of which will go towards helping children in need.
At the campaign's opening ceremony, award-winning actor and musician Attila Dolhai, headliner of the December 11 Christmas concert, also shared some thoughts:
"As a parent, it has always been important for me to teach my children the joy of giving. It is heartbreaking that some cannot even afford the simplest gifts. I believe that if we unite—just as we have with Erika Miklósa, Levente Molnár, Dániel Vadász, the Pannonia Sacra Children's Choir, and the Kamara Akusztik Symphony Orchestra—we can create a memorable Christmas for many .” All performers and contributors will donate the concert’s full proceeds to Caritas Hungary’s aid campaign.
Dávid Losonczi, world champion and Olympic 5th-place wrestler, encouraged everyone to participate in the Angel-Bundle Campaign:
"As a child, I eagerly awaited Christmas, and I want every child to feel the excitement and joy of unwrapping gifts. Anything we donate—toys, clothing, non-perishable food, or small items from home—can mean the world to someone."
The opening and closing song of the event was the official Angel-Bundle song, performed by Attila Dolhai.
Caritas Hungary’s Advent fundraising campaign is now officially underway. Online donations of any amount can support Caritas Hungary's Advent- and year-round activities - donations can be made at www.karitasz.hu/segitene/onlineadomany.
We kindly ask you to join Caritas’s Advent collaboration within your means, encourage others, and spread the word to help more families in need than ever before!
Image: Tibor Vermes
Katolikus Karitász - Caritas Hungarica
