It all started last year with a small idea: actively practicing charity. This year, educator Francine Olschewski once again inspired students at the Steinmühle boarding school to participate in two volunteer projects. Just like last year, the students made their own cards during the pre-Christmas season, which were distributed to elderly people living alone in Marburg. A new addition this year was a partnership with the Marburg food bank.
A new pre-Christmas tradition: bringing joy to the elderly
Over 100 hand-designed Christmas cards were created for the Arbeit und Bildung e.V. association in Marburg and distributed to elderly people living alone in Marburg as another Christmas greeting from Steinmühle. Students from the Steinmühle boarding school were present for some of the deliveries. The students went door to door and surprised some elderly people with a brief personal visit.
Some of the older residents even remembered last year’s event: “Oh, how wonderful that you’re back!” said a 93-year-old lady happily. “I told all my remaining friends about your wonderful event last year. I’m all the more delighted that you’ve thought of me again this year. That really touches me!”
Charity evokes emotions and a sense of belonging—both among students and among the elderly
The students were once again deeply moved by the initiative this year. “It’s such a simple thing for us—we just go up to people and wish them a Merry Christmas. And this small gesture makes such a big difference—it really touches me!” says student Verena, visibly moved.
“This is my first time participating,” says student Niclas. “It was incredible how much emotion the elderly people showed. I definitely want to take part in an event like this again—it’s so wonderful to see that we can bring so much joy with just a short visit!” And student Felix once again delighted young and old alike this year with his gifted singing performances right at the front doors of the people they visited.
When an Idea Becomes a Project: Boarding School Students Want to Volunteer Long-Term
The genuine and heartfelt emotion was clearly palpable on both sides: Both the students and the surprised elderly people living alone were very grateful for every single encounter. Angela Schönemann, a staff member at Arbeit und Bildung e.V., was once again deeply moved: “I’m so happy to see young people going out of their way to help older adults and that we can bring the generations a little closer together. I’m incredibly grateful for these young people’s dedication—it means so much, especially to older adults living alone!”
And since the City of Marburg will continue to fund the “Participating with Dignity” project in 2022, the partnership with the students at Steinmühle will continue into the coming year. “We’d actually like to expand our involvement even further,” says educator Francine Olschewski, “but the pandemic keeps getting in the way. Still, we’ll find creative ways to continue these volunteer initiatives in 2022 as well.”
Charity knows no bounds: Additional partnership with the food bank in Marburg
And this creativity was already evident in the expansion of volunteer efforts shortly before Christmas at the Steinmühle boarding school: The students and teachers baked all kinds of cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes, which were sold in the schoolyard on the school grounds for another good cause.
“This year, we entered into another partnership with the food bank in Marburg. We wanted to raise funds by selling our homemade treats so we could put together Christmas food packages for families in need,” says organizer Francine Olschewski. “We raised an incredible total of nearly 650 euros!”
Delicious surprises for 12 families in need
In coordination with the Marburg Food Bank, generous care packages containing dumplings, goulash, red cabbage, other staple foods, and Christmas surprises were put together for a total of 12 families in need; these were then personally distributed to the families by the Marburg Food Bank shortly before Christmas. “We never could have imagined being able to do so much good for so many families with a single campaign,” says educator Francine Olschewski happily.
Ms. Vaupel, the president of the Marburg Food Bank, was also thrilled by the initiative organized by the Steinmühle Boarding School: “This is a wonderful initiative and a pre-Christmas surprise for these families in need. I’m thrilled by the students’ dedication!”
We’re heading toward 2022 with enthusiasm
And so the calendar year is drawing to a close. “I’m already looking forward to next year!” says student Viviana. “No matter what COVID-19 does, we’ll be volunteering again!”
And with this spirit of love and care for one another, Steinmühle Boarding School bids farewell to this calendar year. May you all enter the new year safe, sound, and healthy. We look forward to seeing all Steinmühle students again soon and are eagerly anticipating the upcoming events.
