Feldkirchen's Dagmar Preiml: A Christmas miracle for children in Eastern Europe!

Feldkirchen's Dagmar Preiml: A Christmas miracle for children in Eastern Europe!

A special event is being organized in the tranquil Feldkirchen region that will make hearts beat faster and put a smile on the faces of children in Eastern Europe. Dagmar Preiml has been the driving force behind the “Christmas in a Shoebox” initiative for 27 years. This campaign ensures that numerous children in Bulgaria, Romania, North Macedonia and Ukraine receive gifts. How did this come about? An acquaintance had sent Dagmar a flyer when she was looking after a group of children and from there the Christmas miracle began.

This year the delivery week for the packages will take place from November 10th to 17th. During this time, the lovingly filled shoeboxes can be dropped off at various collection points in the district. The locations include the municipality of Feldkirchen, the children's group “Ich bin Ich”, as well as Diakonie kindergartens and the town of Bodensdorf, where Doreen Schön drives the organization forward. Dagmar Preiml is already open to the gifts before the official delivery week and is happy to accept them.

The gifts and their meaning

The gifts are aimed at children of different age groups: 2 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years and 10 to 14 years. It is important that the packages are filled with loving and useful things. For older children, school supplies, hygiene products, clothing or homemade gifts are extremely suitable. But toys such as stuffed animals and footballs are also well received. Board games such as Uno are also popular and often provide many happy hours.

Around 1,000 gifts are collected every year, and last year as many as 1,400. This shows how committed the community in the Feldkirchen district is when it comes to bringing joy. The campaign takes on particular significance during Advent, which is celebrated in many cultures, such as in the German-speaking world, where Christmas is traditionally celebrated with an Advent wreath and Advent calendars. For many families, these preparations are an opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the Christ child and experience a sense of community, as can be read on Wikipedia.

An example of charity in action

The “Christmas in a Shoebox” campaign is more than just a donation; it stands as a symbol of community and charity. Preiml and her team show that you can achieve great things with volunteer commitment and a good heart. Thanks to their tireless work and the support of the population, hope and joy can be brought into the hearts of many children. After all, Christmas is the time when we give gifts to each other, not only with material things, but also with love and affection.

The almost universally festive traditions over the Christmas period, such as the gathering on Christmas Eve or the communal feast on Christmas Day, bring people together. This year the festival will once again draw many families in Austria to the churches and to the Christmas markets. The delicacies such as gingerbread or stollen are always a highlight during Advent and invite you to linger and enjoy.

So the contemplative time is approaching, and with it the opportunity for humanity and connection. May Dagmar Preiml's campaign continue to make many children's eyes shine in the coming years!