115 000 EUR raised!
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity is the biggest and the most successful event of its kind in Poland. The charity was established 24 years ago by charismatic Jurek Owsiak (who, by the way, was born in Gdansk).
“Every year, the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation selects a detailed aim, or theme of its fundraiser” — we read on its website. This year’s theme was buying equipment for pediatric wards and for medical care for seniors.
24th Grand Finale took place on Sunday, January 10th. And the results were extraordinary. Over 10M EUR was raised in all Poland and 115K EUR in Gdansk. And still counting! We are writing these words at 10 A.M. on Monday, but we are sure that the numbers will grow.
The red heart stickers could be seen everywhere in Gdansk — on trams, buses, coats and hats. Although it was quite cold (below 0 C.), a lot of people gathered at Coal Market (Targ Węglowy).
More than 1000 volunteers were fundraising on streets. Among them, the mayor of Gdansk Paweł Adamowicz, who raised approx. 500 EUR.
We have no doubt that the Great Orchestra is one of the greatest examples of a civil society success in Poland.
