With Christmas just behind us, it is time to catch up. To start off, a low bow to our colleagues from the Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) , which celebrated its 30th birthday this Christmas. Their work and presence shows that we Poles, acting together, are able to reach out to those most in need anywhere in the world.

For the past 8 years, we have been gaining this confidence ourselves by asking you for very concrete relief for people we have met in person. Thanks to you, we reach 11 countries on 3 continents with our aid. Today we are talking about the help needed by those who are closest to us, although often completely invisible. These, among others, are the ones we have been taking care of this Christmas.

For the poor and those experiencing the crisis of homelessness, Christmas is not a reason to rejoice. It is a very specific challenge of dealing with the cold. The first wave of cold weather is behind us. More are ahead. For us, the cold means more heating expenses; for them, it is often a struggle to survive. During the last couple of freezing days, 14 people died of hypothermia in Poland. Last year, 44.

We are doing everything to ensure that this does not happen to anyone else. A great job in helping Warsaw’s homeless is being done by the Sant’Egidio Community. Their philosophy of helping very much resembles the one we ourselves follow when helping people in different parts of the world. That is why, together with Sant’Egidio, we want to reach out to those who need support the most. We won’t solve all the problems, but we can at least buy time, which will be crucial for someone to solve these problems.

Warm Packages have already reached those attending the Christmas meeting and more have to be sent to flats and vacant buildings where more people in need are freezing. They need warm jackets, boots, blankets and thermoses.

Our Good-Factory madness needs you now very much! And do you know what it needs most of all? Not just for you to donate to our fundraiser for warmth. We also need you to check whether there isn’t someone hiding in your midst who, unbeknownst to you, hasn’t yet set up a standing order for five zloty (the “High Five!” project). And above all – to strongly support us, share and keep your fingers crossed for us! Without you we can do NOTHING. With you – EVERYTHING!

With us, no donations are too small. It doesn’t matter if you can fund the entire Warm Package for PLN 175 or even one shoelace for PLN 5 – you are saving a person’s life. By doing so, you will bring some good back into the world before the end of the year!