The Christmas Aid fundraising campaign, organized annually since 1998 by the Civic Engagement Department of the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration in cooperation with the Weser-Kurier newspaper, is entering its 29th season this autumn. Families with limited financial resources can apply until October 31st.
For this year's Christmas aid program, applicants will again be required to provide a description of their personal situation and a recommendation, in addition to their personal details. "We cooperate with daycare centers, elementary schools, family centers, parenting advice centers, mothers' centers, and neighborhood coordinators. Each year, we contact approximately 500 institutions and organizations and request their support," explains Mehmet Büyükgöncü from Department 21 (Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth, and Integration).
“The colleagues working there approach families in need whom they know, help with the application process, and also write brief statements on the applications. This not only ensures that the families who truly need the donations receive them and that the applications are fully completed, but also that the contact between the families and the staff of the facility is intensified,” said Büyükgöncü.
Personal impressions of families count
Bremen institutions, daycare centers, and family centers will receive application forms for this year's donation campaign by mail. The accompanying information sheet provides staff and professionals with further details about the Christmas aid program, as well as answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) in German, Arabic, English, and Ukrainian.
“This year, it is particularly important to us to gain as personal an impression of the families as possible. Therefore, please encourage applicants to write their own descriptions of their situations whenever possible,” explains Mehmet Büyükgöncü. If their German language skills are not yet sufficient, they can, of course, write in simplified language. A self-drawn picture or a short personal text can also be included. However, professionals should not write the personal descriptions for the applicants. The focus is not on linguistic quality, but rather on enabling the jury to understand the personal situation as directly as possible.
Proof of income is required
To ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose, receipts must be submitted by the end of February each year by families who have received support. If these receipts are not submitted, the applicant will generally be excluded from future rounds of assistance.
The applications are reviewed and checked, and applicants receive a letter from the WESER-KURIER informing them of the amount of their donation and its intended use. To keep personnel costs to a minimum, incomplete applications will not be processed, no interim updates will be provided, and no rejections will be sent.
Confirmations of support will be sent by mail. Since experience shows that many donations are received around Christmas, the allocation process may extend until the end of February 2027.
How can I donate?
Donations are received through fundraising events (including benefit concerts, Werder Bremen, and the confectioners' guild) and through donations from companies and individuals. A committee consisting of representatives from the WESER KURIER newspaper and the Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth, and Integration decides how the funds are allocated. Donations can be made year-round to the following account: IBAN: DE22 2905 0101 0001 1650 00 at Sparkasse Bremen.
Last season, thanks to donations totaling approximately €375,000, a total of 841 families received support. Each family received an average of about €375. In addition, nearly 1,000 children in transitional care facilities were also supported. These facilities submitted group applications for their support. In total, the agency received 3,032 applications last season.
Source: Christmas Aid Donation Campaign – The Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, 20.10.2026
