As Advent approaches, the City of Debrecen, the Debrecen Charity Association, the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese, the Tiszántúli Reformed Church District, and the Hajdúdorog Archdiocese, in a broad-based cooperation as in previous years, would like to lend a helping hand to those in need in Debrecen.
In the “Love Boxes” provided by the Hungarian Reformed Charity Service and placed throughout the city and at partner organizations and institutions, non-perishable food and hygiene products will be collected and distributed to needy families and individuals before Christmas.
A press conference on the charity drive was held by the Debrecen Charity Association on November 19, 2024, at the Karakter 1517 bookstore, attended by Mayor of Debrecen Papp László, Bishop of the Tiszántúli Reformed Church District Fekete Károly, General Vicar of the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese Krakomperger Zoltán, Pastoral Vicar of the Hajdúdorog Archdiocese Terdik János, co-president of the Debrecen Charity Association Széles Diána, and president of the Debrecen Charity Association Bódor Edit.
As Papp László pointed out, we are approaching the most beautiful time of the year. We are already preparing spiritually for Advent and for that time filled with anticipation that prepares us for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. This time of year is not only about waiting, but also about loving togetherness. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year because we feel an inner urge to pay more attention, to focus more on each other, on our loved ones, our family members, and on all those who need help and support. In Debrecen, for five years now, there has been an exemplary cooperation. Representatives of the churches in Debrecen meet every year with the leaders of the charity association and representatives of member organizations to demonstrate that Debrecen can set an example in spirituality, love, and togetherness, and can stand by those families and people who are in need and need support. The campaign is starting in which, under the auspices of the churches and the charity association, non-perishable food and donations will be collected and distributed to participants in the form of packages for those in need. This year, the collection will take place from November 19 to December 15. Thanks to this cooperation, in recent years, more than 8,000 packages have been delivered to needy families each year, providing them with great help in preparing for Christmas. Papp László is confident that the power of cooperation will be demonstrated again in the city this year and that they will be able to stand by those who count on help and support. Every single non-perishable food item that goes into the donation basket is very important, but perhaps the most important thing is the human attitude that leads us to give to those who are in need. With this thought in mind, the mayor asked the people of Debrecen, if they have the opportunity, to seek out the member organizations of the Debrecen Charity Association, the activists of the Hungarian Reformed Charity Service, and to help needy families in the upcoming very special and beautiful time of year.
According to Fekete Károly, bishop of the Tiszántúli Reformed Church District, Debrecen can set an example when the people of Debrecen, the members of the churches and organizations, also have an example, a model to follow. The bishop quoted the Gospel of John: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” This “giving” is an example that binds Christians regardless of denomination, because one of the components of the love of Jesus and the Father was active love. “And this active love is the characteristic that we can imitate when we give,” said Fekete Károly, who would like the representatives of the charity association, who will literally hand over the donations and packages, to remember that the love of Jesus was active love. It does not accept, but gives love, and even creates this love. The love of Jesus is also an initiative love. He does not only give to those who turn to him, but he takes steps towards them. This is what those who give will do as well. The love of Jesus is also a situational, unconditional, and bridging love. Whoever gives from a pure heart can reach the heart of another person. The packages are signs: signs of love, signs of attention. The bishop also quoted the Apostle Paul: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” No one will be touched by the law if they do not give love, but if they give love, then they fulfill what Christ came for, on the first Christmas. Let us do our work as we saw Jesus do it, and then Debrecen will be an example,” said Fekete Károly.
The “Together for Debrecen” aid campaign has been fulfilling its purpose for years now. Let it open the hearts of all those who have realized that there is no point in preparing for Christmas only thinking about oneself. Everyone can do good, and even a little is enough, and this little bit should be filled with spirit – said Krakomperger Zoltán, general vicar of the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese. He noted that today is the liturgical feast day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the patron saint of charity.
Terdik János, pastoral vicar of the Hajdúdorogi Archdiocese, emphasized that they, as Greek Catholics, are in a special situation, because for them, the preparation for Christmas began on November 15, as they light six candles. The priest said that if we give something of ourselves, we become more by doing so. Even if it sometimes seems like a small thing. Quoting Mother Teresa, he said that what we do is only a drop in the ocean, but without that drop the ocean would be shallower. Széles Diána, co-president of the Debrecen Charity Association, said that the charity association has volunteers and member organizations who share their hearts, and the Advent and Christmas period is when they can involve others in this. She thanked everyone who is here for supporting the association, and said that this cooperation is wide because everyone stands by when called upon. Ten years ago, when they started this joint charity drive, they had to explain what the charity association wanted to achieve, they had to explain that these donations would go to a good cause. After a decade of activity, this no longer needs to be explained. This fundraising is not just about caring, about Christmas donations, but about the fact that the members of the cooperation can pay attention to those in need, those who have difficulties. Széles Diána said: during the fundraising period, the Debrecen Charity Association asks the citizens of the city to help and pay attention to those in need. Now the association would also like to give something back to the donors: on the first day of Advent, a charity dinner will be held for the members of the association, with which they would like to thank them for their support and attention over the past year.
Bódor Edit, president of the Debrecen Charity Association, is participating in the Love Box charity drive for the first time in her position as president. As she said, the association builds a bridge between donors, those who want to do good, and those who receive donations, and this is a strong, stable bridge that they are constantly building and building on – open in both directions, beautiful to cross. Now the Love Boxes will be placed in various institutions, companies, schools, foundations, and civil organizations, and everyone can fill them according to their intentions and possibilities. Donating can only be done when our soul is prepared for it. This preparation will be served by the fact that, thanks to the Debrecen-Nagytemplomi Reformed Church Congregation, the Memorial Garden behind the church will be transformed into an Advent “soul garden”. It will be possible to take walks individually or with the help of spiritual guides, visiting different stations. They will also open the chapel that once belonged to the András church, where people can be quiet and meditate. There will also be programs and performances in the “soul garden”, and there will also be a traditional and live nativity scene – with the participation of members of Italian and Spanish families with 800 years of tradition – and the well-known “Give More” house will also stand here. There will also be a “prayer tree” in the garden, where people can place wishes and thoughts on cards. Thanks to various supporters and helpers, there will be a charity dinner after each Advent candle lighting. On the fourth weekend of Advent, the Bethlehem light will arrive here. Bódor Edit also mentioned that during Advent, they will also fill a “basket of love” for various communities.
Photo: debrecen.hu
