The idea is simple, the effect is great: since 1992, employees, civil servants and pensioners of the City of Aachen have been able to donate the cents behind the decimal point of their salary to charitable projects every month as part of the "Restcentspende". Last year, a total of 12,540 euros was collected from 2,239 employees and pensioners: a new record.

Peter Mertens, Deputy Head of Human Resources and Organization, symbolically presented this sum to three charitable organizations on Wednesday, 10 December and emphasized: "The spare cents donation is a simple idea that works because many people participate. I particularly like the fact that the employees donate and also decide where the money goes." He expressed his heartfelt thanks, as did Karlheinz Welters, Chairman of the General Staff Council, and Stephan Baurmann, Chairman of the General Administration Staff Council, to the city employees who donate the cents every year.

Every year, the Staff Council discusses which institutions will benefit from the donations. Once again this year, several criteria were applied when selecting the institutions to be supported, such as regionality, low cost structures and support for children and young people. Suggestions as to whom the donations should be given to also come from the municipal workforce.

This year, the following associations can each look forward to receiving 4,180 euros: Kinderseele Aachen e. V., Bayard e. V. and Klinikclowns Aachen e. V.. The organization Kinderseele Aachen supports mentally ill children and young people through supplementary, health-promoting measures and creative therapies, among other things. Bayard is a support association for riding therapy and the Klinikclowns Aachen association finances the clinic clowns' work on the children's ward at Aachen University Hospital.

The representatives of the organizations thanked everyone who made this donation possible.