Craft sets, sports equipment, dolls, books or household items for their first home: the wishes on the imposing fir tree in the foyer of Aachen Town Hall are as varied as the children and young people who live in various child and youth welfare facilities in Aachen. Next to golden stars and deep red baubles hang the green, blue or red slips of paper - the different colors indicate the respective facility in which the children and young people live. Today (Thursday, November 27) marks the 18th time that the beautiful and proven tradition of the Aachen Wish List Tree has been launched.

"371 wishes have been received this year. On the one hand, this is great because we have the opportunity to make many children happy, but on the other hand, the sheer number can make us think. I am grateful to all the people of Aachen who make a wish come true and ensure that Christmas in this city is filled with life," emphasized Lord Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons. All Aachen citizens can now support children with a little Christmas joy by choosing a wish list from the tree.

Wish fulfillment for a good cause
Anyone who takes a wish list from the tree has until Monday, December 15, at 4 pm to return the Christmas-wrapped presents with the corresponding wish list to the town hall. This leaves enough time to get the parcels and packages to the children and young people at the three institutions Zentrum für soziale Arbeit Burtscheid, Evangelische Kinder- und Jugendhilfe Aachen-Brand and Maria im Tann - Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Familienhilfe on time and make the children happy on Christmas Eve.

Children and young people particularly often ask for vouchers. Ziemons is campaigning for these wishes to be fulfilled. "Vouchers are an opportunity for children and young people to shop freely in a way that is otherwise not possible for them. That's why vouchers are so important!" The variety of wishes is limitless - Virtious, nine years old, would like a baby doll or Barbie. Renas, 18 years old, would love a men's perfume. No heart is left cold when you read Najim's wish: The ten-year-old wishes for the book "Does dying pass again?", which provides answers to children's questions about death and grief.

Warm clothes needed
As part of the launch of the wish list campaign, the Burtscheid Center for Social Work is once again reporting that the clothing stores are empty. There is a shortage of warm clothing, especially in the cold season. Specifically, winter clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, jackets and shoes are needed.

Please only contact the institution directly for donations:
Zentrum für soziale Arbeit Burtscheid / Ev. Frauenverein Aachen von 1850
Branderhofer Weg 14, 52066 Aachen
E-mail: kontakt@zfsa.de
Phone: 0241-609070