On Sunday, the Ecumenical Aid Organization called for a celebratory candle-lighting ceremony: the first Advent candle was lit by Goodwill Ambassador István Koko Lévai and Anikó Lévai in Budapest.
The first Sunday of Advent always means a new beginning, a coming together, which starts again and again with the first candle, the first gingerbread heart, and the first donation - emphasized Anikó Lévai, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's wife and the aid organization's goodwill ambassador at the event.
Anikó Lévai said that the fund-raising campaign of the aid organization undertakes to alleviate the community's hunger, which can be alleviated with spiritual, emotional and spiritual ammunition.
The aid organization's community is united by the will to do and the love of action, he added.
The love in action is also shown in the fact that there are many programs in different parts of the country, in which those who initially received help from the organization have already joined, now as donors, Anikó Lévai pointed out.
István Koko Kovács recalled that he has been cooperating with the aid organization for twenty years now.
According to the goodwill ambassador, Advent means a little different to people today, it carries a different message, so care must be taken to preserve the original intention of this period: waiting, recharging. The holiday of love is not the same as the holiday of giving gifts, he emphasized.
This year too, you can help via donation line 1353, and Tesco has joined the campaign every year for more than ten years, said the goodwill ambassador.
László Lehel, the president and director of the aid organization, emphasized that they have had a stormy year behind them, they had to face many challenges, but the strength of cooperation is great.
He said that the aid organization, which is expanding every year, helps thousands of needy and crisis-stricken families throughout the year through its nationwide network of institutions, giving food, a home and a chance to those in need.
About 300,000 portions of food were distributed to the hungry, 300 families in crisis were provided with safe shelter every year, and development sessions were organized to catch up with 300 needy children.
According to communication director Kristóf Gáncs, the 28th fundraiser launched until December 31st on this page , and by dialing the donation line 1353 with HUF 500 per call or SMS.
About 17,000 people have dialed the donation line so far, and HUF 8.5 million has been collected so far.
You can still help by bank transfer and check to bank account number 11705008-20464565. The collection also started in Tesco stores in mid-November. Almost HUF 40 million was collected in less than 20 days from HUF 250 donation coupons found at the traditional and self-service cash registers of around 200 stores. The coupons are also available online in the amount of HUF 250, 500 and 1000, the communications director said.
Kristóf Gáncs said: the aid organization's Donation Point has also opened at the site of the Advent Basilica event series, where donations can be made in person, and money offers are also accepted in the collection boxes placed at major post offices throughout the country.
MTI
Cover photo: Anikó Lévai, the goodwill ambassador of the Ecumenical Relief Organization, wife of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (k), László Lehel, president and director of the Ecumenical Relief Organization (b) and István Koko Kovács, the goodwill ambassador of the relief organization, Olympic and world champion boxer (j) light the fire first Advent candle at the aid organization's national headquarters in Budapest on December 3, 2023
Source: MTI/Péter Lakatos
