The students of the St. Ingbert-Rohrbach Pestalozzi Elementary School and the Hassel branch have literally outdone themselves! It all began with the fact that the students were affected by the war in Ukraine just like many adults. There are also children in the school who have fled from Ukraine with their families. The students know and feel very clearly that these children are truly not doing well.
“We want peace” – is written on a large sign that the students designed themselves. However, they knew that this call alone would not be enough. So the school considered starting a fundraising campaign. Initially, the branch in Hassel organized a cake sale. For about a week, cakes, pastries, pretzels, and fruit skewers contributed by the parents were sold during recess in the schoolyard. In this way, the first 1,500 euros were raised.
Soon after, the charity run took place at the Pestalozzi School in Rohrbach. About 160 children from the 1st to the 4th grade found sponsors and agreed on lap prizes with them. The motivation was enormous: "I ran 18 laps," says a girl from the 1st grade. "We managed that because we do so much sports," a fourth grader happily says. And a boy from the 3rd grade beams: "My parents are definitely broke now!" The children raised over 13,000 euros – a record amount! But the primary school students' activities did not end there: The FGTS (Voluntary All-Day School) organized a bazaar over two afternoons – in Rohrbach and Hassel – where parents, grandparents, siblings, guests, teachers, and students themselves could purchase handmade items and a self-designed reusable cup with the Ukraine logo, while enjoying coffee, cake, waffles, and non-alcoholic cocktails. From all four activities, over 17,000 euros were raised in total. The sum will be divided into two parts. Half will be donated by the two support associations to the “Herzenssache” charity, and the other half will go to the “Network for Refugees in St. Ingbert e.V.”.
Vice Principal Petra Röser is enthusiastic about this joint effort: “You have raised money that would be enough for a car or an amazing vacation. But you are donating the money – that is fantastic!” she praises the children and thanks the support associations of both schools for their great commitment and the parents for their willingness to donate. Claudia Schneider (Hassel Support Association) and Stefan Zähringer (Rohrbach Support Association) are overwhelmed and convey the greetings of the chairpersons of the Rohrbach and Hassel support associations, who were unable to attend the check presentation: “As support associations, we were happy to support the fundraising campaigns. We also want to give great praise to the teaching staff who have addressed this difficult topic in an age-appropriate manner.”
SR employee Thomas Rosch gladly accepts the check for the "Herzenssache" initiative. "This aid campaign by SR and SWR supports children and young people in the region who are struggling. You have made a huge contribution!" Local head Roland Weber carries a child on his shoulders for the photo: "Respect and hats off! You can see that you have a big heart and understand how important it is to help others together. The people of Rohrbach and Hassel are proud of you!"
The principal of the Pestalozzi School, Nadine Backes, who unfortunately could not attend the check presentation, sends her praise to the children: "I am proud of the willingness to help and the fundraising activities of the St. Ingbert schools – and of course especially proud of 'my' school."
Photo: Giusi Faragone
CAPTION: From left to right: Local mayor Roland Weber, Claudia Schneider, Hassel support association, Veronika Bastian, Thomas Rosch, SR-Herzenssache, Stefan Zähringer, Rohrbach support association, and vice principal Petra Röser are delighted about the incredible donation amount.
