The official donation handover from the proceeds of the gemstone fair has now taken place. For many years, the exhibitors have been donating prizes worth between 5 and 200 € for the raffle. A total of 4,405 tickets were sold at 1 € each. After taxes were deducted, a considerable donation amount of 3,701.68 € remained, which was handed over by Mayor Nadine Backes in equal parts to the two regional aid organizations “Hilf-Mit” and “Herzenssache.”
Support for important social projects
The organization „Hilf-mit“ of the Saarbrücker Zeitung has been supporting needy and innocently distressed people as well as projects of welfare associations and similar groups from the Saarland since 1973. Since the organizational change in 1995, several million euros in donations have been received. Representing the "Hilf-Mit" managing director Eva Scherer, who apologized for the handover appointment, local editor Manfred Schetting gladly accepted the check. "I would like to sincerely thank the city of St. Ingbert for the long-standing cooperation. In our aid project, the donors are often mentioned and less so the recipients who have innocently fallen into hardship. The fact that so many people donate anonymously without really knowing who ultimately receives the money is all the more wonderful," Manfred Schetting knows.
“Herzenssache,” the children’s aid campaign by SWR, SR, and Sparda-Bank, also advocates for disadvantaged children and young people in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Saarland. Protecting, supporting, and empowering is the motto. Since the association’s founding in 2000, more than 59 million euros in donations have been received. The check was handed over by Mayor Nadine Backes to Susanne Wachs, Head of the SR 3 program group. "I would also like to sincerely thank everyone for the many years of support for 'Herzenssache.' This year, eight major aid projects have already been implemented, all basically pursuing the same goal: All children should have equal opportunities!” said the well-known radio presenter.
A sign of community and solidarity
Mayor Nadine Backes gladly took the handover appointment on behalf of Lord Mayor Dr. Ulli Meyer, as she also cares deeply about the two aid projects: "The gemstone exchange in St. Ingbert is not only a platform for gemstone enthusiasts but also a place where community is lived and good is done. Especially in these turbulent times, this help is particularly important." Her thanks also went to Anne Schorr as the organizer of the gemstone exchange. "I am always amazed at how many visitors come to our fair from France or Luxembourg, we can truly be proud of that. Additionally, I want to speak up for the great generosity of the exhibitors when it comes to donations, which is by no means a given," said the employee of the cultural department with pleasure.
Mayor Nadine Backes concluded by describing the fair as a "well-rounded event." Satisfied exhibitors, happy visitors, and in the end, a donation amount for social projects that is impressive.
