The Covid crisis has both deepened and extended the financial difficulties faced by families with children, and the number of families applying for food aid has increased. Child poverty and its effects were discussed widely in the late autumn and aroused a strong desire among the public to help, which was reflected in the campaign result.
“We wanted to increase the number of vouchers this year so that we could offer Christmas food to as many low-income families as possible. We trusted in Finnish people’s willingness to help in difficult times. As the campaign has progressed, our trust has only grown stronger. We would like to extend warm thanks to all donors; each one of you has spread the good holiday spirit around you,” says Liisa Partio, Director of Communications and Fundraising at the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare.
The vouchers were distributed to families by local associations and departments of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and the Finnish Red Cross, whose networks cover the entire country, in collaboration with children’s health clinics, social services and church social workers.
Messages and thanks from families who received a gift voucher show that the gift was much appreciated:
Thank you. I received a Good Holiday Spirit voucher, and it was a really big surprise. I shed a few tears of happiness. It will allow me to enjoy Christmas with my children. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Without your help, we would not have had a Christmas. It’s hard to describe how much this means to us. Thank you, I’ll always remember this.
Campaign brings joy but does not solve the problem
The Good Holiday Spirit campaign was organised for the 25th time this year. There has been a constant need for the campaign, which was launched in the midst of a recession, as despite efforts, child poverty has not been reduced. Poverty affects about one in ten children.
“Campaigns are important because they raise people’s awareness of a serious societal problem while giving them an opportunity to help. Giving and receiving gifts is an important part of our Christmas traditions. It brings joy to Christmas,” says Liisa Partio.
“Collections can offer relief to low-income families at Christmas, but they do not solve the problem itself. This would require the right political decisions, such as raising the level of social security. Every family should be able to trust that they won’t be ignored in difficult situations but that society’s safety net will hold them and help them so that they can cope,” Partio adds.
The Good Holiday Spirit is a collection to help low-income families with children in Finland. It is organised by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and the Finnish Red Cross in collaboration with Yle. K-supermarkets, Lidl and the S Group’s supermarkets help to organise the campaign and also support it with donations.
For more information, please contact:
Eveliina Kutila, Press Officer, tel. +358 40 580 2393, eveliina.kutila(a)mll.fi
Liisa Partio, Director of Communications and Fundraising, tel. +358 40 580 8984, liisa.partio(a)mll.fi
Regina Laurén, Head of Fundraising Operations, tel. +358 40 665 0595, regina.lauren(a)redcross.fi