Cipősdoboz (“Shoebox”)
Cipősdoboz (“Shoebox”) is one of Budapest’s most classic charity options during the Christmas period. We can thank a creative grandma for this idea, the tradition of which reached Hungary around a decade ago. The organizers collect more and more boxes each year, and distribute them among children in need – whether they have to celebrate Christmas in the hospital, come from difficult families, or live with disabilities. If you would like to participate, all you need to do is take an empty shoebox (in good condition), decide on an age group and whether you would like to give a gift to a boy or a girl, and fill the box with presents – in accordance with certain predetermined criteria. This year, 5,000 Cipősdoboz gift donors can learn where their boxes have been sent.
When:
through December 18
Donation
point:Deák Ferenc SquareMore details (in Hungarian)
MikulásGyár (“Santa’s Factory”)
The Metropolitan Organization of the Red Cross in Budapest is the partner for the MikulásGyár (“Santa’s Factory”) Christmas charity initiative. MikulásGyár collects preservable food (pasta, canned food, oil, sugar, salt, flour, etc.), along with cleaning and sanitary products, good quality clothes, blankets, toys, and books. Volunteers select donations and put them in boxes, which then get forwarded to nationwide centers of the Hungarian Red Cross by the Hungarian Post. MikulásGyár is one of the best-known and most acclaimed charity actions of Europe.
When:
through December 20
Donation
point:1956 Memorial SquareMore details (in Hungarian)
Hello Wood Charity Tree
The Municipality of Budapest, the BVA Budapest City Identity Nonprofit Ltd., Design Terminal, Vodafone Hungary, and Hello Wood erected a monumental Charity Tree at Erzsébet Square, which not only looks fantastic, but can also be used for collecting donations. It is possible to offer direct cash donations on the spot as well, which will be used to purchase firewood for those in need by MÖSZ (Mentődolgozók Önálló Szakszervezete – “Independent Trade Union of Rescue Workers”).
When:
through January 6
Donation point:
Erzsébet Square More details
Age of Hope
The Age of Hope Foundation organizes a Christmas charity campaign to help poor families and disadvantaged children. In their case, this happens by donating gift packages through various collection points – the packages can contain toys, children’s clothes, preservable food, baby supplies, vitamins, pain relievers, sweets, cleaning and sanitary products, and school supplies. Naturally, financial support can come in handy too, used entirely for delivering the packages, and for necessary donations at the end of the campaign. The list of collection points is constantly growing.
When:
through December 16
Donation point:Dark Art TattooMore details (in Hungarian)
Add tovább! (“Pass it on!”)
The organizers of Add tovább! (“Pass it on!”) aim to make wishes come true for 300 kids in children’s homes: all the donors have to do is choose a child from the given list, buy what they asked for, and bring it to KIOSK on December 13th, where they can wrap the present and send it off. Fortunately, the list of wishes quickly filled up with the donors’ names, but those who missed out so far can still donate: the homes submitted a common list, with items that could make the everyday lives of the children much better and happier.
When:
December 13
Donation point:KIOSK BudapestMore details (in Hungarian)
“OneWeek” by Budapest Bike Maffia
Budapest Bike Maffia has been helping those in need on two wheels for years now. With their latest weeklong Christmas event series, they would like to draw attention to the plight of the needy, and establish local units that can help people in different neighborhoods. Their partner is miutcánk.hu (in Hungarian), a local community-building platform where people can get in touch with other local volunteers, join them in their activities, and work in an efficient way.
When:
December 12, 2pm-6pm
Donation point:Akvárium Klub More details
Hérosz “garage sale”
In 1882, Hungarian scientist Ottó Herman founded Hérosz Association, Europe’s only animal-shelter organization for a long time. The association’s team is known for fundraising not only around Christmas, but also all year round. However, they always hold a charity event in December, where they gladly accept not only money, but also blankets, pet food, and other useful products. The “garage sale” welcomes everyone who can offer some donations with cookies and mulled wine made by volunteers.
When:
December 13 More details (in Hungarian)
Kuckó Advent package
Kuckó Advent packages are given to children who live in children’s homes, but who can go home for the holidays, and whose Christmas dinner would be quite poor without some donations. The package includes tea, cocoa, candy, pasta, liver paste, salami, some spices, and vouchers for meat. Currently, there are 40 families that the organizers would like to give packages to. The price of one package starts at 4,000 forints, depending on the number of family members.
When: until December 13 More details (in Hungarian)
Ajándékdoboz (“Giftbox”)
Ajándékdoboz (“Giftbox”) is the first community charity point in Hungary, and is not necessarily connected to Christmas, since it operates all year round and around the clock – but the holiday season has big potential, so we must mention it. The project is simple: anyone can bring in stuff that they do not use anymore, which anyone can take if they have a need for it.
When:
anytime Where: Budapest 1016, Mészáros u. 56More details (in Hungarian)
