Many children look forward to Pakjesavond on December 5 all year long. But the Sinterklaas celebration is not a carefree celebration for everyone.
It can also be confrontational for families with a tight budget. This is what the Assen Sinterklaas Campaign Foundation states. That is why they have collected hundreds of gifts recently.
These parcels will be collected in three days this week by parents of around 600 children from Assen. To ensure this runs smoothly, it takes some organisation.
The Sinterklaas Action Assen Foundation has set up a warehouse in Assen to give Sinterklaas a helping hand. “It has become a real shop,” says Hans de Willigen, chairman of the foundation.
The foundation took over the Sinterklaas campaign a few years ago. De Willigen: “We try to ensure that children who are less fortunate financially can also celebrate a fun Sinterklaas party at home.”
This is the fourth year that the organization has organized the campaign. “We notice that more and more children are eligible for the promotion,” says De Willigen. He thinks that has to do with two things. “Poverty is increasing in the Netherlands, even though a number of people are extremely rich. But it is also due to positive PR, which means more people are coming.”
Yet the step for families to call the foundation is not easy. “People have to get over their shame.”
The foundation keeps an eye on offers all year round to find gifts. “We store all that and it is distributed on these days,” says the chairman. It is now a busy affair in the warehouse full of presents. “It’s fantastic,” De Willigen says enthusiastically.
People who qualify are registered by Stichting Leergeld. They are then divided into shifts to visit the ‘store’. De Willigen: “They first receive a large bag of gingerbread nuts and a chocolate letter for all family members.”
They are then allowed to do ‘shopping’ under the supervision of someone. “The supervisor knows exactly how old the children they have are and whether they are boys or girls,” De Willigen explains. “Then they can go around the tables to pick out presents.”
At the end they receive an (audio) book, board game, large puzzle and tickets to the ice rink on Koopmansplein or to the Drents Museum.
The presents are also all wrapped by volunteers. “It must really be a big Sinterklaas party for those people at home.”
“You get very nice reactions,” he says. “And you really meet a need. Because don’t forget, those children come to school and their friends receive Sinterklaas presents. If they don’t get that, they will be in that disadvantaged position again. We try to prevent that.”