A present under the tree is not obvious for every child. And that is why there are about 75 Christmas trees scattered in North Holland North at schools, shops and libraries. The idea is simple: you take a card from the tree, buy a present and put it back under the tree.
What started fifteen years ago as a one-man action by Nicolien Jorritsma from Hoorn, has grown into a fundraising campaign where 800 children from families – affiliated with the Food Banks in West Friesland, Alkmaar, Langedijk and Zaanstad – are made happy with presents under the tree.
This year, applications from other civil society organizations will also be received. “We notice that there is even more need, not only for children who are affiliated with the Food Bank,” says Christine Samsom of the Puur voor Kids foundation, which organizes the Christmas campaign.
At the Bernardus van Bockxmeer school in Hoorn, students rig up the tree and hang the cards in it. “Then you can take a card from the tree, for example for a girl from 0 to 3 years old, then you buy a gift, put it back and the foundation brings it to the children,” explains 11-year-old Nick. “I think it’s very good. Other children also deserve a Christmas present, even children whose parents cannot afford it.”
They also talk about the fact that life is so expensive now in class. “We made a word spider with all words related to it,” says the year-old Maud (11), who also helps with the tree. “And things have also become more expensive in the store.”
She has already thought about what she wants to put under the tree as a gift. “I had a rainbow yahtzee at home, and I also have a regular yahtzee. So I want to give one of those to make another child happy.”
Collect
The Christmas promotion will run until December 15. Christine: “Then we will collect the gifts with a lot of volunteers and then they will be distributed throughout the region. That is either to the Food Bank or it will be delivered to the door of the children who receive the gift.”