American Women’s Club Provides 1,125 Presents to Disadvantaged Children

The American Women’s Club of Luxembourg (AWCL) confirmed on Monday that it has provided disadvantaged children with 1,125 presents so far this festive season as part of its 2021 "Gifts for Kids" programme.

AWCL is in its 25th year of making the winter holidays a little happier for children across the Grand Duchy through its annual Gifts for Kids programme. Since 1996, AWCL has been organising this volunteer-run, community-driven charitable initiative to bring holiday presents to children living in Luxembourg foyers.

So far this year, the programme has contacted 84 foyers and has purchased 1,125 presents for disadvantaged children who may not otherwise receive a present. This does not include all children in Luxembourg foyers, so every year the programme tries to reach more children. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and increased teleworking has impacted the ability to collect funds and deliver more gifts in the past two years.

The programme relies on individual donations and over 20 partners throughout Luxembourg to help collect funds for the presents. Partner companies and schools place Christmas trees in prominent locations with handcrafted paper ornaments. Each ornament indicates the gift wish of a child who has chosen a favorite present from the holiday catalogue of Cactus Belle Etoile, a longtime partner of Gifts for Kids. This year, the value of the gifts increased from €25 to €30. Individuals do not buy the actual present but provide the funds for the purchase. The AWCL then arranges the buying of the presents with Cactus, and a few days before the holidays in December, delivers the presents to the foyers to make sure the children have a happy Saint Nicholas Day and Christmas.

Each year, the students at St George's International School Luxembourg make handmade cards to accompany each present that is delivered, to make it a personal and special experience for the children.

“This is my fourth year involved with Gifts for Kids, but the AWCL volunteers have led it for the last 25 years. Our members, in collaboration with the Luxembourg community have delivered on Saint Nicholas Day since 1996", commented Liz Darder Bryant, President of AWCL. "Making a difference in the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children is incredibly meaningful to me. It embodies all the best aspects of this special time of year".  

For more information or to help buy a present for a child, visit the Gifts for Kids website: https://www.awclux.com/Gifts-for-Kids.