Successful Christmas tree campaign: 4,706.50 euros for the food bank

The third edition of the Christmas tree campaign at the city's main cemetery has been completed. As part of the official cheque presentation, those responsible have now handed over the proceeds of 4,706.50 euros to Tafel Bocholt e.V. and thanked the participating sponsors and volunteers in particular for their logistical and financial support.

The campaign was organised by the private initiators Ingo Damhus and Susanne Hülskamp-Seesing and supported by the waste disposal and service company (ESB) of the city of Bocholt. In recent weeks, citizens have had the opportunity to purchase baubles with greetings to the deceased and hang them on the trees provided in the cemetery. Initiator Ingo Damhus drew a positive conclusion at the handover: "With the donations, the participants have helped to make remembrance visible. The encounters and conversations have shown that remembrance connects - and love remains."

An essential aspect for the realisation of the campaign was the broad support from Bocholt's business community and citizens. The organisers would like to expressly thank the sponsors who made the project financially and materially possible. Special thanks also go to the numerous volunteers and the local shops that acted as sales outlets. "Without this civic commitment, it would not have been possible to realise the fundraising campaign on this scale", said Damhus.

The total amount of 4,706.50 euros will benefit the Bocholter Tafel food bank and thus directly support local people in need. In addition to the financial result, the focus was also on the social aspect: the event at the funeral parlour on the third Sunday in Advent offered a space for exchange and encounters. The cheque handover marks the end of this year's edition, which once again combined the commemoration of the deceased with a charitable cause. A repeat of the event is already planned for Christmas 2026.