Volunteer efforts recognized: LEA helpers shine in Abtsgmünd!

Volunteer efforts recognized: LEA helpers shine in Abtsgmünd!

In the small community of Abtsgmünd, the LEA volunteers were honored with the prize for special commitment on November 11th, 2025. This was the 21st award ceremony by the Kolping families in the Ostalbkreis, and the atmosphere in the Josefshaus was exuberant. The honor took place under the direction of Wolfgang Haas, chairman of the Abtsgmünder Kolping Family. Many guests, especially volunteers, came together to attend this special celebration. The first sounds of this festive event were presented by the drummers of the Aalen African Cultural Association under the direction of Pierre Kedagni.

In his welcoming speeches, Harald Golla, district chairman of the Kolping Families, and District Administrator Joachim Bläse praised the tireless work of the volunteers. In his laudatory speech, Bläse highlighted the remarkable endurance and courage of these women and men who have worked to the limits of their possibilities over the last ten years, where state aid often reaches its limits. He mentions that many helpers were often confronted with ridicule when they began their work for refugees. They are not the naive do-gooders they are often assumed to be, but rather people with a strong mission.

The commitment of the volunteers

In recent years, LEA helpers have created a comprehensive range of support for refugees. From language courses to translation services to help with doctor's appointments and dealing with authorities - their spectrum of involvement is wide-ranging. In her speech, Anita Knaus from Caritas recalled the rapid organizational measures that were taken at the beginning of the refugee wave in 2014. The volunteers acted without hesitation and provided great help to their community.

The volunteer coordinators include Peggy Wetterich and Hanna Schock from Caritas. These two women ensure that the many activities and offers can be implemented effectively. The entire project is also supported by the new contact person for volunteers in refugee work at the Caritas Association for the Rhine-Neckar District, Karolina Schembri. She brings with her extensive experience, having worked for seven years at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and as a German teacher in the integration area. Their goal is to relieve volunteers and provide them with the right contacts, which is particularly important in the current situation.

The challenges of volunteers

The challenges that volunteers face are diverse. They are often confronted with migration-specific questions, for example when it comes to supporting family reunifications or filling out applications to the job center. At the current time, when the Corona situation is also affecting refugee work, the initiation of sponsorship projects is being delayed. Nevertheless, the motivation of the helpers remains high. Caritas offers comprehensive information and support for those interested in helping refugees.

More information about support for volunteers in refugee work can be found on the Caritas website. The volunteers' tireless efforts over the past few years show how important it is to promote solidarity and community, especially in difficult times. Abtsgmünd is an exemplary example of how great things can be achieved through solidarity and commitment.