Peace boxes for Nikopol: Leverkusen children help in times of need!

Peace boxes for Nikopol: Leverkusen children help in times of need!

In the cold season, when it's all about charity and solidarity, the focus is on the children affected by war in Ukraine. The city of Leverkusen and the Blue-Yellow Cross Association are calling for participation in the “Peace Boxing for Nikopol” campaign. Nikopol, Leverkusen's twin city, is suffering greatly from the ongoing attacks by the Russian armed forces. Millions of children in Ukraine are in acute need and many live as internally displaced people, like them Cologne City Gazette reported.

This year, attacks are intensifying with the use of ballistic missiles, further deteriorating living conditions for the civilian population. The “Peace Boxes” are intended to give the children in Nikopol joy and hope at Christmas. We ask that you fill the boxes with child-friendly gifts - a great way to do something good and put a smile on each child's face.

Contents of the peace boxes

Peace boxes should be filled with new and unused items. Here are some examples of content that is well received:

• kleine Spielzeuge
• Kuscheltier
• Taschenlampe oder Kerze
• Powerbanks
• warme Socken und Handschuhe
• haltbare Süßigkeiten
• Stifte und Farbe
• Postkarten mit Weihnachtswünschen

It is important that the boxes are completely sealed, but must not contain any perishable food. Donors are asked to write the age and gender of the child receiving the gift on the box and to leave their address details in order to create an individual connection. The note “Nikopol” should also not be missing.

Delivery options

The peace boxes will be dropped off from Monday, December 1st to Thursday, December 18th in the city library in the town hall gallery. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This action is also intended to send a strong signal of solidarity that can be felt across borders.

There are similar initiatives in the Heinsberg district, which has a partnership with the Nikopol district. Shortly before Christmas, we are also calling for donations to give the children in Ukraine a touch of holiday cheer. More than 2.9 million children in Ukraine suffer from the lasting consequences of war, and the Blau-Gelbes Kreuz e.V. association has been intensively supporting these efforts for years to promote a free and democratic Ukraine.

UNICEF is also active in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, the organization has provided millions of people with relief supplies, including clean water, medical equipment and winter clothing. They help repair schools and set up shelters for children, which is extremely important given the current situation. The support goes beyond national borders and also extends to neighboring countries that accept refugee families. Organizational help ensures that the people affected need to be cared for both medically and psychologically, as stated on the website UNICEF can be read.

The “Peace Boxing for Nikopol” campaign calls for joint support – a small gesture can have a big impact. Let us work together to ensure that hope and joy are not lost even in the most difficult times.