Koehler Works Council Christmas Tree Initiative: Giving the Gift of Joy Together

Once again this year, the Koehler Group Works Council at the German sites of Oberkirch, Kehl, and Willstätt organized its traditional Christmas Tree Initiative. The way it works is both simple and remarkably impactful: We collect Christmas wish lists from people who are currently experiencing hardship so that Koehler employees can help make those wishes come true. It is an important show of solidarity and charity that, just like last year, took the form of 100 gifts given in collaboration with charities Caritas and Diakonie.

An initiative driven by empathy and tradition

What started with traditional wish lists on a Christmas tree has grown into a well-established tradition over the course of more than two decades. The initiative was brought to life in 2004 by the Chairman of the Works Council at the time and has evolved since: Wishes are now published digitally, making it possible for even more people at the Koehler Group’s various sites to help out. “To tell you the truth, the response is incredibly heartwarming – those wishes get posted online and pretty much right away someone pledges to fulfill them. It’s no secret that things are difficult for a lot of people right now, so seeing these acts of solidarity and love for our fellow human beings helps remind us of the good in all of us,” says Sabine Seebacher, the Chairwoman of the Works Council.

The wish lists show how wide the gap can be when it comes to people’s daily lives and struggles: from vouchers for pharmacies and supermarkets, to warm clothing, to toys – things that go without saying for many can be an enormous help to others. The collected gifts were handed over to representatives from Caritas and Diakonie, which will be distributing these gifts in the coming days. It is also worth saying that this is not just a matter of material assistance, but also of spreading hope and joy in the holiday season.