RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

The Spirit of the Holidays

Organizations or individuals mobilize during the holidays to give gifts to children from disadvantaged backgrounds

The Spirit of the Holidays
The Spirit of the Holidays

, 26.12.2023, 14:00

The winter holidays involve various preparations. For some people, however, it also means bringing joy to others. Organizations or individuals mobilize during the holidays to give gifts to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Internet abounds with mobilizing messages such as: ‘We expect you to give warmth to children this year as well, by donating a jacket or a pair of boots for the little ones and the big ones. Jackets and shoes should be clean, new or carefully worn’, or ‘The greatest joy for little ones are toys. No matter how hard it is for them, play is essential for their mental development, keeping them upbeat and happy.’ Supplies and hygiene products are also collected, but especially those that can be associated with a visit from Santa Claus.




However, the exhortation At Christmas Time Be Better should be extended throughout the year. And this was the discussion I had with Florentina Baloş, the president of the Keg of Smiles Association, who was running to complete her plans for this Christmas:


We are better for Christmas, I hope we are not better only at Christmas, let’s follow our own example that we set in December and continue to be better throughout the year, from January to December! This Christmas, we would have liked to gather as many as possible in one place, so that Santa Claus would come and give them gifts, but we also have many at home, so this December we focused on the delivered gifts part. We want the packages to have something to help them go to school in January, because usually in January it’s cold, and then they have to have a thick coat, boots, so this December we’re focusing on the gift side, so that no child should be left wanting.




And because I know that Florentina’s association already has a long tradition of collecting and handing out Christmas gifts, we asked our interlocutor where this year’s gifts end up:


We go into repeat mode, and we like the repeat mode. We are proud of the fact that from year to year we improve what we offer and we do our best in this sense. This year I am Mrs. Santa Claus, and together with the elves we help Santa reach as many special needs children as possible. Santa reaches children from the special school in sector 6 (Bucharest) and many children from villages. We will also award 200 children from the Children’s Palace, because we love them so much! We are very fond of those who work to achieve their goals, and the children who will be awarded go to school, go to rehearsals, go to competitions, and we are glad that we can be partners with them and their teachers.


Florentina Baloş, the president of the Keg of Smiles Association, told us that if, a few years ago, they were looking for the areas to reach or the cases to oversee, now the requests come directly to the association:


Now we don’t seek them out anymore, they come to us. Indeed, all cases are verified, because it is a matter of mutual trust. There are plenty of cases, they are coming to us, we are at the limit at this moment! We go for quality, we don’t take more children than we can support, we take children that Santa can reach for sure.




The holidays pass, their joy fades over time, the need for help remains, however. The joy of offering support can also be maintained, as shared, full of hope, by Florentina Baloş, the president of the Keg of Smiles Association:


I would like as many people as possible to understand that it doesn’t matter how much you give, and it doesn’t matter what you give. You can give money, but you can give time, or you can give ideas. Or, the easiest thing, you can give smiles! And it’ll return to you a thousand fold most of the time!




We also send a message to all those who want to make the world a better place, to always aim to contribute, at least with smiles to those in need, and not only during the holidays!


Village Museum Maramures (Photo: Mariana Chirita)
Inside Romania Tuesday, 24 June 2025

The childhood house, a village museum

When it was built in 1835, it had the number 729 on the gate, and had a river stone with a hole in it hung on the door, according to local custom, to...

The childhood house, a village museum
Кібербезпека на фестивалі!
Inside Romania Tuesday, 17 June 2025

CyberSea Festival 2025

Summer, sea, fun on the beach! Sounds like vacation? Well, we have another challenge for you: the CyberSea Festival 2025: Dive into the future of...

CyberSea Festival 2025
Credits facebook.com/WeAreRomaniaYouAreWelcome
Inside Romania Tuesday, 10 June 2025

“We are Romania! You are welcome”

The plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies this month voted a bill that stipulates that the National Day of Romanian Gastronomy and Wine can also...

“We are Romania! You are welcome”
Foto: facebook.com/FormareCulturala
Inside Romania Tuesday, 03 June 2025

History revisited

The Romanian Cultural Training Platform announces the launch of the project “Nordic Insights: addressing cancel culture in public spaces...

History revisited
Inside Romania Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Trending now:  Api phytotherapy

It is known that Api phytotherapy is a complementary method of treatment of various conditions and diseases, based on natural remedies from medicinal...

Trending now:  Api phytotherapy
Inside Romania Tuesday, 20 May 2025

The Story of Leather Belts

Crafts are on the verge of extinction, and that is why the experiences of craftsmen have a fairytale character. This is also the case of Petru...

The Story of Leather Belts
Inside Romania Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Unusual Easter Traditions

Easter is celebrated in various ways in Christian countries, from decorating homes or fountains, for example in Switzerland, to burning Christmas...

Unusual Easter Traditions
Inside Romania Tuesday, 22 April 2025

The Academy of Defensive Driving

In today’s edition of our social feature we are going to have a look at a different kind of driving school, one, which was founded by a rally...

The Academy of Defensive Driving

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company