For the 12th time now, the Hof University Chaplaincy and parish priest Barbara Merkes from the Catholic Church in Hof are inviting people to take part in a gift tree campaign at Hof University of Applied Sciences to benefit the weaker members of society. In an interview with “campuls-digital”, she explains exactly how the campaign works.
Ms. Merkes: Where can the “Gift Trees” be found and what is the aim of your campaign?
“The gift trees can be found at both universities in Hof – specifically in the foyer of the University of Applied Sciences for the Civil Service in Bavaria (HföD), in the entrance area of the canteen and in front of the cafeteria in Building A. From the very beginning, the university chaplaincy wanted to use this campaign to show how wonderful it is when we share what we have in life with each other. At Christmas time in particular, we realize how much joy is created when we give a small gift to people for whom everyday life is sometimes more challenging: be it because money is tight, because they are single, have health problems or are simply going through difficult times. Small gestures can make a big difference here and give warmth.
The response to the campaign has been overwhelming to this day: every year, we collect numerous gifts that we are able to pass on to people for whom they bring special joy.”
Cards hanging on the tree..
“Yes – lots of them! Many social and charitable institutions are taking part in the campaign again this year. We have printed the respective wishes on cards and hung them on the individual gift trees with the help of students.”
How exactly does the principle work – where can the presents be handed in?
“The principle was and is very simple: take a card, buy a gift, wrap it and hand it in at the gate of the HföD or Hof University of Applied Sciences with the respective card!”
The campaign ends on December 18, 2025, when we will hand over the gifts to the representatives of the individual institutions as part of an ecumenical service and hopefully bring a lot of joy!”
This year’s gifts will go to the following institutions
- Railroad station mission
- International Girls’ and Women’s Center of the EJSA
- Youth social work at the cathedral school
- Marienberg youth welfare center
- Helmbrechts secondary school with a theater project
- Mothers’ club
- Shelter cave
- Blackboard
- Thomas-Breit-House
- Waldkindergarten Stammbach with a music project
- Women’s emergency call Hochfranken
