Greetings of the Fulda District Administration

The AWO Fulda District Association can look back on a long and successful history. This year it celebrates its 75th anniversary, for which I would like to convey the greetings and congratulations of the district, but also my personal thanks for three quarters of a century of living human solidarity.

From humble beginnings, immediately after the end of the Second World War, a broad-based welfare association was established, with which the district of Fulda, as a local social and youth welfare organisation, works closely together in a spirit of trust and partnership in a wide variety of areas. The selfless commitment to others and the community is usually provided on a voluntary basis and therefore deserves high esteem. Anniversaries are particularly suitable for bringing these achievements to the attention of the public. Above all, recognition is due to the silent helpers who are otherwise rarely in the limelight.

The AWO offers a wide range of help, but it is always aimed at facilitating the everyday lives of disadvantaged people and enabling them to participate in society. Social hardship can take very different forms and require intervention. Together with the other welfare organisations, the AWO wants to be the mouthpiece for those who are not on the sunny side. Even those who produce little or no economic added value should not feel sidelined. Everyone can do something and has dignity and inalienable rights. Helping people seeking advice and assistance in the vicissitudes of life is the motivation and source of strength for the members and staff of the Workers’ Welfare Association. Suffering and hardship do not leave them indifferent, but spur them on again and again. It is therefore to be hoped that their example will encourage others and continue to find plenty of imitators.

Especially in view of the many examples of active neighbourly help during the Corona pandemic, I am convinced that there is a great deal of public spirit in Germany. Despite some excesses of the fun society, we have not suddenly become a nation of egoists. Every day there is proof that the German people have their hearts in the right place. Therefore, although it is regrettable that the planned big celebration on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the AWO Fulda cannot take place for the time being, the foundations have been laid for continued successful work oriented towards the well-being of people. In the 75 years of its existence, the association has seen quite different crises than Corona – and gained broad support and recognition in its efforts to make society a little more humane. And as so often in life, in this case too: Postponed is not abandoned.

Yours sincerely

Bernd Woide
District Administrator