The traditional live broadcast for LICHT INS DUNKEL on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2024, on ORF 2 once again sent an impressive signal of helpfulness and charity. Numerous celebrities as well as guardsmen and guardsmen from the Austrian Armed Forces sat at the donation telephones at the ORF media campus and in the A1 donation center all day long and took calls from donors. With the help of this support and the generosity of the people in Austria, a provisional donation result of 17,608,599 euros was achieved, which consists of all pledged donations for LICHT INS DUNKEL since the start of the campaign year up to and including December 24th. The donation amount will be used to support inclusive projects in the spirit of the LICHT IN DUNKEL association, thus enabling as many people as possible to receive the necessary support in the area of accessibility and learning assistance and thus better participation in society.
As part of the live broadcast, Eva Pölzl and Tarek Leitner welcomed the television audience live on ORF 2 from the ORF media campus. The show reached a high point when Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and other well-known personalities were guests in the studio. Vincent Bueno and the “ORF Allstars Band” provided musical accompaniment throughout the day with traditional Christmas songs, and Andreas Onea spoke to prominent guests on the donation telephones in the A1 donation center.
In a tried and tested tradition, the afternoon program of the LICHT IN DUNKEL program on Christmas Eve included several live entries into the ORF state studios. In the federal states, interesting talks with prominent guests, committed donors, unique initiatives, musical performances and local examples were shown that illustrate mutual support throughout the country.
Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, patron of the LICHT INS DUNKEL campaign: “Countless LICHT INS DUNKEL projects help all those who urgently need help. And countless people are committed to ensuring that others lead self-determined lives. This shows that we don’t care about others. No, we look at each other. Even and especially when we feel insecure ourselves. Because we in Austria know: Solidarity keeps us together. And only together can we shape our future well.”
ORF General Director Mag. Roland Weißmann: “The solidarity of the people in Austria for one another is once again particularly impressive in the 52nd year of LIGHT IN THE DUNKEL. As a media partner of LICHT IN DUNKEL, ORF offers the campaign a large multimedia stage in order to reach as many people in Austria as possible and motivate them to donate. Because LICHT INS DUNKEL not only guarantees support for people in need, but also sustainably promotes inclusion in Austrian society. This year’s donation result is once again a strong sign of cohesion. I would like to thank all donors very much. My thanks also go to our partners who have supported LICHT INS DUNKEL for over 50 years and will continue to make it successful in the coming years.”
Mag.a Ines Stilling, President of LICHT INS DUNKEL: “With LICHT INS DUNKEL we strengthen children affected by poverty and people with disabilities so that they can lead independent and self-determined lives. Thanks to the numerous donations, we can help quickly and unbureaucratically with the emergency aid fund and bring about lasting changes with the innovation fund. With their donations, ORF viewers and listeners help to create framework conditions and offers that enable every person – including people with disabilities or families affected by poverty – to be a valuable part of our society right from the start . I am happy about every donation that has led to this positive result, because it is an important contribution to making Austria more diverse, stronger and fairer. I would like to thank you very much for that.”
Prof. Pius Strobl, ORF Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and therefore ORF Head of LIGHT IN THE DARK: “The ORF stands by the side of people in Austria who need support most: families and children in need as well as people with disabilities. With our year-round work as media partner of LICHT INS DUNKEL, we focus on making the challenges of these people heard and increasing awareness of solidarity. Every cent donated counts – and it changes lives. Every donation is a further step towards an inclusive society in which everyone has their place. Many thanks to everyone who helps to give hope and joy in life.”
“Ö3 Christmas Miracle” was another particular success
The “Ö3 Christmas Miracle” was again a great success and was able to collect 5,486,812 euros for the LIGHT IN THE DUNKEL emergency aid fund. For the first time, the new trio around Tina Ritschl, Philipp Hansa and Sylvia Graf broadcast 120 hours from the “Ö3-Wunschhütte” in Wiener Neustadt.
In addition to the donation amount for the “Christmas Miracle”, 500,000 euros will come from the “Ö3 miracle bag”, which has already become a tradition and turns old cell phones into donated money. This resulted in a total donation volume of around 6 million euros, all of which went to the LIGHT IN THE DUNKEL emergency aid fund.
ORF supports LIGHT IN THE DARK in all media
The ORF reaches up to 6.5 million people in Austria with its multimedia offering. With its extensive campaigns, program focuses, programs and contributions on TV, radio and online, the ORF motivates a broad audience to strengthen cohesion in Austria and to donate to LIGHT IN THE DUNKEL.
All donation options for LICHT IN DUNKEL
Donations can still be made after Christmas Eve. Donations can be made all year round by call or SMS on the free A1 donation telephone number 0800 664 24 12. Online donations are possible via lichtinsschwarz.ORF.at and on Facebook at ORFLichtinsDunkel. All information about donation options can also be found in the ORF TELETEXT on page 680.
Inquiry note:
ORF-Corporate Social Responsibility
Alexandra Lipowsky
Phone: (01) 87878 – DW 12501
Email: alexandra.lipowsky@orf.at