Maltese promote solidarity with the disadvantaged

From December 5th to 8th, 2024, around 150 MALTESER volunteers took to the streets of Vienna and Graz to raise public awareness of the needs of the sick and the socially disadvantaged. This year’s street collection by the MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria not only achieved a great donation result, but also sent a strong signal for social solidarity and commitment to people in need.

Thanks to the generous support of the population and the efforts of numerous volunteers, the donation target was significantly exceeded. The funds collected flow directly into MALTESER’s diverse projects, which carry out more than 2,600 voluntary services each year for sick people, people in need of care and socially disadvantaged people in Vienna and Graz alone. In addition to medical and rescue services, the activities include many social services for people with disabilities and those in need. The MALTESER are also active in the area of ​​disaster relief.

“The annual street collection is a valuable opportunity for us to send a publicly visible signal of solidarity with the disadvantaged in our society,” emphasizes Commander Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld. “The great result shows how much people identify with our values ​​and our mission. We would like to say a big thank you for that!” A special thank you goes to the many MALTESER volunteer members who tirelessly collected donations regardless of wind and weather. “Your commitment is an impressive example of Christian charity in action. Thank you for your service!” said Spiegelfeld.

In addition, the MALTESER are also committed to improving the framework conditions for aid organizations. A few days ago, the Civil Protection Association handed over a position paper to Interior Minister Karner, on which the MALTESER and other key emergency organizations worked. This calls for stronger state crisis and disaster management, as well as incentives to promote volunteer work and a reduction in bureaucracy for emergency organizations. “With these measures, donations such as those generated through street collections could be used even more effectively,” concluded Commander Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld.

The next street collection will take place in Salzburg – like every year – on Palm Sunday weekend and therefore from April 10th to 13th, 2025.

About the MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria

Founded in Austria in 1956 by the Sovereign Knights of Malta, the MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria has developed into one of the largest purely voluntary rescue and disabled care organizations in Austria. Poor, needy, sick and abandoned people are the focus of the MALTESER’s activities, which are based on Christian charity. Over 1,000 active, exclusively voluntary members provide personal attention to old, disabled and needy people in the area of ​​social work and care for the disabled, or help in the medical and rescue services as well as in disaster relief. Donations to Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria are tax deductible. www.malteser.at