The non-profit association “Soldiers with Heart” celebrated its fifth anniversary in Villach and can look back on more than 70 charitable campaigns that have been implemented since it was founded in 2020. At the anniversary celebration at the “Villacher Sozialadvents” Advent stall, President John Patrick Platzer and his team thanked all supporters who have made this work possible.
The celebration marked the end of three intensive days full of encounters, conversations and charity in action. All of the proceeds from the last day of the Advent stand will go to the widow and son of the deceased comrade Christoph – this project was set up together with comrade Niklas Deuschl and “shows that comradeship does not end with death, but that it carries on when a family urgently needs help,” says Platzer.
Among the outstanding projects of recent years are the cooperation with the EC KAC and EC VSV, in which “soldiers with a heart” invited children and young people from difficult life situations to home games. In addition to tickets, the members of the club also organized accompanying programmes such as souvenir photos and meet and greets with the players.
In addition, the association set accents with adventure days together with the Austrian Water Rescue, organized self-defence courses and make-up workshops, as well as cinema and theater visits. Other projects include the annual sleeping bag campaign for the emergency youth shelters and the “Clever heads wear helmets” campaign, in which bicycle helmets and books on road safety are donated.
The work of “Soldaten mit Herz” has attracted attention throughout Austria in recent years. Among other things, the organization was named “Heart Association of the Year” by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper. During the voting phase, they even received video support from the Minister of Defense, Klaudia Tanner, who invited the association’s board to Vienna after winning the award. The Carinthian military command also awarded “Soldiers with Heart” the title of Defence Policy Organization of the Year in recognition of the association’s supra-regional commitment.
President John Patrick Platzer emphasized: “In five years, we have shown that camaraderie means more than words. It means taking responsibility, looking, acting and giving hope to those who need it. Every success in recent years does not belong to us, but to all those who have worked with us – voluntarily, reliably and with heart. I am eternally grateful for that.”
Looking to the future, the association announced that it would continue to expand its commitment. The current Christmas campaign “Schützenhilfe fürs Christkind”, in which wishes of children and young people from socially difficult situations are fulfilled, is a current example of the ongoing work. Further projects are also to be realized in the coming year – always with the aim of strengthening children and young people in need, giving them joy and not leaving them alone.
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