The non-profit association “Soldiers with a Heart” held the award ceremony for the international painting competition at the Happ Reptile Zoo in Klagenfurt on October 14. The five best young artists from over 120 entries from four nations were not only delighted to receive their awards and medals – they also had their personal heart’s desires fulfilled. Militär Aktuell was also part of the 56-strong jury this year.
From bicycles and large Lego sets to safety equipment for scooter skating. Each gift was carefully selected to give the children a special treat. “It fills me with pride to see how our painting competition helps to encourage creativity in children and young people. Creativity opens doors to new ways of thinking and prepares young people for the challenges of the future,” said John Patrick Platzer, President of “Soldiers with Heart”, proud of the positive influence of the competition. https://militaeraktuell.at/kommandouebergabe-jaegerbataillon-burgenland/ The Order of St. Stanislaus Knights, under the leadership of Prior Thomas Schatz, was also present with a delegation of knights and made it possible for the winners’ heartfelt wishes to be fulfilled. Schatz emphasized: “These gifts are more than just material things – they are symbols of hope and confidence in a better future, which we give to the children.” After the emotional award ceremony, another highlight awaited the winners and their families: an exclusive tour of the reptile zoo led by hostess Helga Happ. The bravest participants were even able to experience bearded dragons and snakes up close – an unforgettable experience that rounded off the eventful day perfectly.
Helga Happ, head of the reptile zoo, was delighted with the special atmosphere of the event: “Seeing the joy on the children’s faces is priceless. We are honored that the final took place at our zoo again this year. We were not only able to celebrate the children’s creativity, but also to awaken their enthusiasm for the fascinating world of reptiles.”
The overall winner Larissa Rainer, a student at BRG Viktring, follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner Marie Wurzer, who also comes from the same school and was also part of the 56-strong jury this year. 17-year-old Larissa was particularly pleased with her main prize, an airbrush device, which she intends to use to further develop her passion for cosplay costumes. “The airbrush device will help me take my costumes to the next level. It’s an incredible joy to see my heart’s desire fulfilled,” she explained enthusiastically. The best motifs from the competition are now available as patches in the Armystyle store in Klagenfurt’s Rosentaler Straße. All proceeds (ten euros per badge) will go towards “Soldiers with a Heart” projects for children and young people in need. In the coming weeks, the association is planning a sleeping bag campaign for the youth shelters in Klagenfurt and Villach. In addition, the Christkind will be supported again in December. The competition has shown how much creativity there is in our children – and how important it is to give them the opportunity to realize their dreams. Militär Aktuell was delighted to be a part of this great event this year.
