In Rema1000 in Skagen, however, employee Gitte Hansen often asks an additional question.
Photo: Lars Pauli
Namely if you would like to donate 25 kroner to Danish Folkehjælp, which collects for Christmas aid packages, which go to families with children whose finances are not enough for, for example, Christmas food and Christmas presents.
Along with the question, one of Gitte Hansen’s personal stories about the years in her life, when the situation was different from today, when she is ten years old, is employed in the convenience store in Skagen.
A time which means that Gitte Hansen’s thoughts in these weeks revolve especially around those who get more and more stomach aches towards 24 December. And it’s not because they stuff themselves with Christmas goodies.
– How many people are already sitting around thinking: How will we get through this this year?, wonders Gitte Hansen.
– Because they sit like I sat then. They have no idea how to make it fit together.
Rema1000 in Skagen has collected a lot of money for Christmas aid. Gitte, who is employed as a flexible worker in the business, is particularly good at collecting money. Photo: Lars Pauli
Help saved Christmas
When Gitte Hansen’s daughter was small, the cashier had her own words “nothing to do with”.
For some years she was unemployed, alone with her daughter and also had expenses for petrol and the car she needed to transport herself to and from the company internship.
Therefore, she did what she thought was necessary. She applied for Christmas help.
– At least it saved our Christmas. It is 100 percent, she says.
One of the total of three Christmas aid packages she received over the years was from Dansk Folkehjælp, which she picked up at a Rema 1000 store.
In the bags were everything that, according to Gitte Hansen, belongs to a Christmas Eve. Roast, Christmas sweets, cookies and much more, which made it possible for her and her daughter to have a “normal” Christmas Eve.
– It meant everything, says Gitte Hansen.
Danish People’s Aid Christmas Aid
- In 2023, over 13,000 single parents received Christmas aid from Danish People’s Aid.
- Danish People’s Aid’s Christmas aid consists of DKK 800 for food per family and DKK 500 for Christmas presents per child (max. DKK 2,800 in total for Christmas aid per family).
- In order to receive Christmas aid, you must be a dependent on transfer income with children under 18 living at home.
- You can apply for Christmas help from 18 October to and including 15 November 2024.
Source: Danish People’s Aid
Gavmilde Skagboer
Last year, the store in Skagen was one of the North Jutland Rema 1000 stores that collected the most money for Christmas aid. According to the merchant in Rema 1000 Skagen, Jesper Torsten Pedersen, the store accepted approximately 700 donations. This year, the collection started on 1 November and will continue until the beginning of December.
– It’s going really well. People are generous this year, he says.
Gitte Hansen has previously received Christmas aid three times in her life, which is why it means extra to her. Sometimes she also shares her story with customers. Photo: Lars Pauli
Much of the credit for the donations goes to Gitte Hansen.
– We are doing it a bit differently than the other Remas in that Gitte has been in and said that we will be very good at collecting money for that, says Jesper Torsten Pedersen, who points out that the diligent cashiers are good at taking the extra time it takes to explain to customers what the money actually goes to.
Even Gitte Hansen does not know what she does differently from others.
– I do nothing but ask nicely, and if people say no, they say no, and that’s it. But eventually they say yes, says Gitte Hansen.
Sometimes she can see from the customers that they wonder how she knows so much about the charity project. In such a case, she occasionally tells them her own story.
– Then they understand it, says Gitte Hansen, who has no measure of how much she hopes the shop will collect this year. She takes what she can get and believes that everything counts.
Photo: Lars Pauli
If it’s up to her, it’s far from the last time she does her bit to collect money for the good cause.
She is more than happy with her work in the grocery store in Skagen.
– You can believe that I am. I’m not going from there. It was probably not my plan anyway, she emphasizes.
2024-11-16 19:56:00
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How much money has Gitte helped raise for the Christmas aid program this year?
Re of how much money she has helped raise this year, but she knows it has been significant.
The collection will continue until December, and Gitte is hopeful that they can surpass last year’s total. She believes that personal stories resonate with people and motivate them to contribute. Gitte’s commitment to the cause is palpable, and she often expresses gratitude for any help received, emphasizing that every donation counts.
Community Support
The generosity of local residents in Skagen has been overwhelming. Many have shared their own experiences with the Christmas aid program, creating a community bond that strengthens the campaign. This shared understanding fosters a culture of giving, making it easier for individuals to empathize with those in need.
Looking Ahead
As the holiday season approaches, Rema 1000 plans to host more events to raise awareness and funds for Christmas aid. The efforts from both employees and the community underscore the spirit of kindness that defines this time of year. Gitte and her team are determined to make a difference, ensuring that families in need can enjoy the holiday festivities without added financial stress.