A varied show program and a communal meal rounded off the event organized by Bäder, Sport und Freizeit Salzgitter GmbH.

In 2001, the United Nations proclaimed "International Volunteer Day" for the first time. And in the same year, the city of Salzgitter also invited volunteers to Volunteer Day for the first time. "We did this because we know how important civic engagement and voluntary work are for our society," emphasized Frank Klingebiel.

The Lord Mayor praised the volunteers who do a lot for the citizens of this city and therefore also take on responsibility. In addition, the work of these committed individuals helps to ensure that life in Salzgitter is characterized by warmth and humanity.

"I am happy and grateful that so many Salzgitter residents are committed to helping others and their city. Their actions are an expression of our vibrant urban society. This voluntary work sends out a positive signal and gives hope and confidence," emphasized Frank Klingebiel.

"You take responsibility for others. You all do so much good for our city. You are all role models for the people of Salzgitter."

On behalf of the citizens, the Lord Mayor thanked the volunteers and their partners who support this important work.

This year, special recognition was given to the "Psychosocial Emergency Care Specialist Group", which has been in existence for ten years and consists of 19 volunteers.

The women and men are called out day and night in the event of sudden deaths, to deliver death notifications, accidents, fires, suicides or violent crimes and help those affected and the emergency services. They provide people with psychological support and encouragement in exceptional emotional situations.

The specialist group is organizationally assigned to the Salzgitter professional fire department and consists of two areas:

There are the volunteers for those affected, relatives, first aiders and eyewitnesses. They accompany, advise and support the victims of an emergency in the acute crisis situation.

There is also a second area in which the volunteers help the emergency services to structure and process the emergency situation they have experienced, because sometimes they need help too. The principle here is to talk on an equal footing.

The members of the "psychosocial emergency care specialist group" help people in emergency situations. These include crises, disasters and "everyday hardship": when relatives die suddenly; when people lose everything after a fire; when suicides are threatened or people are in exceptional mental states.

The 19 women and men accompany these people in their individual "emergency situations". They stand by those affected in their exceptional personal situation and help them individually. "You, dear emergency services, are doing a lot of good in this emergency," emphasized the Lord Mayor.

This commitment is also extraordinary because it cannot be planned. The men and women do not know when they will be called by the fire department control center or how long their deployment will last. They act independently, planning their on-call duties and further training. The emergency services are a well-functioning team in which all members can rely on each other. A team in which everyone knows that the others are there for each other. This support is just as important as the private environment.

During a round of talks, the volunteers of the Fredenberg Forum and the "Psychosocial Emergency Care Specialist Group" presented their work for the people of Salzgitter with touching words and great commitment.