The Cross of Merit was presented by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Mayor Frank Klingebiel had the honor of presenting this outstanding award to Volker Machura. On this occasion, Klingebiel emphasized: “The ‘Wir helfen Kindern’ association is a true volunteer flagship project in our city and our region. Thanks to the work of the association’s active members, approximately 2.35 million euros in donations have been distributed to children in need to date. The face of the association is Volker Machura, who has been extremely active in fundraising for the past 26 years. For him, it has become a labor of love and a life’s mission to help children by providing school backpacks, sports and play equipment, practice areas for beginner cyclists, gear for children’s fire departments, and much more—and to bring them joy. “The Federal Cross of Merit is an outstanding honor and recognition that is awarded to exactly the right kind of person in our urban community.”

Volker Machura says of himself that the driving force behind his commitment is the sight of children’s eyes filled with joy. “Wir helfen Kinder” began as an idea from Volker Machura and a few colleagues for a prediction game. Back in 2000, the proceeds from the game went to the Association for Children with Cancer at the MHH in Hanover. Today, the donations collected benefit children with cancer, children with disabilities, and those who are grieving. In the past six months alone, over 230,000 euros in donations were distributed. One of the association’s current projects is the installation of two “inclusive” swings at the pirate playground on Salzgittersee and at Katzenwiesenring in Salzgitter-Bad, which together cost around 14,000 euros.

The mayor used the presentation of the Federal Cross of Merit as an opportunity to express his gratitude: “Volker Machura and many active members of the association ‘Wir helfen Kindern e. V.’ are doing wonderful work for our children. On behalf of the city of Salzgitter and on my own behalf, I would like to thank Volker Machura and his team for their outstanding volunteer work.”