The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation, which is the most popular and trusted charitable organization in Poland, gears up to hold its annual fundraiser known as the Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation this Sunday.
This year, the charity's volunteers will be fundraising across Poland and in 100 locations abroad: New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Russia, across Europe, the US, and Mexico. The main telethon studio and fundraising town and stage are located in strict Warsaw city centre - on Bankowy Square and Teatralny Square.
This year marks the 28th edition of the annual charitable drive. The funds, which are raised during a massive public collection and through various online donation systems and online auctions, will be used to buy medical equipment for paediatric surgery and treatment. The equipment will be donated to public hospitals across the country. Throughout the years, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity raised over PLN 1 100 000 000 (over EUR 250 000 000) and donated over 62 000 pieces of medical equipment to hospitals nationwide. It is worth noting that ahead of the public collection kick-off early morning Sunday, the charity has already raised PLN 1 008 9301.
Grand Finale telethon studio. Photos by Darek Breś.
This year's fundraiser comes a year after Mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz, was attacked while on stage for the local edition of the Grand Finale. Following the Mayor's death, Jurek Owsiak - one of the most influential social activists and public figures in Poland, stepped down as chairman of the Foundation. An unprecedented outpouring of public support followed suit, and Owsiak, who does not shy from making political statements, returned to the helm of this biggest charitable organization in Poland.
The upcoming fundraiser is proof that in a country, which is currently more divided than ever, people still engage in a vibrant and positive movement powered by music and joy, which is brought by helping others.
