Global Volunteer Day DHL employees organize clothing for the needy
Bonn · DHL employees launched an initiative to provide clothing at no cost to the needy and homeless. The volunteer action was appreciated.
From office workers to angels in yellow: DHL employees opened the doors on Tuesday to “The Street Store” outside Caritas on Thomasstraße. It’s a kind of flea market where people who are homeless or have a low income can come and pick up clothing at no cost. The initiative was in connection with the annual “Global Volunteer Day,” when DHL calls upon its employees to volunteer their time to help others.
With a smile, Alois Kuhn holds up a pair of corduroy pants and an almost new looking pair of jeans. “Fits,” he says happily as he puts them in a visibly worn burlap bag. The 65-year-old lived on the streets for a long time. He has only recently started drawing a small pension, and is happy to receive the help. “I used to work as a locksmith at the heat and power station up on Venusberg,” said Kuhn, “but then I got sick, lost my job and couldn’t pay my rent anymore and I was thrown out of my apartment.” He was homeless for five years until Caritas helped him find an apartment. “Now I’m doing good,” he says. “Still, I have very little money so I find the idea of the DHL workers to be a really good one. It’s really a help,” he adds.
Clothes for the cold season
Viktor Komm and Heiner Lohmeier from Filial management at DHL came up with the idea. “We called for clothing donations in the firm and collected them at the Post Tower,” explained Komm. “Altogether we got around 1,000 items of clothing and we brought them in a truck to the Street Store.”
People who come to the Street Store are allowed to take three items of clothing. “But we don’t say no to a fourth item,” says Komm. “From pants, shirts to undergarments and winter jackets, there is everything.” Komm and Lohmeier say they planned the initiative for September because that’s when the homeless need to equip themselves for winter. When the event ends, all clothing left over will be given to the Caritas second hand clothing store. Rewe was also a partner in the event, providing 500 euros in food donations.
(Orig. text: Dennis Sennekamp)
