Civic engagement: Seven associations win image video
Last autumn, the Coordination Centre for Civic Engagement in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, which is affiliated with the Village and Regional Development Department, launched a competition for volunteers. Associations could apply with special activities and win an image video for their own public relations work. The response was great, so it was not easy for the jury to choose several winners from the numerous applications of equal quality. District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst did not miss the opportunity to personally present the prizes to five of the seven voluntary groups that were nominated as winners.
The district administrator's congratulations for "exemplary social commitment in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg", according to the text of the certificate, went to the five associations that once again stood out a little above the other applicants with their extraordinary commitment, namely: Aktion für behinderte Menschen Waldeck-Frankenberg e.V.. with its Inclusive Hiking Day, the Förderverein der Dorfgemeinschaft Röddenau e.V. with its "R11 Dorfcafé/ Dorfkneipe" campaign, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Korbach e.V. (Korbach Volunteer Fire Brigade) for its "Vom Stubenhocker zum Teamplayer" (From couch potato to team player), Pro Mater Sano e.V. with its help for mothers with cancer who have a baby or small child, and the Sportcoach-Team Diemelstadt for its moving scavenger hunt rally through Diemelstadt.
As if that were not enough, District Administrator van der Horst also awarded special prizes to two associations that have raised their activities to a digital level during the difficult Corona times in order to still reach people during the contact restrictions and de facto cessation of association operations. The mixed choir "Knapp Daneben" Korbach e. V. received the special prize for its musical devotions with a recorded virtual choir - supported by only a handful of live singers - in senior citizens' facilities during the lockdown at the end of 2020. The second winner of the special prize is SV 1923 Rennertehausen e.V. with its club app.
The district administrator praised the award winners, but also all other voluntary associations, institutions and other groups for their commitment to the common good. "Especially in our rural area, voluntary, unpaid work, the honorary office, has a high value," he emphasised - this was also shown by the numerous applications for the competition. And one thing should not be forgotten: Without voluntary commitment, many important areas would not function at all, starting with the so-called non-police danger prevention through the voluntary fire brigades to health promotion through sport with its exercise instructors or free offers for prevention. Volunteerism can therefore be seen as the glue that holds society together - especially in a rural region like Waldeck-Frankenberg.