Dear Santa, fulfill my heart’s desire…

Christmas – this means getting together with your family, dusting off musical instruments for a Christmas carol, calling a friend you haven’t heard from for a long time, opening that bottle of wine that was waiting for a special occasion… you’ll surely think of lots more, too.
After all the hustle and bustle of the time leading up to Christmas, it’s good to pause for a moment and enjoy everything you agonized and got sore feet over. We’re sitting at a beautifully set table, gifts are being exchanged – we’re doing well.

It’s true – this isn’t the case everywhere. It’s good that there are innumerable opportunities to get involved or, by donating money, to contribute so that people who aren’t doing as well can get a bit of Christmas joy.

Christmastime is charity time

As a highlight this year as well, the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting) will collect donations for its Licht ins Dunkel (Light in Darkness) campaign, which is surely the most popular charity drive. But have you heard about “Weihnachten im Schuhkarton” (Christmas in a Shoebox), in which you can compile little packages that are then distributed to children throughout the poorer countries in Europe? Or you can try a Charity Punch Rally through Christmassy Vienna – most of the punch stands outside of those directly at the Christmas markets have a good cause in the background.

Many companies in recent times have switched over to donating to an aid organization in place of sending Christmas cards or buying expensive gifts. Hopefully more companies will follow suit.

Fulfill hearts’ desires

We as Schick Hotels Wien have implemented this idea for over ten years already and donate time and again to all sorts of organizations. Especially dear to our hearts is the Stiftung Kindertraum (Children’s Dream Foundation). Over the course of this year, we have made stays in one of our hotels available on an as-needed basis and have accommodated children with their parents and siblings.

And during Christmastime, a tradition we have come to love is holding off on sending Christmas cards and instead – in the names of all guests, customers and Schick Hotels staff – fulfilling the heart’s desire of a very special child. This year, we were able to make animal-supported therapy with farm animals possible for the 16-year-old Manuel from Vienna. The closeness to the animals supports Manuel considerably in his development.

For me, this call to the Stiftung Kindertraum is one of the most beautiful moments of the year: “Hello, this is the Schick Hotels. We’d like to fulfill a heart’s desire!”

Stiftung Kindertraum

The Stiftung Kindertraum has made it its goal to fulfill the hearts’ desires of critically ill children and children with special needs in Austria. It helps wherever financial and organizational possibilities are not sufficient and seeks to improve the quality of life for the affected families decisively and sustainably.

In this spirit, we wish you
a reflective Christmas and
much happiness, health and success in 2014!