If the joy could be sliced, every empathetic metallurgist who joined the Tree of Wishes project would get a handful of it. Yesterday, December 18, we had a blessed experience in the St. Klement Hofbauer Children's Home in Podolínec and in the Center for Children and Families on Uralská Street in Košice. But could it have been otherwise? More than one hundred and twenty boys and girls received a portion of fulfilled Christmas wishes. From the Košice steelmakers.
The people of Podolínec have traditionally prepared well for the visit from the partner company. The guests, the wives of the vice-presidents Mária Kiraľvargová, Viera Novosadová, the manager of the Tree of Wishes project Slávka Tvrdoňová and the director for External Relations Ján Bača, were welcomed as they should be in this pre-holiday time. With carols, songs, poems and vinšovačka. And they did it really brilliantly. They prepared a truly artistic experience for the audience, which also included their educators, foster parents and professional parents. After all, they also earned a big applause for the band, which they performed with the musical accompaniment of Monika Kaletová and the joint singing of Silent Night.
And then, after a moment of tension, a merry-go-round of unrelenting and truly sincere pleasure literally spun, which could be seen on every child's face. The time has come to hand over and unwrap gifts...
Sára , who captivated everyone in the prepared cultural program with her beautiful voice, confirming her indisputable singing talent, showed us her new "empéšfour". "I'm really looking forward to it, that's exactly what I wanted," she blurted out. The broadly smiling Majo showed everyone his new headphones and Sárka, who will be a first-grader next year, did not want to let go of her school bag for the world. And when her aunt, the governess, put her on her back, she showed off even more. "I'll carry a reading book in it, notebooks, and I'll even have a snack in it," she announced to everyone around. Janko struggled with roller skates. No and not to put them on well. But he didn't give up. A moment later, of course, with the help of one of the aunts, he was already standing on them and moved forward uncertainly. "Don't worry, I know that. I've already tried it four times. I love skating," he revealed seriously with an almost adult expression on his face. The slim Melanka has already hidden her wireless karaoke microphone, but for that she has performed exercises worthy of an experienced gymnast. Cord, flip and bridge. "I really enjoy exercising, I go to a club, where we also dance," she let us know inquisitively. Seventeen-year-old Miňo was obviously satisfied with the brand's set of power tools and drill, and the director of the home, Štefan Straka, admired her along with him. Well, he chose a very practical gift. It seems that he will follow in the footsteps of his brother Jakub, who is an electrician in Vagónka. The electrical engineering school, where he is studying, is also the right one for him, according to educator Ed. Everything indicates that even Kiko did not have to think long when writing his wish on the wish card. He bet on a professional hair clipper. No wonder. After all, thanks to his skillful hands and original haircuts, he has already scored with many local boys, who today boast modern hairstyles. "I want to become a barber. This machine is one of the best, it is top-notch. I'm glad I have it, my old one broke down," said the clever young man, who, as we learned, is also a good football player...
"Be healthy and happy, always love us as much as we love you," the children from Podolínec said to the Košice steelmakers on our departure and wished them a lot of success and nice moments in the new year.
A beautiful Christmas tree, under it more than seventy secrets and a hall echoing with children's chatter filled to the last seat. The pre-Christmas atmosphere greeted guests from the Košice steelworks a little later at the Center for Children and Families on Uralská Street in Košice.
Of course, here, as in Podolínec, children from professional families or independent groups of Sunflowers, Storks, Forget-me-nots, Sokols, or Ladybugs prepared a cultural program for their donors. They played guitar strings, sang, recited, and sang back. And after the well-deserved applause, everyone was already impatiently looking under the tree at the pile of gifts. Which one is theirs? Well, there were really a lot of them. They ran away for everyone. And exactly the ones they dreamed of.
It was impossible to overlook the sparkles in Ivanka's eyes when she boasted about her cotton leisure set. "Isn't she 'great'? There is! Right? I like it very much," she showed off from the front and back. Restless Majko couldn't start his portable game console for the world. He pressed one button after another, tried to insert the cables... And nothing! Until Jozef helped him, who had already tried his own. They were not the only ones who were enchanted by this game. Eyed siblings Števko and Jožko were literally thrilled with it. "Wow... This is my most beautiful Christmas! Juuuj," shouted Števko with sincere joy, which is not easily seen when he unwrapped his gift in front of us. Danielko tried on snow boots. And it must be said that they fit him like a glove. "Of course," he assured himself, expecting an affirmative answer. Simonko waited patiently until Aunt Vierka helped him unwrap his large and heavy gift. And it was there! His scooter, which he wished for so much. All he had to do was take it off and he immediately jumped at her. But he didn't want to get off it at all. The girls Jožka and Štefánia tried to figure out a system for charging smartwatches, which, as they revealed, they liked very much. They got to the root of things, clever people, very quickly...
Who knows when the children on Uralskaya fell asleep yesterday from excitement and joy. When we said goodbye to wishing us a merry Christmas and all the best in the new year, the hosts also packed a thank you letter for us. From the director of the center, Jana Funderáková, addressed to the U. S. Steel Košice Foundation, for long-term financial support of children, help in meeting their needs, desires and wishes. "Thank you for never forgetting us."
