Christmas Wishes Fulfilled by Maltese Charity Service

More than 1,600 disadvantaged children living in the poorest small settlements in Hungary had their personal wishes collected during the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service's campaign, with private donors and companies helping by purchasing specific gifts from a list.

According to a statement sent to MTI on Tuesday, the charity announced its fifth annual 'Be a Star!' campaign, which was announced for the fifth time in early November and ran until December 15, the charity's staff collected children's Christmas wishes during regular community programs in the poorest villages in Hungary.

As they wrote, supporters made the children's wishes come true by purchasing the gifts on the list, and thanks to them, the charity organization fulfilled 1,650 requests this year. Nearly 200 private donors joined the campaign, along with several companies, sports clubs, social institutions, and educational institutions. Some individuals took it upon themselves to buy a gift for a child, while others decided as a family or group of friends to make Christmas brighter for a community.

According to the announcement, the gifts — including soccer balls, dolls, fishing equipment, remote-control cars and craft kits — will reach every child before Christmas. Delivery began last week, typically to Presence Points operating in disadvantaged communities. Staff working in the villages are organizing celebrations in several places, while in others they are delivering the gifts to families in person, they wrote.