More than 5,000 socially-vulnerable children received Christmas gifts from the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău

During Lent, the Social-Philanthropic and Missionary Sector of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău ran the program “Do you want to be good for Christmas?” – the fourth edition which brought joy to over 5,000 children at risk of social exclusion.

All these gifts and surprises were possible through the involvement of all deaneries, eparchial NGOs and Religion teachers, who responded to Archbishop Ioachim’s initiative, according to the eparchial website.

4,606 of the 5,479 gifts were offered by deaneries (Bacău – 3,289, Moinești – 507, Onești – 500, Roman – 160, Sascut – 150) and 873 gifts were offered by 8 eparchial NGOs. The gifts amounted to a total value of approximately 300,000 Lei (60,000 Euros).

Roman Deanery also collected hygiene products, clothing for newborns and money to help mothers in difficulty. The gifts were donated to the Roman Municipal Emergency Hospital on December 20, 2023.

Around 10,000 packages of sweets, worth about 200,000 Lei (40,000 Euros) were offered during the Christmas celebrations to just as many children from the 150 parishes in the Bacău Deanery.

Also, more than 350 pairs of boots were given to children and young people from the social centres in Onești and Tg. Ocna, through a project of the Onești Deanery, which was entitled “Be a Little St Nicholas!”. In addition, more than 1,500 parcels were given in parishes, worth over 30,000 Lei (6,000 Euros).

The 2,400 Christmas parcels from Moinești Deanery had a total cost of approximately 48,000 Lei (9.600 Euros), while the Deanery of Sascut offered to 300 children gifts in value of 6,000 Lei (1,200 Euros).

The children from disadvantaged families were identified with the help of parish priests or representatives of diocesan NGOs. The children wrote letters or drew the objects they wanted to receive for Christmas and wrote their name, age and town on the back of their letters or drawings.

Some of the gifts were offered by children or families identified within the communities as being able and willing to offer small gifts to other children in need.

Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău