The tenth anniversary edition of the initiative “Christmas Tree of Goodness” was opened in the building of the Regional Administration in Burgas. The beginning was given with a festive Christmas concert of goodness. Children from Burgas schools and creative schools performed on stage. This year, the charitable campaign is held with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseniy, and with the support of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Deinstitutionalization and Burgas Municipality.
“The Christmas Tree of Goodness is an example of continuity, a tradition started a decade ago and preserved by everyone who has led the institution. This year we decided to share it with the children because they understand the meaning of goodness most purely,” said Regional Governor Vladimir Krumov. He specified that the gifts this year are intended for children at risk from the whole region. 200 families of children at risk will be supported, who will receive Christmas gifts. They will be collected until December 18 under the Christmas tree in the building of the regional administration.
The Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseniy, calls for mercy: “The Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be involved with every suffering brother of ours, and even more with the smallest. If you give a cup of water to the smallest, you have given it to the Lord Himself. How much more when our smallest suffering children need love, our heartfelt gift, support and prayer, we do it in God's name,” said the Metropolitan. He stressed that charity is a duty of every Christian and continued with the words: “Apostle Paul calls us - do not forget charity and generosity, because such sacrifices are pleasing to God”. The Metropolitan congratulated the Regional Governor, to whom he addressed the words “fellow thinker in goodness” and “worthy Bulgarian, co-worker of the church”. The bishop highlighted the important role of cooperation between the state and local authorities and the church in common social efforts.
During the opening, mayors of municipalities in the region, directors of state institutions, non-governmental organizations and citizens left the first gifts under the Christmas tree of goodness. This year, the campaign also supports the charitable initiative for young Nasko from Burgas, who is fighting a serious illness. A donation box has been placed in the administration building. Donations for “Christmas Tree of Goodness” – new clothes, shoes, toys, sweets, baby consumables and food – are accepted until December 18, every working day from 9:00 to 17:00, specified the regional administration in Burgas.