Participatory activities Volonteering
“Well, I think that without the many volunteers our society would experience much less cohesion and solidarity. Many non-profit organizations could not exist and I believe that important tasks in the social sector, in sport, in culture or even in environmental protection could not be accomplished. That’s why we should always be aware of the valuable work that volunteers do and express our thanks and recognition to them.”
Ralph Tiesler, President of the BBK
So that we can show our appreciation to the volunteers with our campaign, we invite you to show your volunteer commitment in various participation activities. Whether in pictures, videos or as a voice message. We always receive impressive contributions.
You can find the winners of the last participation campaigns here.
My volunteer moment – My voice message
In response to our call, touching, exciting voice messages full of energy were sent. They impressively show how diverse volunteer work is. One thing becomes particularly clear: the speakers’ desire to help other people in emergency situations and to feel the cohesion in a team that you can always rely on.
The top four winners will each have their own, professionally produced episode for the podcast Freiwillig Busy im Tonstudio freuen und reisen hierfür in die Bundeshauptstadt Berlin. Außerdem bekommen sie ein Feature auf den Kanälen des BBK. On top wird der oder die Erstplatzierte in den Podcast Retterview invited.
Congratulations to the winners!
Mirjam from Berlin, DLRG
Mirjam talks about one of her most beautiful moments during her work as a swimming coach: Her former student came to her and wanted to teach others to swim too.
She talks more about it here.
Charlotte and Pia from Hannover, Malteser Hilfsdienst
Charlotte and Pia report on their experiences during the flood in the Ahr Valley – and how a unicorn promoted the solidarity of those helping.
Peter from Münster, FF
Peter shares with us his most formative moment during a firefighting operation, which he always talks about when he talks about his volunteer work and its importance.
Tobias from Celle, Technisches Hilfswerk
Tobias takes us on his moving mission in Africa, where he repaired an X-ray machine in an Ebola ward.
Here you can listen to the voice messages, download them or read the transcript (in German):
Mirjam:
Voice message
Download voice message.
Download transcript.
Charlotte und Pia:
Voice messag
Download voice message.
Download transcript
Peter:
Voice messag
Download voice message.
Download transcript
Tobias:
Voice messag
Download voice message.
Download transcript.
WITH YOUR PHOTO FOR ALL OF US – THE FOCUS ON VOLUNTEERING
We received many impressive and touching photos, all of which illustrate the diversity and importance of volunteering in civil protection and disaster control. We would like to thank all participants for their submissions to the photo competition “With your photo for all of us – Focus on volunteering”.
After the jury’s review and community voting, the four winning photos were chosen: We warmly congratulate Ralf Kosse, Laura Holder, Sebastian Ohneseit and Maximilian Gießelmann for the most votes.
Ralf Kosse from Gronau:
You can see our helper Melissa and her daughter Rieke. Melissa is a volunteer in our local branch, her husband Torsten is our platoon leader. The photo was taken as part of a photo shoot for Mother’s Day, Rieke was there and was allowed to try on the THW uniform. The THW is something for the whole family!
Ralf in an interview
Laura Holder aus Wiesenfeld/Karlstadt
When I saw that the topic was “Volunteering in civil defense and civil protection”, I immediately had to think that it doesn’t matter what age group, origin or appearance someone has – because you can always do something good as a volunteer. As you can see here in the picture, the water rescue service accompanies everyone: from young to old. The picture is intended to show that anyone can do voluntary work with joy and fun.
Laura in an interview
Sebastian Ohneseit – Karlsruhe
The picture I’m submitting was taken while training my ASB rescue dog squadron in Karlsruhe, a time-consuming, fulfilling and wonderful voluntary work in civil protection. It shows a rescue dog finding a missing person from the perspective of the fictional missing person. My Australian Shepherd, named Paul, who is a certified rescue dog, announces the discovery of the person by barking joyfully. I immediately radio the position and call for assistance. My search group helpers arrive shortly after me, equipped with GPS devices and emergency equipment. One of my search group assistants in the picture is from the Malteser rescue dog team, because we cooperate very closely and always train together in area searches. We also support each other in the field and live cross-organizational cooperation.
Sebastian in an interview
Maximilian Gießelmann aus Gertesried
Stream rescuer during an exercise in the Isar.
Max in an interview