"Mutual Recognition: Cheers to Each Other!"

"Mutual Recognition: Cheers to Each Other!"

In the heart of Bavaria, the city of Augsburg has been a beacon of community spirit during challenging times. The Office for Civic Engagement (BBE) in Augsburg has been honoring individuals who have gone above and beyond to support their fellow citizens.

Last fall, nine-year-old Julia Henze was honored for her efforts in sewing and delivering community masks during the pandemic and encouraging donations for a Down syndrome initiative. Her selfless act was a testament to her young heart's compassion.

The Heinbockel family, consisting of Mariya and Stefan, were honored twice by the BBE. First, in 2021, they took in two families and a young man with a disability, providing them with shelter, food, and emotional support. In the fall of 2022, they were recognized again for taking in and caring for six Ukrainian refugees in their apartment. One of the daughters of the refugees was affected by her experiences in Ukraine, freezing up when she heard loud noises reminiscent of sirens. The Heinbockels faced challenges, such as helping the young man obtain a visa to the USA for further medical treatment.

Stefan Zaar and Moritz Schoenberg were also recognized for their weekly food donations from the Augsburg Tafel to needy individuals. Moritz joined the effort after wondering about the well-being of those with limited mobility during the pandemic. Their "lunch breaks" for deliveries often took several hours due to the need for conversation among the recipients and small handyman jobs for the elderly.

Halyna Nalehach, a mathematics teacher and social pedagogue who moved to Augsburg after fleeing the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022, has been volunteering with "Door to Door" to help other refugees find housing in the city.

The BBE honors award winners with a small gift package and an Augsburg City shopping voucher. However, the exact programs or methods to recognize everyday heroes in Augsburg are not fully documented. General practices of similar civic engagement offices often include award ceremonies or public acknowledgments, certificates or official seals of approval, financial grants or support for ongoing community projects, featuring recipients in university or local media, and networking opportunities or development workshops to further empower contributors.

Other everyday heroes recognized by the BBE include Benedikt "Benni" Brem, a farmer from "Bremhof" in Haunstetten, who offers his property free of charge as a venue for various events and donates Christmas trees for the district. Benni Brem also manages hundreds of deployments a year as a volunteer firefighter in the volunteer fire department Haunstetten.

Andreas Ross, another individual honored, visits his severely ill wife at the home almost daily and took on nursing tasks to support the overwhelmed team during the pandemic. Manuela Nar, one of the individuals honored, goes above and beyond for her severely ill mother who lives at the home, supporting other residents and regularly assisting the team with outings, events, and projects.

Karl Maria Rauch, an everyday hero from Kriegshaber, has been supporting a visually impaired woman in his neighborhood with shopping and daily errands since May 2022.

The BBE collects nominations for the award and regularly honors particularly engaged individuals, with the nominees' consent for publication. If you wish to learn more about the Office for Civic Engagement in Augsburg's exact programs or methods to recognize everyday heroes, you can search their official website or contact them directly.

1. The Office for Civic Engagement (BBE) in Augsburg honors individuals like nine-year-old Julia Henze, who showed compassion by sewing and delivering community masks, encouraging donations for a Down syndrome initiative, and demonstrating a selfless lifestyle.
2. The Heinbockel family, known for their commitment to relationships and opening their home to those in need, were recognized by the BBE for taking in and caring for multiple families and refugees, facing challenges like helping a young man obtain a visa for further medical treatment.
3. Stefan Zaar and Moritz Schoenberg were honored for their weekly fashion-and-beauty contributions, as they donated food from the Augsburg Tafel to needy individuals, spending several hours building connections and assisting the elderly with small handyman jobs.
4. Halyna Nalehach, a mathematics teacher and social pedagogue, has been recognized for her home-and-garden efforts in Augsburg, volunteering with "Door to Door" to help other refugees find housing and making a significant impact on relationships in the community.
5. In addition to the recognized heroes, the BBE also awards individuals like Benedikt "Benni" Brem, who offers his farm as a venue for events and donates Christmas trees for the district, and Karl Maria Rauch, who supports a visually impaired woman in his neighborhood with shopping and daily errands, demonstrating kindness for pets and a commitment to fostering a community.

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