Last December, through our Christmas Give 2024 initiative, Pwrteams supported nine inspiring charities across Bulgaria, Poland and Ukraine. In this edition of "The power of giving" series, we’re highlighting one of those organisations: Stowarzyszenie mali bracia Ubogich (“Association of the Little Brothers of the Poor”) – a Polish NGO dedicated to supporting elderly people who face isolation and loneliness.
Their mission is simple but deeply meaningful: to bring companionship, care and a sense of belonging to older people who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. One of their most heartfelt initiatives, Podaruj Wigilię ("Give Christmas Eve"), creates space for seniors to share a festive meal, connect with others and feel remembered at a time that can be especially difficult.
To learn more about how this initiative came to life and the difference it’s making, we spoke with Bernadetta Kędra, Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships Specialist at the organisation. She shared how support from partners like Pwrteams helped bring moments of warmth, joy and connection to more than 800 seniors across 13 cities last Christmas in Poland.
Could you share the story behind the „Podaruj Wigilię” initiative? What inspired it?
Nearly 80 years ago, the founder of Stowarzyszenie mali bracia Ubogich, Armand Marquiset, brought together hundreds of lonely elderly and poor residents of Paris around shared tables. What he was able to give them and what remains most important today, was a sense of community and closeness with another person.
Inspired by his legacy, we’ve been organising similar gatherings in Poland since the very beginning of our work in the country.
At first, there were only a few of us and just a handful of people around the table. Today, we bring together hundreds of elderly people across several cities in Poland, offering them holidays filled with warmth, care and human connection.
Beyond Christmas, how does Stowarzyszenie mali bracia Ubogich support elderly people throughout the year?
We provide ongoing support and companionship to elderly people who often have no remaining family or close friends. Our flagship programme, Obecność (“Presence”), helps seniors regain a sense of self-worth and belonging. Through regular visits from our volunteers, older people experience the joy of conversation, shared time and the comfort of knowing that someone truly cares about them.
The programme also includes one-day summer outings, Easter and Christmas events (like the one supported by Pwrteams).
Since 2012, we’ve also run a dedicated helpline for seniors, offering psychological support and practical advice to those in need.
Could you share a memorable story from one of your Christmas gatherings that really captures the spirit of the initiative?
At one of our Christmas gatherings, 80-year-old Ms. Leokadia stood up and said: “Thanks to you, I’m alive. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” (you can see it for yourself in our recap video here). She then invited everyone to call her by her first name, Lodzia, just like her loved ones used to.
At another table, two elderly women met for the first time. One was 90, the other one 99. They were delighted to discover they both shared the same name, Irenka, and even celebrated their name day on the same date!
Then there’s the 81-year-old Ms. Anna, who overcame a serious illness the previous year. She told us: “This beautiful Christmas gathering was a special opportunity to celebrate and feel joy again, together with my volunteer.”
How can individuals or companies get involved in supporting your mission or volunteering for upcoming events?
There are several ways to help. Individuals and companies can donate to support our year-round Obecność (“Presence”) programme or specific campaigns like Wakacje jednego dnia (“One-day holidays”) or Podaruj Wigilię (“Give Christmas Eve”).
Companies can also engage their employees by organising office fundraisers, such as charity bake sales, auctions or online collections via platforms like siepomaga.pl.
Another powerful form of support is payroll giving, where employees voluntarily donate a small amount from their salary each month. Companies can match these donations to further encourage participation.
Businesses can also involve their clients and customers by donating a percentage of the revenue from selected products or services, adding donation options at checkout or offering charity vouchers. If a company has a loyalty programme, customers could be encouraged to donate their points to support lonely seniors.
Communications support is just as important. Companies can help raise awareness of our mission by sharing our content on their social media, website or in internal/external newsletters. We’re also open to co-creating social or marketing campaigns to amplify our reach and impact.
How did the support from Pwrteams, as part of the company’s 2024 Christmas Give initiative, contribute to your efforts?
Thanks to generous support from donors like Pwrteams, we were able to organise Christmas gatherings for over 800 seniors across 13 Polish cities. These are truly special events that our seniors look forward to all year.
We are incredibly grateful to Pwrteams for helping us bring joy, hope and a sense of belonging to elderly people who often feel forgotten. Together, we’ve shown them they are not alone. To get a better sense of it, check out our 2024 Podaruj Wigilię recap.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and plans for the future of Podaruj Wigilię and your work with the elderly in Poland?
Over the years, we’ve seen how much these holiday gatherings mean to lonely older people – for many, they are the dream Christmas they never thought they’d have. That’s why we’re committed to continuing this initiative and welcoming even more seniors to our tables each year.
A unique aspect of this programme is our effort to include seniors who rarely, or never, leave their homes – often due to disability. We arrange specialist medical transport and provide medical support during the events to ensure they can take part safely.
Our mission is to fight loneliness among seniors and reach even more people who are affected by it. We will continue promoting relationship-based volunteering, organising awareness campaigns and creating opportunities for intergenerational connection.
Committed to making a difference
At Pwrteams, giving back isn’t just something we do during the holiday season – it’s a fundamental part of our values. Supporting organisations like the Stowarzyszenie mali bracia Ubogich helps us contribute to meaningful change in the communities where we live and work.
We are proud to stand by our employees and partners in making a real difference. Want to learn more about how we give back? Read about the initiatives we're supporting and how we're making a difference.
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