A ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the Society of Friends of Children took place on Friday, May 9, at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec. Among those attending were the deputy Bolesławiec district head Stanisław Chwojnicki, deputy chair of the District Council Jarosław Molenda, head of the Education, Culture, Physical Culture and Sport Department of the District Office Alicja Krzyszczak, head of the District Family Support Center Danuta Marecka, director of the District Center for Education and Staff Training Cezariusz Rudyk, deputy mayor of Bolesławiec Kornel Filipowicz, head of the Bolesławiec City Council Józef Pokładek and deputy chair of the City Council Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk, as well as Iwona Przybylska, secretary of Bolesławiec Municipality.
The ceremony was opened by Marek Łętowski, director of the Stanisław Wyspiański Youth Cultural Center in Bolesławiec. “In times that were particularly difficult for Polish society, especially during the interwar period and after World War II, the Society of Friends of Children organized and ran, among other things, orphanages, milk kitchens, rural mother-and-child care centers, preventive health facilities, sanatoriums, secular schools, boarding houses, community centers, as well as material assistance for children from the poorest families and activities aimed at raising the level of parents’ and society’s pedagogical culture. TPD undertook diverse and innovative forms of activity, creating preschool centers and family-based forms of care and education for orphaned children. It developed the concept of health camps for chronically ill and disabled children,” he said. “However, for those who had contact with TPD in Bolesławiec, the symbol of this organization is Jadzia Bobek. And I think she is more recognizable than the Society’s logo.
“Political conditions varied, but TPD’s purpose never changed: it was always to help children and families,” emphasized Jadwiga Bobek, head of the Society’s Bolesławiec branch, who has been associated with TPD for 25 years.
The organization’s head spoke about TPD’s activities in Bolesławiec: “In 2004, we took on a huge task: we accepted the proposal of the Food Bank’s president and began distributing food to the poorest residents of Bolesławiec County. These activities required financial support from all the municipalities. The authorities of all the towns and municipalities responded positively to our appeal. We had to learn logistics and the efficient distribution of food; this would not have been possible without the involvement of social assistance centers and a group of volunteers. Currently, more than 10,000 people benefit from this assistance.
As she noted, TPD also organizes summer holidays. “Entire generations of Bolesławiec children spent their holidays at our centers,” she said. “Since 2004, our camps have been integrative: both disabled and non-disabled children attend them. There are two overriding principles at these camps: the children must be safe and they must not be bored.
Jadwiga Bobek also mentioned that the organization helps people with disabilities. The Bolesławiec TPD includes the Parents of Children and Young People with Physical Disabilities Circle, which provides a support group for people facing similar problems. She also spoke about cooperation with, among others, Father Józef Hupa, parish priest of the Parish of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and with the Polish Red Cross.
The ceremony provided an opportunity to thank people supporting TPD’s activities. Special thanks went to: Lower Silesian Voivodeship Marshal Cezary Przybylski, Member of Parliament Zofia Czernow, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Education Joanna Berdzik, Agnieszka and Błażej Krasoniów from the Wrocław Food Bank, head of the Polska Miedź Foundation Cecylia Ewa Stankiewicz, acting director of the first WBK bank branch in Bolesławiec Ewelina Śledzińska-Kołodyńska, regional insurance sales manager Renata Szafraniec, president of the National Circle for Helping Children and Young People with Physical Disabilities Józef Bogdaszewski and president of Lower Silesian TPD Ryszard Wach.
Thanks were also extended to municipal and district officials, the heads of the county’s municipalities, directors of schools and educational institutions, sponsors and donors, organizations and journalists, as well as TPD activists. A minute of silence was observed in memory of those who had passed away.
That day, the TPD Main Board honored Jadwiga Bobek with its highest distinction, the “Friend of the Child” badge. The Society’s head received the prestigious award from Ryszard Wach and Józef Bogdaszewski. The “Friend of the Child” badge was also awarded to Dariusz Kunaszko, director of the Primary School in Kruszyn, camp leader, activist and TPD volunteer.
Moreover, representatives of Bank Zachodni WBK presented the Society with a symbolic check for nearly PLN 6,000. The money will be used for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities.
During the ceremony, hosted by Marek Łętowski, awards were also presented to the winners of the “My Dreams” drawing competition organized by the Bolesławiec Society of Friends of Children.
The “Mały Bolesławiec” Song and Dance Ensemble from the Youth Cultural Center enhanced the gala with its performances. The cake and refreshments were prepared by members of the Active Women’s Association from Lipiany (Bolesławiec Municipality).
(information: GA)