It was an exceptionally cold winter morning. All I wanted was to crawl into a warm “bed” and sleep. Sleep until evening. But there was no chance of that. January 5 was an exceptionally hot day for most Poles. It was on that day that the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity set off to the rhythm of its fifth Finale! As in the first Finale, the proceeds from this year’s campaign were intended to help children with heart disease.
As usual, our headquarters found shelter and support at the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre. From the earliest Sunday hours, dozens of volunteers bustled cheerfully around the foyer of the “Forum” cinema. Everyone wanted their station to do as well as possible and, consequently, bring in as much money as possible. Because in our town, alongside the collection, there is a tradition of raising money. There were plenty of ideas for doing so. Two lotteries, a café, computer games, recreational activities, a blood-pressure measurement station and singing telegrams. Even the most demanding guest could choose something interesting for themselves. To make the passing time more colourful and joyful, something was constantly happening on the small stage. There were “Nativity Plays”, mini-concerts—instrumental and vocal—a first-aid demonstration, a small rock “Show” and beautiful, atmospheric ballads, especially those performed by a certain charming student. During breaks between successive performers, Ms Jana Trawniczek used her warm voice to “bark” out the items put up for auction one after another. And there was quite a lot of it: posters, balloons, jewellery and even one lovely doll...
While we were working, the Travel and Entertainment Agency “PERFECT”, together with MOSiR, organised a series of attractions on the snow-covered grounds in the frosty air at the BOK building, with the proceeds going to the WOŚP account. A pair of horses and a sleigh... ice skates... competitions... attracted many people, and the proceeds from the events also went to the Orchestra’s account.
Our activities were closely followed by the local media throughout. A great deal of credit goes to the local television station, which provided ongoing reports from the city’s Finale. It was a new experience for us, because every now and then someone would come in and say: “You know, I saw you on television,” or “I saw you and came over”...
While we were working up a sweat raising the next millions, urgent cash counting was taking place upstairs in a small workshop, led by Agnieszka Piasecka, who had come from Wrocław, where she studies. She came to be with us and help us—and praise be to her for that—and we were delighted that she was there and helped.
The “Light to Heaven” surprised us at 8 p.m. Crowds poured out in front of the “Forum” to watch the fireworks display, and in this way the 5th Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity came to an end.
Our headquarters collected approximately 165,000,000 in total (old millions)!!! And everything would have been fine if it were not for the fact that interest in WOŚP is declining. Fewer and fewer sponsors want to support us, and fewer and fewer young people are interested in us... what a pity, because it is one of the very important campaigns... and one that is very much needed... Nevertheless, I remain very optimistic that next year will be better... Siema!!!