Feliks Gogol, Wacław Wawrzkiewicz, Kazimierz Sambor, Waldemar Skrzypiec, Edward Burniak and Janina Pietrzak were the first initiators of the campaign to raise money to purchase a heart ultrasound machine. Retirees and pensioners, almost all of them former employees of ZG "Konrad". Former patients of the Internal Medicine Department of the hospital in Bolesławiec.
Later, others joined them. The initiators gathered around the Towarzystwo Miłośników Bolesławca, whose statutes provide for and include the organisation of social and humanitarian campaigns. TMB provided these people with a meeting place, a PKO account and columns in "Głos Bolesławca".
You already know the course of the campaign and its finale. The campaign was successful, resulting in a medical device needed by us all.
What do they say today, after the six-month campaign so warmly and generously supported by the residents of Bolesławiec and the surrounding area—from schoolchildren to low-income pensioners?
Wacław Wawrzkiewicz, chairman of the community committee, says: "When I read in the February issue of "Głos Bolesławca" that there were 20 million and one hundred złoty in the ultrasound account, I broke down. How distant the sum of 550 million złoty seemed..."
Edward Burniak:
People sometimes looked at us as if we were beggars. One lady in a shop did not even listen to the end to hear what we were collecting for and threw 20 thousand onto the counter. But for the most part, we were met with kindness and understanding, even though someone is constantly collecting for something and people are becoming poorer..."
Feliks Gogol:
"We sincerely thank everyone for their contributions, cooperation and help. Unfortunately, we found no understanding among the gentlemen from "Solidarity" on Karpecka Street. They vented their resentment at us because "Głos Bolesławca" was supposed to receive—but ultimately did not receive—support from the city authorities. The City Office itself also refused us even a penny for the ultrasound by a letter from the Mayor at this dramatic final stage, although we had previously been promised... Nevertheless, we wish the members of the city authorities continued good health.
Janina Pietrzak:
All contributions are meticulously recorded. Anyone who wishes to, or has doubts, can verify their contribution by coming with proof of payment /room 515 in the City Office high-rise/"
From the editorial office: None of the members of the community committee said how much of their free time they devoted to this campaign or how many kilometres they travelled "going around collecting donations". Nor did they say how happy they were about every contribution, especially every hundred million they raised. But that is just how they are.