The charity initiative "Koleda za Baba" (“Christmas for Grandma”) was launched three years ago and it keeps gaining more and more attention and inspiring hundreds of Bulgarian children who want to give some joy and warmth to the elderly people. The organizers collect Christmas cards made by children and send them to homes for the elderly across the country.

"When children put their heart in making the cards, this is enough to warm the souls of people in care centers. We are sure that children are looking forward to the campaign, in order to show their creativity and to provide the elderly with strength and hope," the organizers say. This year, the cards will be collected in the stores of the largest retail network for alternative lifestyle in the country with a deadline of December 21, 2022.

The initiator of the campaign is a Bulgarian woman who has been living in Chicago for 13 years. Kristina Derelieva says that the idea was born during the pandemic. "The elderly people in nursing homes couldn't even be visited by their relatives, so I decided to bring them some joy and festive spirit by involving children in the initiative, as they were also in isolation at the time." Thanks to the social networks and the help of friends, volunteers, children, teachers and parents, the initiative grew into a cause and reached lonely elderly people all across Bulgaria.

“Last year we sent nearly 3,000 cards and at the same time we raised money in a Facebook group here in the US. We were able to buy Christmas dinners with big discounts for seniors thanks to several restaurants that joined the initiative.We provided 800 dinners for the people in nursing homes," Kristina says. She has called on Bulgarian restaurants to join the cause this year, as well. “For example, they can choose a small home with 20-30 people, and prepare Christmas dinner for them,” she says.

So far, several restaurants from Sofia and Varna have joined the campaign, as well as workers from a factory in Burgas, who are actively collecting funds for the Christmas dinner of elderly people from a local home.

"The interest is huge! The children and their teachers are the most active participants,” Kristina Derelieva says. “We have already received about 1,000 cards and their number is constantly growing. The first thing I did when I woke up today was to open the messenger of our Facebook group and see the photos of children creating cards for the elderly. But this is not just about the cards, it's not just about Christmas energy and warmth, it's the attitude we should get as we get older. These children are the future of Bulgaria and if we educate them to be kind and compassionate, to think about the elderly and our compatriots in a disadvantaged position, to create, they will grow up to be responsible and caring people. We have whole classes and schools that create Christmas cards for the elderly for the third year in a row. Something like a tradition is already being born and this can only make us happy," Kristina says and adds: "I am Bulgarian, but I chose to live here, in Chicago. I love my country because of its unique people! Bulgarians are always ready for a good cause like this. When I see our children, I know that this country has future. We just need to work with them,” Kristina Derelieva says in conclusion.

Learn more about other Christmas initiatives of Bulgarians abroad:

• The first Bulgarian Christmas market in Vienna promotes social causes

• Bulgarian Christmas tree shines again in Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

• Bulgarian children in Brazil welcome Christmas ‎with an entertaining workshop