Volunteering honored: 170 citizens receive Bavarian volunteer cards!

Volunteering honored: 170 citizens receive Bavarian volunteer cards!

A festive setting was recently created at the Oberalteich Cultural Forum to show grateful recognition for the many committed citizens in the Straubing-Bogen district. On Wednesday, District Administrator Josef Laumer presented more than 170 volunteer cards, including 31 gold and 144 blue cards, to deserving volunteers. Since the Bavarian Volunteer Card was introduced in 2012, a total of 7,297 cards have been issued in the region. This shows how highly voluntary commitment is valued here in the district. Regio Aktuell reported.

Laumer particularly emphasized the importance of volunteering. “We can always count on volunteers, be it in the sports and shooting clubs, in the traditional costume and horticultural clubs, in the rural women, in the women’s association or in the various aid organizations such as the fire department, BRK and mountain rescue service,” says Laumer. These people take on responsibility in their free time and thereby enrich social life in the district.

The volunteer cards in detail

The Bavarian Volunteer Card is a sign of appreciation and offers numerous advantages. One of the most attractive features is the opportunity to receive discounts at over 68 partners in the district, including libraries, pools and the adult education center. “The volunteer card is not only a symbolic award, but also a real help for the volunteers,” added Laumer. State parliament member Tobias Beck also thanked those present and referred to their contribution to the quality of life in the district.

Since the summer of 2023, the volunteer card has also been available digitally, which 720 volunteers are already using. To obtain the blue volunteer card, which is valid for three years, you must volunteer at least five hours per week for two years. In contrast, the golden volunteer card is awarded for an unlimited period. This is awarded to citizens who have been actively involved for 25 years. The exact criteria and advantages can also be found on the website Volunteering in Bavaria.

Volunteering: A benefit for everyone

The awards are not only a reward for the duration and intensity of the commitment, but also an opportunity to say to the numerous helpers in the region: “What you do is valuable.” In a world in which social coexistence is often put to the test, volunteering plays a central role. “Volunteers make our district more lively and friendlier,” Laumer aptly summarized.

Volunteering thrives on the passion of people who are willing to invest time and energy for others. The volunteer card is a piece of recognition for the fact that this work cannot be taken for granted. In the Straubing-Bogen district, thanks to the volunteers are not just words - they are also underlined with actions, such as the awarding of cards. Further information about volunteering can also be found on the district website.