With 120,000 volunteers hitting the streets and numerous online auctions, this year's collection aims to support "Lungs after the pandemic." From Warsaw's PGE National Stadium to Kraków's market square, and beyond, the country is immersed in a day of charitable activities.
The capital city, Warsaw, transforms with the festivities, boasting a stage, town setup, and WOŚP's main studio at the PGE National Stadium. The day kicks off with the 18th "Get even with diabetes" Run at 11:40, followed by the captivating "Lights to Heaven" light and music show at 8 pm on the stadium's membranes. Antique buses and streetcars add to the charm, cruising along the city's streets throughout the day.
In Kraków, the market square becomes a hub for fundraising activities, led by volunteers from the "Despite Everything" foundation, including Anna Dymna. The day includes the "Great Hearts' Run" from Kurlandzki Boulevard and offers a diverse program of concerts, film screenings, and children's games, culminating in the traditional "Light to Heaven" at 8 pm on the Main Square.
Lublin sees around 600 volunteers collecting funds, with unique auction items such as a dinner with Motor Lublin coach Goncalo Feio and a karting duel with speedway rider Dominik Kubera. In Łódź, the Grand Charge parade takes center stage, featuring dozens of riders, carriages, and horse-drawn carriages down Piotrkowska Street.
Gdańsk hosts the WOŚP headquarters at the European Solidarity Center, and performances by Natalia Przybysz, De Mono, Majestic, and others at the B90 club. Gdynia and Sopot also join in the charitable spirit with various headquarters and events.
Traditionally, auctions are a highlight of the Finale, featuring sports memorabilia such as Iga Świątek's red dress and Robert Lewandowski's jersey with FC Barcelona player signatures. The Polish Press Agency contributes to the cause by donating photographs for auction.
Not confined to Poland, WOŚP extends its reach abroad, participating in events in Belgium, the UK, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Spain, Japan, Canada, and even near the South and North Poles.
The Finale, a televised spectacle, can be followed on TVN television throughout the day, with entries broadcasted at multiple time slots. Additionally, TVP joins the initiative, airing entries from the Grand Finale on TVP2.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, founded in 1993 by Jerzy Owsiak and others, is Poland's largest non-governmental, non-profit charity organization. It raises funds primarily for pediatric and elderly care. The WOŚP has gained recognition for supporting healthcare in Poland by purchasing advanced medical equipment for hospitals and clinics and running several medical and educational programs. It's known for its annual public fundraiser, the Grand Finale, which involves concerts, sporting competitions, and various events both in Poland and globally.
The record amount of money raised by the WOŚP during a single Grand Finale was PLN 243,259,387.25. This remarkable achievement was accomplished in the 2023 Grand Finale, setting a new record for the organization's fundraising efforts.
Source: PAP