A happy Sinterklaas celebration for every child

There is a buzz of activity as we enter the warehouse. It's only a few days until December 5th, pakjesavond, and it shows. Volunteers everywhere are walking around in the red Sintvoorieder1 sweaters with the quote “Being kind is cool". One is sorting out spiced nuts and chocolate letters, another is putting a toy keyboard and a Peppa Pig cuddly toy into a box. Yet another receives items from an elderly couple who have by the warehouse. There are boxes and gifts everywhere: from large plush Miffy's to games, puzzles and dolls. 'With or without you' by U2 sounds on the radio. Despite the hard work, the atmosphere is cheerful.  

From kitchentable to warehouse

“We now work with about 80 volunteers!” says Esther Blom, founder and director of Sintvoorieder1, proudly. That used to be different. The idea for Sintvoorieder1, in other words, a nice Sinterklaas party for children growing up in hidden poverty, arose 14 years ago. 'My friend with whom I started this and I, we would regularly attend children's birthdays where at the end of the party, piles of gifts ended up unused in the back of a closet. We decided to collect these toys to give children at the Leger des Heils shelter in Voorburg a nice Saint Nicholas present.' And it was a success. Heartwarming stories provided even more drive to continue the initiative. 

Since then, cooperation with agencies and intermediaries - and thus the number of requests for gift packages for children - has increased tremendously. More and more commercial companies also want to cooperate with Sintvoorieder1, enabling them to make more children happy with a Sinterklaas gift every year. 'It started as an idea at the kitchen table. Now, 14 years later,' Esther looks around in amazement, 'sitting here, I cannot believe it! It has gotten a little out of hand'. Loes proudly adds: 'We are working towards delivering 30,000 gift parcels this year. With Omroep West's campaign last week, we raised more than 88,000 presents! Anything we can't process before Sinterklaas this year due to capacity will be saved for next year.'

Inquiries from different places

Requests for gift packages come from different places, the two women tell us. From victim assistance to debt settlement, shelters, mental health organisations, Ukrainian refugees, Syrian churches, it goes on and on. Loes says, 'Parents sometimes worry months in advance because they can't buy a present for their child. And when the children don't get a present and their classmates do, they start asking themselves: haven't I been nice? That breaks your heart'.  

Esther: 'The gift packages make the children feel seen, that they matter. A heartwarming message from the People for People foundation read, 'A wonderful afternoon, the COA staff said they had never seen the children so happy and joyful. Even the children who almost never laugh had big smiles. One girl came to show every volunteer her presents and was so grateful.' That's what you do it for.'  

Sustainable and social

Esther continues: “We are constantly working on sustainability. Almost all the furniture here in our warehouse has been refurbished by us, painted, given a second life. In addition to private donations of gifts, we also receive a lot of merchandise, branded items and corporate gifts from companies. They want to get rid of their old stock. A lot is thrown away, which scares me. Fortunately, we are increasingly able to take it over and give it a second life! Gift donations are great of course, but we've found out that working sustainably is not always the most efficient way. Recycling takes a lot of time: our volunteers have to check and sort through a lot of stuff. That's why we also ask for cash donations. It's great that more and more companies are planning a company outing here: giving something back to society together creates a bond. And it relieves our volunteers a bit.' 

'That relates with our second theme: loneliness. Different groups of people come to help us pack: people with psychological problems, but also seniors who struggle with loneliness, for example. That is very valuable, also for us! So we can scale again.' Loes adds, 'If you volunteer here together every week, you are a social safety net for each other'. Esther's 76-year-old mother is also a team member and volunteers every week. 'What a life energy it gives her! She walks the 20-year-olds right out!” she laughs. The third theme is digitization: all these regular volunteers will soon be inducted into an online community through Microsoft Teams. 

Challenges

The foundation receives an incredible amount of donations from individuals and companies throughout the year. This has only increased in recent years. That's great, but also has a downside: it takes up space. Every time, the foundation has to move, from one empty property to another. Esther: “In the early years it wasn't such a problem, because back then we didn't have so much fixed stuff. Now it has grown so much. I think we can move one more time, then it really stops'. Loes adds: 'A permanent location would be so incredibly nice. That way we can fully focus on our mission'. Transport is also an issue. The foundation receives requests from all over the country. A big task for a volunteer organization from The Hague, so all help and support from volunteers, partners and the government is welcome. 

The future

When asked “what would you still wish for Sintvoorieder1 in the future?” the two fantasize. Obviously to reach many more children in the Netherlands. A permanent location, that would also take away a lot of stress. More great collaborations with companies and ... 'An electric bus!' beams Esther. 'That would be really fantastic, the Sintvoorieder1 bus. So that our volunteers themselves can collect the donations and take away the gift parcels!'

Would you like to support Sintvoorieder1?

Throughout the year they can use help! Whether in the form of a gift, monetary donation or providing a service. Take a look at their website for more information: www.sintvoorieder1.nl