Advent is about charity. The aim is to collect 500 kilograms of chocolate this year as part of the campaign for disadvantaged children.
Visitors of the Forum Debrecen Shopping Center are greeted by a special sight: a giant slide connecting two levels was placed in the heart of the building, through which
customers can donate candy for disadvantaged children.
The initiative is being launched for the 11th time by the Bihari Állami Gondozottak Egyesülete (in English: Bihari Association of State Tendeds). Lajos Buzás, president of the association, said at the event’s press conference that
1,600 children currently live in state care in the county. The collection takes place on a national level, several institutions in Debrecen have joined the initiative. These children have to live away from their parents, so care – even in the form of chocolate – is very important.
At the press event, Ajtony Átányi, center manager of the Forum Debrecen, said that last year, visitors of the shopping center collected 100 kilograms of chocolate as part of the campaign.
This year, the goal is 500 kilograms.
He added that charity has always been important to the shopping center, which they are trying to bring to the attention of visitors with an experience. That is why they invented the chocolate slide, through which you can lower chocolate onto the platform of a 1950s truck, which evokes Santa’s vehicle in the Forum.
The first portion of candy was slid down the huge slide by children. Deputy mayor Diána Széles said that
children brought the spirit of Christmas to the Forum. She was pleased to see that many companies, educational institutions, and businesses also moved for this good cause in the city.