Mayor Katja Dörner personally presented the 3,000th NRW Volunteer Card to Yevheniia Burlaka on Monday, September 9, 2024. The Lord Mayor presented the card together with flowers in the meeting place of the Lukas church community. She was supported by staff from the volunteer agency at the City of Bonn's Office for Social Affairs and Housing. "It's great that this special number could be issued in Bonn in the 15th year of the NRW volunteer card. It never ceases to amaze me how many people volunteer in our city and dedicate their time and energy to the community in so many different ways. Like Yevheniia Burlaka, the many volunteers contribute to the quality of life in our city and strengthen the sense of belonging and participation," said Mayor Katja Dörner.
Yevheniia Burlaka, herself Ukrainian and a refugee from the war, is the conductor of the Ukrainian choir "Namysto", which is part of the Bonn Friendship Meeting Place association. Her commitment consists of organizing and conducting the musical events of the choir, which has been in existence for two years. Singing together gives hope and strength to the 15 singers who have fled from Ukraine. The choir rehearses in the rooms of the Lukas church congregation.
A sign of recognition for civic engagement
The NRW volunteer card is a sign of recognition for civic commitment and a small token of thanks for all those who make a special effort for others in their free time. In over 300 participating districts and municipalities throughout the state, you can now take advantage of discounts with these cards - and there are always special promotions. Anyone who has one of the cards can, for example, visit various museums, cinemas or swimming pools at a reduced price. A total of almost 5,300 discounts are available.
An NRW volunteer card can be obtained by anyone who has been volunteering in Bonn for at least two years for a minimum of five hours a week or 250 hours a year without remuneration. The minimum age is 16 years. An appropriate form must be submitted in order to receive the NRW volunteer card. The organization or institution where the volunteer work is carried out must confirm the information on the form.
The state of NRW also introduced the NRW anniversary volunteer card in 2022. This card is intended to recognize the civic commitment of all those who have been working for their fellow citizens for at least 25 years.
Already 3,050 NRW volunteer cards in Bonn
As the event could only take place now due to the vacation period, NRW volunteer cards have continued to be issued in the meantime. To date, over 3,050 cards have been issued to volunteers in recognition of their civic commitment.
Further information on the NRW Volunteer Card and the NRW Jubilee Volunteer Card can be obtained from Bonn City Council on 0228 - 77 48 31 and at www.bonn.de/ehrenamtskarte (opens in a new tab) and on the NRW website www.engagiert-in-nrw.de; (opens in a new tab) the online forms are also available on the website.
It is now also possible to apply for and subsequently receive the NRW volunteer card in digital form. The state's app called "Ehrenamtskarte" can be downloaded free of charge from the App and Playstore.
People who are still looking to volunteer can contact the Volunteer Agency at the Office for Social Affairs and Housing. The team can be contacted by telephone on 0228 - 77 48 48 or by email at freiwilligenagenturbonnde. Further information is available at www.bonn.de/freiwilligenagentur. (opens in a new tab)