Jerzy Owsiak leads the orchestra; photo - PAPNearly 90 percent of Poles support today’s collection by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the annual fund raiser for needy children, finds a survey commissioned by Polish Radio.
The survey by Homo Homini found that 89 percent was behind the effort, charismatically lead by Jerzy Owsiak, to raise money for children’s medical care this weekend, an action now in its 19th successive year.
“The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has conquered the imagination and social consciousness of Poland,” says director of Homo Homini, Marcin Duma.
This year 800 concerts are being held, involving 1300 performers around the country, with 120,000 volunteers collecting money at shopping malls and other venues for kids with kidney disease.
Volunteers are also raising money in Afghanistan, as well as Saudi Arabia, Britain, France, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Germany, USA, Iceland, Sweden and even the Arctowski station in Antarctica.
You can find out how to get involved in Poland’s largest one-day charity find raiser at the orchestra’s web site here. (pg)