In surreal times like these with the pandemic going on, who wouldn’t want a smart switch like our Gira pushbutton sensor 4 that lets you switch on a festive atmosphere instantly at the touch of a button. And at the same time completely switch off everything that’s been weighing us down over the last twelve months. Because at the end of another year that’s been anything but easy, we’ve all earned the chance to calm down, reflect on things and concentrate on what makes Christmas special. The many little stories told by Gira employees in our Christmas video show what this can be. Let yourself be inspired by them and switch on a little bit of Christmas already.

Since 2015, a team of our trainees has been responsible for the “Gira Christmas Miracle” every year. The campaign, which the young Gira staff organise and carry out entirely by themselves, is a special form of neighbourly help. “We want to give a little joy to local people who aren’t doing so well and can’t spend Christmas with family and friends,” says Meltem Ertürk, a trainee industrial clerk who is one of the organising team. The trainees collected wish lists this year at two care facilities for senior citizens in Radevormwald and two children's homes in the Bergisches Land region. With the help of their colleagues at Gira, they were able to get the presents that were asked for. The trainees handed over 280 colourfully wrapped packages this year. And thus switched on a little bit of Christmas for the recipients.

In 2021, Gira will once again be making donations to support two initiatives committed to social projects in Germany and South Africa and thus providing a special service to our society.

The dramatic images are still with us: villages flooded by raging water, badly damaged buildings, mud and rubble in destroyed homes, shops and businesses. The devastating storms and heavy rain that hit parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in mid-July also had a severe impact on many businesses in the electrical trade. In July, we already provided a quarter of a million euros to the regional guilds in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, who ensured a fair distribution of support payments for affected businesses.

If you would like to support those affected by the flood disaster with a donation and help switch on Christmas for them, here is a list of relief organisations and donation accounts. 

Overview of relief organisations and donation accounts