Nagel-Group congratulates SOS-Kinderdorf Germany on its 70th anniversary
The laughter of children that gives courage. A home that provides security. And people who work day after day to ensure that children have a real chance at a better life. All of this is part of the work of SOS Kinderdorf. For 70 years, the organization has been committed to giving children in need the warmth of a family, an education, and prospects for the future.
To celebrate this special anniversary and underscore the close ties between the two organizations, the Nagel-Group visited the SOS Kinderdorf in Gera. Chairwoman of the Board Marion Nagel personally conveyed the company’s congratulations and emphasized the partnership that has existed for fifteen years.
A partnership with history
For the Nagel-Group, this commitment is part of its own history. In 2025, the family-owned company will celebrate its 90th anniversary and is marking this year with a clear commitment to social responsibility. The partnership between the Nagel-Group and SOS Kinderdorf began in 2010 with a spontaneous relief effort following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. At that time, the Nagel-Group raised €75,000 through a fundraising campaign on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. This commitment has grown into a real tradition. The Christmas donation campaign has been held every year since 2013. Employees and customers vote together on which SOS Kinderdorf project will be supported. To date, almost €600,000 has been raised in this way. Direct aid that goes where it is most urgently needed.
The tradition will continue this year. In a few weeks, the 2025 Christmas campaign will begin, giving employees and customers another opportunity to help decide which project will receive support.
Encounters in Gera
During the visit to Gera, it became clear what this support can achieve. After a warm welcome, facility manager Katrin Berthold gave the guests a tour of the premises. More than 30 children live in four family groups at the SOS Kinderdorf in Gera. Children who, for various reasons, cannot grow up with their families find security, stability, and a normal everyday life here.
The insight into the project, which was funded by last year’s Christmas donation, was particularly impressive. The “Gemeinsame Mittagstisch” (shared lunch table) at Café Krümel received €5,000 in support, providing many children in Gera whose families cannot afford lunch at daycare or school with a delicious, nutritious midday meal. Café Krümel is also visited by many other guests, such as city administration employees from the nearby town hall or residents of the social housing next door, for whom an adjusted pricing structure has been developed. They have the opportunity to enjoy a seasonal, regional, and healthy meal in good company. The café is thus a meeting place at lunchtime from 11:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., providing healthy food for children, young people, and families in difficult circumstances while promoting interaction between different social groups. Everyone is welcome here!
“It gives us great pleasure to see how the support provided by the Nagel-Group is making a difference here in everyday life. Children, families, and older people alike benefit from this commitment,” said Katrin Berthold, facility manager at SOS Kinderdorf Thuringia.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed lunch together at Café Krümel on Kornmarkt. Located in the city center, directly behind the town hall and market square, it is easily accessible for many people. Every day, between 25 and 40 guests enjoy a hot, seasonal, and affordable lunch. With the support of the Nagel-Group, the capacity of the lunch service has been doubled. It is particularly remarkable that the entire kitchen is managed by a single person. From meal planning and shopping to cooking, Janet Koch does much of the work herself, with great commitment and passion.
Café Krümel shows how valuable eating together is for community, exchange, and participation. This is precisely where a special connection to the Nagel-Group arises. As a food logistics company, Nagel-Group ensures that food reaches its destination reliably and fresh every day. This bridge between transport and shared meals makes it clear that, in the end, it is about much more than just products. It is about closeness, care, and the feeling of being part of a community.
“I was particularly touched by the dedication with which people work here in Gera, whether in the residential groups or at Café Krümel. It shows how important community, warmth, and care are.” For us at the Nagel-Group, it is a particular concern to support this work in the long term,” explained Marion Nagel, Chairwoman of the Nagel-Group’s Administrative Board.
f.l.t.r.: Svenja Skeries (Assistant to the Chairwoman of the Administration Board at Nagel-Group), Marion Nagel (Chairwoman of the Administration Board at Nagel-Group), Tanja Plath (Corporate Fundraising Management at SOS-Kinderdorf e. V.), Katrin Berthold (Director at SOS-Kinderdorf Thüringen), Joana Krauße (Public Relations Coordinator bei SOS-Kinderdorf Thüringen)
Together for the future
“The fact that the Nagel-Group has been supporting us for more than ten years is invaluable to us. This reliability makes projects possible that would be unthinkable without long-term partners,” emphasized Tanja Plath, Corporate Fundraising Management SOS-Kinderdorf e. V.
At the end of the event, a group photo was taken. It symbolizes gratitude, trust, and the hope that this partnership will continue to open up new opportunities for many children and families in the future. Because one thing is clear: the connection between SOS Kinderdorf and the Nagel-Group is more than just a fundraising campaign. It is a promise to give children in need a piece of the future.