Gifts for Kids 2025 Campaign Supports a Thousand Children

Last November, the American Women’s Club of Luxembourg (AWCL) launched its annual Gifts for Kids campaign for 2025, culminating in over a thousand children in Luxembourg foyers receiving gifts around St Nichols Day (Saturday 6 December).

Having evolved over the years from "Toys for Tots" to the current "Gifts for Kids", the volunteer-led initiative is designed to ensure that every child living in a Luxembourg foyer or group home receives a gift chosen just for them, in the run up to Christmas. 

On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November, the AWCL welcomed representatives from the various foyers to the AWCL Clubhouse in Luxembourg-Beggen where they came to collect the gifts which were then be distributed to the children on St Nicholas Day.

Since 1996, this volunteer driven initiative has worked hand-in-hand with counsellors and caregivers to help children feel included, valued and seen. What began as a small effort has grown into a national tradition of giving, supported by companies, schools and individuals across the country.

In 2024, 1,609 children across nearly 90 foyers received their Saint Nicholas gifts through Gifts for Kids. In 2025, the programme managed to fulfil 1,725 wishes across over 130 foyers (exceeding the target of 1,700 wishes across 100 foyers), reflecting a growing need and an even greater opportunity to give.

Talking with Corinne Koenig, AWCL President, in January, she explained that while there are a number of new foyers now covered, some existing foyers have divided into smaller group homes. 

Marion Weyer (Treasurer) and Kelly Cannady (Gifts for Kids) confirmed that the AWCL spent €13,000 in the Belle Etoile shopping centre on gift certificates as well as €23,272 on Amazon for toys and clothing (1,068 items in total, in 225 packages), with the most popular items being instant cameras, remote controlled robots, earbuds and headphones. 

Corinne Koenig recalled the immense logistical challenge, now that the initiative had grown so much, which required a larger team being involved and a new website being built. The foyers became more involved this year and were invited to a Pick-Up Party in November which Corinne Koening described as the easiest solution for everyone. She also explained that with some children who have nothing, the power of them then having something such as a gift voucher makes them feel belonged within a group of their peers. 

Another aspect was the accounting, with Marion Weyer explaining that the returns aspect could be tracked easily.

Gifts for Kids in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Corinne Koenig explained that there are always thing to improve, and she pointed out that the Pick-Up arrangements could be adapted to include a Thursday as well, as many foyer staff do not work at weekends. The 2025 event saw traffic jams outside the clubhouse with many people arriving at the same time, so the AWCL will aim to resolve this aspect too. Also, Kelly Cannady explained that they now have an account manager assigned at Amazon as they (AWCL) discovered that sometimes there are volume limits when purchasing certain products. 

Corinne Koenig also revealed that CJF Luxembourg (formerly Caritas Jeunes & Famille) and others have asked the AWCL to possibly help in other ways too, not only around St Nicolas in December: she gave the example of a request for jackets for two small boys in need, which was quickly over-subscribed. She explained that she is exploring how the AWCL can offer support and be caring in other situations of which she admitted they were previously unaware. She also said that they are looking into other ways to see how they can become more involved, possibly by making the clubhouse available for certain initiatives, for which the main requirement is having enough volunteers from within the AWCL. 

How the initiative works in practice

In 2025, the AWCL arranged for circa 30 Giving Trees hosted by sponsors across Luxembourg, with one also at the AWCL clubhouse; for 2026 they hope to have virtual trees in addition to the physical trees. Each tree is adorned by personalised ornaments each including a child’s name, age, gift request and price (the toys have been selected by the children themselves, with support from their counsellor). Those wishing to donate then contribute the amount needed to make those wishes possible. The AWCL then purchase the gifts and provide them to the foyers in time for Saint Nicholas Day. 

Full details are available on the https://www.gfklux.org/ website which features donation options and information for sponsors.

Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu