In the same year, the city of Salzgitter also invited volunteers to Volunteer Day for the first time to recognize their achievements. "With their commitment in countless clubs, church communities, aid organizations and individual projects, our many thousands of volunteers are the heart and backbone of our urban society. Without reservation, they lend a hand and help where help is needed. It is our volunteers who make our city come alive and whose dedication and commitment make an invaluable contribution to the well-being of all. Volunteering is more than just an act - it is the drive for togetherness that makes our society stronger and more humane," emphasized Mayor Frank Klingebiel on Volunteer Day.

"People for people" in Salzgitter: Volunteers at the Alstom Werkmuseum Salzgitter
In this year's "People for People" category, we presented those who work with heart and dedication to preserve the Alstom Works Museum in Salzgitter and keep this special cultural site alive. With great commitment, 12 volunteers look after the museum, offer guided tours and dedicate themselves to the care and restoration of the exhibits. Thanks to their passion and expertise, the company's history remains tangible and visitors are given a unique insight into times gone by. Thanks to their dedication, it is possible to make these historical treasures - such as the saloon carriage of the last German Empress Auguste-Viktoria - accessible to the public and to view them from the inside. This allows visitors to experience for themselves what it was like to travel in times gone by. The collection of the museum, which was built in 1965, ranges from detailed miniature views to old steam locomotives that bear witness to industrial development and history. We would like to thank them warmly for their valuable contribution, which keeps memories alive and brings the heritage of times gone by impressively into the present.

Special recognition
Previous recipients in recent years have included, for example, the DRK bicycle workshop and the Fredenberg secondary school, the SOS Mothers' Center and multi-generation house, the Green Ladies, the trainers from the Salzgitter running club, the ladies and gentlemen of the Old Town Festival Committee and the 29 volunteer local fire departments in Salzgitter. In 2023, the volunteer fire department's work with children and young people received special recognition.
This year, special recognition was given to the voluntary work of the warming center of the Catholic parish of St. Joseph. For 27 years, the warming room has offered a place of refuge for the homeless and needy, which is run by around 10 dedicated volunteers. These volunteers put their hearts and souls into supporting people in difficult life situations - be it by offering them a warm place, a sympathetic ear, a care package to take home or breakfast. For many of those who find their way to the warming room, it is not just the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve or the coffee, but above all the "human warmth" they receive there. What makes this work special is the personal closeness and warmth with which the volunteers treat each guest. They know the people who come here by name and not only listen, but also respond to their individual needs. The Wärmestube relies on donations to continue offering homeless and needy people a place where they can feel safe and welcome twice a week. Every euro donated helps to ensure that the doors of this place of refuge remain open and that a warm smile or a moment of acceptance is still possible for all those who visit this place.
In the Wärmestube, the volunteers treat all guests with respect and consideration, regardless of their situation, and thus create a space in which the dignity of each individual takes center stage. The volunteers at the Wärmestube show what it means to live humanity and charity. Their work is a shining example of how precious it is to extend a hand to someone - and how much a place of warmth and dignity can achieve, even with small gestures.