Vienna awards volunteers for five million weekly hours
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Vienna, Austria, the Social City Wien initiated the first Wiener Freiwilligenpreis to recognise unpaid volunteer work throughout the city.
Statistics Austria estimates that people in Vienna volunteer for five million hours each week, with 42 percent of residents participating in unpaid work. Richard Vrzal, managing director of Social City Wien, emphasised the value of this contribution, stating it cannot be measured in monetary terms.
The ORF Wien supported the award as a media partner, with Landesdirektor Edgar Weinzettl noting that much of the city would not function without volunteer engagement. Several individuals received awards for their service. Elke Tinhofer supports families at the Kinderhospiz Netz, providing companionship to children awaiting transport. Lisa Hartl leads a regional group of Ingenieur:innen ohne Grenzen (Engineers Without Borders), building essential infrastructure in areas of need.
Other award recipients included Brigitte Neichl, who shares knowledge at the Bezirksmuseum Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, and Lilith Busch, who offers free volleyball classes to children through Vienna Hobby Lobby. Veronika Kerschbaum leads a theatre group for people with visual impairments, and Maria Esslbauer supports individuals with mental health conditions through pro mente Wien, both highlighting the importance of community and mutual support.
