Fermont in Germany has helped raise €89,000 for the German Multiple Sclerosis Association (DMSG) by providing logistics services to the 13th Pfennigbazar (Penny Bazaar) held on 7 September at the Frankfurt Dominican Monastery.
The revenues of the two-day sale in the popular second-hand charity warehouse are mainly intended to benefit the DMSG in Hesse that provides consulting and therapeutic services for multiple sclerosis sufferers as well as new projects focusing on young multiple sclerosis patients.
Susie von Verschuer-Bär, CEO of Fermont and co-initiator and highly engaged member of the DMSG in Hesse, was delighted with the result at the end of the sale. “We earned EUR 89,000.00 in two days,” she said. “We are very satisfied with this.” Susie and her team have been the organisational backbone of the Pfennigbazar since it started in 2004. “The donations which were sorted by the volunteer helpers on seven collective appointments filled over 1,700 moving boxes.” Susie also explained that she had expected money to be harder to raise this year because of the support for refugees, but people had continued to be very generous.
“The Pfennigbazar is not only an important source of income, but it serves as a platform to inform about multiple sclerosis in general, to put a focus on our self-help organization and to inform about our various offers,” said Bernd Crusius, Managing Director of DMSG in Hesse. “A lot has actual happened to address young multiple sclerosis patients. One example is the online platform MS-Connect on which young multiple sclerosis patients can share their experiences in a protected space.”
The PfennigBazaar is popular for its low-priced designer clothes, exclusive evening dresses and elegant suits. Visitors could be sure to find something amongst the huge choice of high quality women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, household goods, art objects, bric-à-brac and toys in good condition.
Over 300 volunteer helpers had been in action for two days and had even started with the Pfennigbazar’s installation Monday before. They unpacked the goods, gave assistance to the clients and wrapped fragile items.
The DMSG in Hesse thanks sponsor Galeria Kaufhof, caterers JP-Ela Gourmet-Service and Evangelical Regional Association (which has provided the rooms of the Dominican Monastery) for their support and help. The DMSG in Hesse gets three quarters of the revenues and one quarter goes to the Hospice Association St. Katharina. Anything that has not been sold was given to other non-profit organisations that care for families in need or homeless people.
Photo: Susanne Freifrau von Verschuer, CEO Fermont; Renate von Metzler, Honorary Chairman DMSG; and Bernd Crusius, Managing Director DMSG.