NAWA organizes and sponsors special social events for the residents of two senior citizen homes and a local orphanage.
As family companionship, friendship and affection are often missing from their lives, this program is particularly valued by those who can be a part of it, and extremely rewarding to all those who can contribute toward it!
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Senior Bingo
A fabulous group of NAWA women, the Budapest Bingo Babes, donate their time and smiling faces once a month to brighten the lives of seniors confined to two Budapest senior homes.
The games are eagerly anticipated by the residents and we typically have 60 participants who enjoy games, prizes, refreshments and camaraderie.
Games at the Dozsa home are always on Tuesday and at the Rozsa home on Thursday. Set-up starts at 9:15 and the games last from 9:30 to 11:15. Both homes are located in Pest,
within a few blocks of a metro station on the M1 Yellow Line.
Dozsa Home: Dozsa Gyorgy Utca 82/B
Take the yellow line to Hosok Tere (Heroes Square), exit the station and walk right (when facing the square) along Dozsa Gyorgy Utca. The home is on the corner just past the third intersection, Varosligeti Fasor.
Rozsa Home: Rozsa Utca 67
Take the yellow line to Vorosmarty Utca (not Ter!), exit the station, cross Andrassy and walk 2 blocks to the right up Andrassy. Turn left on Rozsa, ring the bell at the first door on right.
Upcoming Bingo Dates for 2010-2011:
September 14 – Dozsa
September 16 – Rozsa
October 12 - Dozsa
October 14 – Rozsa
November 9 – Dozsa
November 11 – Rozsa
December 6 – Mikulas
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Adopt-A-Granny
Several times each year, NAWA brings together children (ages 9 to 16) from a local orphanage and seniors from a local retirement home. This program was created to offer “adoptive” grandparents and their grandchildren something that simple donations would not – love and attention. The events are planned in a setting where seniors and orphans can interact and form bonds – the aquarium, the zoo, the circus, a meal at McDonald’s (a very special treat for them), a visit to the Parliament, Christmas arts and crafts, Easter egg painting, Grandparents/ Grandchildren Day celebrations, painting ceramics, and our most popular event, BINGO!
Since the program started eight years ago, the most wonderful thing to see is the long lasting relationships that have developed between the seniors and the children – special bonds that make them feel someone really cares.
For the latter part of 2009, NAWA held two events: the children and their grandparents painted ceramics for themselves and for each other with the help of local artists. And in December the group played their favorite game, BINGO! It was a very special treat which, in the spirit of giving, included donations from our members. And everyone had an opportunity to win something for themselves or to give as gifts for those they care for, something which they would otherwise not have been able to do.
We will begin 2010 with an exciting event for children of all ages: a trip to the circus, followed by the usual Easter McMeal and Bingo treat!
Such events can be fun for everybody, but for our group of orphans accompanied by their “adoptive grandparents” (residents from an old age home), these are rare moments of excitement, fun, joy, attention and affection. And for us, it is the heartwarming satisfaction of having made this possible.
For a quick look at our charity program through the eyes of the Adopt-a-Granny founder, Marina Mayer, and the NAWA past Chair, Sharon Knode, click on the video below!
Seasonal Gift-Giving
NAWA prepares and distributes gift bags and fresh fruit to the seniors (90+ residents per home) and small treats to 90+ orphanage residents on St. Mikulas Day.
End of Year Celebration
Once a year in May we plan an extended outing involving 40 seniors and 20 orphans.
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Ways To Contribute
Volunteers are needed and welcome!
To become involved in this program, contact Charity@nawabudapest.com
Click HERE for a printable PDF flyer!
Purchase a copy of Surviving & Thriving: A Guide to Living in Budapest. See About NAWA tab for more information.
Visit our charity book sales table at the NAWA General Meetings. Donate your recent books, magazines and DVDs to NAWA for resale at our General Meetings. All proceeds benefit our charity program!
Contact: Trisha Doyle at Book Table
(Photos by Marina Mayer)