Jerzy Owsiak, president of the board of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation, speaking in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 about the atmosphere two days before the 31st Grand Finale, said that the commitment this year shows that “we want to be together, that we are with myself.” “What we’re doing is very clear to people, the purpose is very clear,” he added. He also talked about what is the most difficult thing about organizing the entire project, and what makes him still have the energy to manage this event after more than 30 years.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has been supporting Polish health care since 1993. During the last thirty finals, it collected over PLN 1.75 billion, which was allocated to the purchase of nearly 70,000 devices and to support medical facilities. The 31st GOCC final will take place next Sunday, January 29th. This time, the collection is held under the slogan “Live healthy in a healthy world”, and the collected funds will be used to purchase modern equipment to fight sepsis.
Owsiak: The goal is very clear
Jerzy Owsiakpresident of the board of the WOŚP Foundation, spoke in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 about the atmosphere two days before the final.
– There was not so much pressure a year ago. It shows that we want to be together, that we are together. What we do is very clear to people, the purpose is very clear. I think we build credibility on what we do all the time,” he said. As he stated, “credibility” is a word that “eludes us in the public dimension”. – We lack these words in relation to the system, to building the state, in relation to seeing us as a society that works for itself, that pays taxes – continued the president of the board of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.
Owsiak was asked how the decision is made that the money collected during each final is intended for various, specific purposes. This year, the goal is to fight sepsis. He said that the main theme of the finale “was very hot”. As he said, it is the future that determines the purpose for which the funds from the next finals will be spent. – This future may come true for us in October next year, it is being built on the basis of what we know about what is happening in Polish hospitals in Polish health care – he explained.
What is the hardest thing about organizing help? “The Simplest Thing”
The TVN24 guest also talked about what is the most difficult in the whole ritual related to organizing the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. – The simplest thing. Let no one disturb us. We really manage, really this logistics of NGOs’ activities is already calculated well in advance in very rich countries, (…). Foundations cost much, much less with their work. Let’s not disturb, let’s not think that living here, paying taxes, we should have everything
Owsiak: when we are approaching the final, when I have “fear”, this is what drives us
Owsiak was also asked what gives him the energy to continue managing activities related to the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity after 31 years.
“That moment when we’re getting close to the final, when we have a scare. It’s not like we’re movie certainties and say, “it’s definitely going to come out.” This is what drives us, it shows that my desire for a vision of Poland, (…), this is what keeps me in this energy, it is that I want to be proud of this country
Owsiak about the gas explosion in Katowice: our staff was there
Owsiak also referred to Friday gas explosion in Katowicetwo people died and several were hospitalized. The building where the explosion took place collapsed.
– Two fatalities, we are very sorry. We would like to ask the staffs to pay attention to this on Sunday, to celebrate this moment – he said.
Owsiak about the gas explosion in Katowice: our staff was thereTVN24
– That’s where our staff was, right here. One of the eight staffs. There was a parish house there. All our badges were collected by the priest. It’s an Evangelical church. Stay strong there, stay healthy. I know you’ll be helping out with another HQ. The whole plan of action of this staff lay in ruins, literally. Those IDs stayed there too. But Katowice will play with us. The whole of Poland will play, the whole world will play – said Owsiak.
Main photo source: TVN24