It’s been two years since the municipality of Haar invited its volunteers to the reception and golden badges of honor were pinned to their lapels. At the first summer reception, Mayor Andreas Bukowski (CSU) welcomed around 150 guests in the small theater to pay tribute to their voluntary work in the community. In his speech, Bukowski admitted a wrong decision according to the community. Because of the tight budget situation, 20 percent of the voluntary community grants for the Haarer clubs were cut last year. This cut must now be corrected in order not to save further at the wrong end, according to the head of the town hall. The recognition of volunteer commitments should not be neglected. In Haar one is “among people who don’t care about their environment, but who, on the contrary, cherish and care for it. Politically, socially, societally, ecologically, culturally or in a protective and protective manner,” says Bukowski. By this he meant, among other things, the Haarer Tisch and the volunteer fire brigade, whose members he awarded the community’s golden badge of honour.
The Haarer Tisch helps people who are financially unable to provide themselves with the essentials. In addition to food and everyday items, the project’s volunteers also distribute clothing, furniture and toys to 500 customers. Ilse Heinzlmair and Ruth Stein accepted the Golden Badge of Honor on behalf of the Haarer Tisch team. For more than ten years, the two pensioners have been collecting, sorting and distributing the donated food at the Setzerhof. When the pandemic made distribution impossible, Heinzlmair and Stein developed new logistics so that urgently needed groceries reached their customers again quickly.
“Doc Theil” and “Mr. Excel” are the nicknames of Dr. Thomas Theil and Walter Böhm, who were awarded the Golden Badge of Honor on behalf of the Haar Volunteer Fire Department. After 48 years of service, Theil is the longest-serving member and the longest-serving respiratory protection wearer in the troop, and the Haar doctor last worked in the Covid ward of the Neuperlach hospital. His colleague Böhm has been with the Haar volunteer fire brigade since 1976: as a train driver, trainer and treasurer. He has already been honored with the Bavarian Fire Service Cross in silver for his commitment.