On December 4, 2025, Europa-Park in Rust became a stage for generosity and commitment. The 22nd charity gala "Helfen hilft!," under the patronage of Werner Kimmig and the Mack family, brought together around 380 guests and raised €138,565 for the Support Association for Children with Cancer e.V. In the festive atmosphere of the Dinner Show, participants experienced an evening full of deep emotions and culinary highlights.
Tradition and Success of the Charity Gala
For 22 years, TV producer Werner Kimmig from Oberkirch has invited guests, along with the Mack family, to the glamorous pre-Christmas event "Helfen hilft!" at Europa-Park in support of the Support Association for Children with Cancer e.V. The gala has become a fixture of social engagement. The events at Europa-Park have collected more than €2 million in donations, which go directly to benefit children with cancer. The association has gathered over €50 million in donations since its founding 45 years ago, underscoring the long-term impact of this commitment.An Evening Full of Emotions and a World Journey
Around 380 generous guests accepted the invitation from hosts Werner Kimmig and the Mack family. The event took place in the festive setting of the Europa-Park Dinner Show, where around 30 top-class artists and dancers took the audience on an unforgettable journey around the world. The motto "Welcome to Illusion" shaped the evening and transported guests into a world of illusion and fascination. Guests were pampered with an exquisite four-course menu prepared by two-star chef Peter Hagen-Wiest of "Ammolite – The Lighthouse Restaurant." Celebrities such as Paola Felix, Dagmar and Karlheinz Kögel, and Christina Obergföll were among the guests, underscoring the glamorous character of the evening.Commitment of the Mack Family
The Mack family, owners of Europa-Park, has been committed to social responsibility since the park's opening 50 years ago. Jürgen Mack emphasized that the well-being of children is particularly close to the family's heart, stating: "Since the opening of Europa-Park 50 years ago, social responsibility toward society has been at the forefront for the Mack family. We are therefore particularly pleased to have been able to support the association for over 30 years." This highlights the close partnership.Gratitude and Outlook from the Association
Werner Kimmig, chairman of the board of trustees of the Support Association for Children with Cancer e.V., thanked the Mack family and all attendees for their generous support. He highlighted that since 1996, thanks to large donation amounts and countless small contributions, an incredible €25 million in funding has been transferred to the Freiburg Children's Cancer Clinic. Among the guests, he welcomed the medical director of the Freiburg Children's and Youth Clinic, Prof. Tobias Feuchtinger. Kimmig spoke of the tragic fates that can strike any family and recalled the association's vision: more nursing staff, new technical equipment, accommodations for parents and siblings, psychological care, and additional research funding. Around 2,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, with numbers tending to rise in 2025. He urged guests to donate purposefully and assured them that every cent entrusted reaches the children. Investments in research could help reduce the alarming figures for 2025. Moved by these words, the participants donated the impressive sum of €138,565.Goals and Projects of the Association
The Support Association for Children with Cancer e.V. marks its 45th anniversary this year. Under the motto "Helfen hilft!," it works to improve the staffing and spatial equipment of the University Children's Clinic in Freiburg so that affected parents and siblings can stay close to the young patients on a long-term basis. In addition to parents' houses, the association supports improvements in treatment and care quality, assistance for bereaved parents, mobile cancer therapy, and research. Most recently, it raised €14 million for the construction of a new parents' house with 45 rooms, the association's largest project to date. Many celebrities, including Thomas Gottschalk, Dr. Martin Herrenknecht, Dr. Steffen Würth, Nils Petersen, Carmen Nebel, Stefan Mross, Katarina Witt, Harald Schmidt, Karlheinz and Dagmar Kögel, Christina Obergföll, Johannes Vetter, Stefanie Hertel, Hans Weber, Martin Heuberger, and Horst Lichter, support the work through various actions and events.Anyone wishing to support the Support Association for Children with Cancer e.V. can make donations to the following accounts: Sparkasse Offenburg/Ortenau, IBAN: DE61 6645 0050 0006 0848 42, BIC: SOLADES1OFG; or Volksbank eG, IBAN: DE43 6649 0000 0050 5588 00, BIC: GENODE61OG1.
