On July 15, 2026, the United States’ CARE Package program marked its 80th anniversary.

Following World War II, it became the starting point for a renewed German-American friendship.

To help the starving and freezing civilian population survive in war-ravaged postwar Europe—especially in Germany—the U.S. government initiated a major humanitarian relief effort: the CARE Packages.
The relief organization CARE (Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) was founded that same year through the merger of 22 American charitable organizations. Initially, Americans purchased CARE Packages for $15, later reduced to $10, enabling them to provide direct assistance to needy families in Europe or to specifically designated relatives.

The first shipment destined for Germany arrived by ship in Bremerhaven on July 15, 1946.

Each package weighed approximately 44 pounds (20 kilograms) and contained nutritious food and essential household supplies, including:

Meats & Fats: corned beef, luncheon meat, canned beef, bacon, lard, and margarine
Staple Foods: powdered whole milk, sugar, oatmeal, powdered eggs, raisins, and honey
Treats: coffee, cocoa, and chocolate
Other: soap, sewing kits, candles, tools, and sometimes cigarettes

Between 1946 and 1960, approximately ten million CARE Packages were sent to Germany alone. They became world-famous during the Berlin Airlift of 1948–49. During the Berlin Airlift, the Americans helped save the people of starving West Berlin by delivering approximately 1,000 CARE Packages each day, along with supplies flown in by the famous “Raisin Bombers”—the nickname Germans gave to the American cargo planes.

On July 15, the Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting) commemorated the 80th anniversary of this extraordinary humanitarian effort with features on radio (Bayern 2) and television (Abendschau). Our GAWC member Elisabeth Schosser, who witnessed these events as a child, shared her personal experiences in an interview. Excerpts were broadcast on the Bayern 2 radio program.

Historical short films about the CARE Packages, as well as a video produced by the Museum of Bavarian History in Regensburg, are available online.

The compassion and vision demonstrated by American leaders, together with the generosity of the American people in the immediate aftermath of the war, were truly unparalleled and will never be forgotten. Their humanitarian aid laid the foundation for the renewal of German-American friendship.

In the words of our President, Dr. Monika Deuerlein:
“Remembering the CARE Package program with gratitude and honoring the enduring friendship between Germany and the United States—this is what our German-American Women’s Club of Munich (GAWC) stands for, especially in times like these.”

250 years USA

Fotocredit: US-Generalkonsulat München

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the “Declaration of Independence” in Philadelphia. It marked the birth of a new nation, the “United States of America.”
Thirteen colonies in North America fought for eight years for their freedom, which is being celebrated for the 250th time this year.

Dr. James Miller, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Munich, hosted a grand Fourth of July reception at the official residence in Bogenhausen ahead of July 4, 2026.

Fotocredit: US-Generalkonsulat München

In his address, Dr. James Miller emphasized the great importance of the friendship between the United States and Germany, particularly the close ties with Bavaria.

He spoke about Johann de Kalb, who was born near Erlangen and served as a general in the American Continental Army. He was a man who crossed the Atlantic for no apparent personal reason and fought for people who did not even yet have a nation of their own. But he believed in the Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia four years earlier, and in the fundamental rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the democratic election of those who govern. As he lay dying on the battlefield, he spoke the famous words: “I die the death I always prayed for: the death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man.”

The 2026 anniversary year is being celebrated under the banner “Freedom 250.”

Dr. James Miller: “Freedom is never self-fulfilling. Each generation inherits it. Each generation must protect it. And each generation must decide what to make of it. The American story is, in many ways, a story of people who answered that challenge—with generation after generation helping to build a nation… That is why we have also chosen “Our shared Journey – Unsere gemeinsame Reise”as the central message of our anniversary year.”

Over the past several months, the Consul General traveled to various locations across Bavaria to honor extraordinary individuals who, over the course of centuries, have connected Bavaria and America. These included Sommerhausen (Daniel Pastorius), Erlangen-Hüttendorf (Johann de Kalb), and Trappstadt (Marcus Goldmann, later associated with Goldman Sachs in New York).

“The United States of America was shaped by people who were willing to take risks and contribute to something greater than themselves,” said Dr. James Miller.

“And perhaps nowhere is our shared journey more visible than in the friendship between the United States and Bavaria.” The first U.S. consulate was opened in the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1833. Since then, the relationship has continued to deepen, building bridges across the Atlantic in education, training and academic exchange, including the American Fulbright Program, as well as in science and space exploration. Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, journalists, diplomats, and countless families have contributed to this relationship—including American families who live in Bavaria because of the U.S. military presence. These connections are reflected in shared experiences and joint projects.

Looking to the Future: According to Dr. James Miller, an important theme for the coming year will be “Local Ties. Global Impact.” “The future of German-American relations will be shaped not only in capitals, but also locally.” Security policy is part of this relationship as well. “…We are building a shared future in which both Germany and the United States, as Secretary Marco Rubio has stressed, are ‘safer, stronger, and more prosperous.’”

Last but not least, Dr. James Miller thanked the Bavarian state government for jointly hosting a public celebration of American independence in front of the State Chancellery on the Fourth of July. Bavarian and American traditions were brought together to strengthen the ties between the two nations.

Markus Blume, Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts,emphasized afterward that Bavarian-American friendship endures beyond current politics and continues to be celebrated.

A Cultural Bridge: Minister Blume cleverly connected U.S. slogans such as Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” and Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” with the Bavarian motto “Mia san Mia.”

Last but not least, he also highlighted the importance of local connections and emphasized that local relationships can have a global impact.

Around 1,000 invited guests attended the reception hosted by Consul General Dr. James Miller.

The guests of honor included Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, and Georg Eisenreich, Bavarian State Minister of Justice, as well as members of the international consular corps, senior military representatives, leading figures from business, government agencies and ministries, and prominent personalities from the worlds of culture, media, sports, and science.

Fotocredit: US-Generalkonsulat München

Fotocredit: US-Generalkonsulat München

Following the official ceremony, guests raised a toast to 250 years of independence of the United States of America and to freedom. A variety of beautifully decorated food stands offered guests a selection of typical American specialties.

The official, highly acclaimed military orchestra of the U.S. Army for Europe and Africa, the United States Army Europe and Africa Band & Chorus, performed a series of rousing musical sets for the guests.

During this successful and festive evening in an exclusive atmosphere, the strength of the American-German friendship was clearly felt throughout the event.

Fotocredit: US-Generalkonsulat München

Visit of the Artgroup to the Viktualienmarkt

A visit of the Viktualienmarkt is always something special - full of life, tradition and Munich‘s distinctive culture of enjoying life. 
This time, the visit was made especially exciting, since our member Sybille Reinicke told us so many new things about the history of this unique place and the peculiarities of the Julia-Capulet-Statue, that so many of us had not known before.
We are looking forward to many more excursions.

Magnolia Ball 2027

Der Termin für den nächsten Magnolienball ist nun bekannt ! Im kommenden Jahr wird am Freitag, 29. Januar 2027 das Tanzbein für karitative Zwecke geschwungen.

Please find more details here: Charity Events – B: Magnolia Ball | GAWC

Inclusion Tournament 2026

The date for the fifth Golf Tournament has been announced ! This year the golf event will take place on July 10th, 2026, as always at the Golfpark Aschheim.

Please find more details here: Charity Events – D: Inklusions Golfturnier | GAWC

VDAC Youth Trip 2026

The Federation of German American Clubs VDAC has organized a great trip again this year ! A detailed account of the travel can be found on our website about the Youth Program: C: Jugend & Studierende – A: Jugendprogramm | GAWC

GAWC on Instagram

GAWC is now also on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gawc-munich

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Silvertea 2026

The 75th Silvertee will take place this year an Novembver 10, 2026. As usual we will celebrate in the Kaisersaal of the Residenz.

Magnolia Ball 2026

The Magnolia ball was a great success ! You can find details on our press page F: Presse | GAWC and in our longer description of the ball Charity Events – B: Magnolienball | GAWC.

Dancing Delight in Waltz Time

We are delighted that our beautiful Magnolia Ball has been featured in the Süddeutsche Zeitung: From the Film Ball to the Magnolia Ball: Where the Stars Will Dance in Munich in 2026 – Munich – SZ.de: Article from Jan 20, 2026.

“Everyone waltz!” A great role model for major society events remains the Vienna Opera Ball. Just as at the Vienna State Opera, the Magnolia Ball at the Bayerischer Hof upholds the tradition of social debutantes. Not 144 debutantes wearing Swarovski tiaras accompanied by young gentlemen as in Vienna, but still more than a dozen young ladies with crowns and white gloves will be presented at the 73rd charity gala of the German-American Women’s Club of Munich. On the arms of their dance partners, dressed in tailcoats or uniforms, they open the ball with the Die Fledermaus Quadrille by Johann Strauss. Funds are raised for charitable causes and for the German-American student exchange (February 7).

Silver Tea

This year's Silver Tea was a great event again, as always. A big thank you to everyone !

Details can be found here: A: Charity Events – A: Silbertee | GAWC

And photos are as usual in our gallery ! G: Galerie | GAWC

Thank You to MAKRO!

At the summer gathering of the Munich Association of Reserve Officers (MAKRO), the German-American Women’s Club e.V. was presented with a donation check of €500, collected in advance for charitable purposes. Our president, Andrea Hellmann, gratefully accepted it in person.
The evening’s theme was “Command & Cocktail” on July 18, 2025, held at the Summer Bar of the Hofbräukeller at Wiener Platz. A wonderful summer evening dedicated to networking and charity.

Once again, a heartfelt thank you to MAKRO!

Fotocredits: Münchner Arbeitskreis Reserve Offiziere

4th of July, Independence Day 2025

Fotocredits: US-Generalkonsulat München

Fotocredits: US-Generalkonsulat München