For 30 years now, the Ronald McDonald House at the Heart Center in Munich has been hosting the families of sick children. A residential house—right next to the major clinic.

A building made of glass. Its architecture supports people during a difficult time: large windows let plenty of light into every room. Everywhere is bright. Parents and siblings of sick children can look over at the hospital at any time, where the young patients—often for a very long time—are being treated. This creates a comforting feeling of closeness for their families.

How can we improve the chances of children who are born into disadvantaged, low-education, and often trauma-affected families? Lichtblick Hasenbergl has been dedicated to this mission for over 30 years. Johanna Hofmeir, the founder of Lichtblick, radiates passion for her work with these children. Starting at just five months old, children are cared for in various groups as a complement to their family upbringing. The program fosters not only cognitive skills but also social competence, table manners, and general knowledge. The children experience a structured daily routine and learn, in practical ways, how to maintain a healthy diet. School-age children receive the support they need to participate successfully in class, while teenagers are given a space for both studying and socializing with peers. Those already in vocational training receive guidance to help them complete their apprenticeships. What started as a small initiative has grown into an institution that provides regular assistance to 200 children, with another 120 receiving occasional support.  

For over 20 years, the GAWC has supported Lichtblick Hasenbergl both financially and practically. Club member Edeltraud Gerlinger played a key role in establishing the “Boutique,” where children and teenagers can purchase clothing at low prices. After many years, a group of five club members visited Lichtblick Hasenbergl again on March 19. Much had changed since their last visit, with new aspects and developments added. However, one thing remained the same: the incredible commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty, lack of education, and social exclusion. This commitment and this institution are truly worth supporting!

That was the motto of the anniversary reception at the Ronald McDonald House Munich at the German Heart Center on March 18, 2025. Friends and supporters of the house gathered in impressive numbers to celebrate. Spread across all levels of the house, they listened to speeches from guest of honor Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich, Adrian Köstler, board member of McDonald’s Kinderhilfe, patrons Clarissa Käfer and Alexander Mazza, and Prof. Dr. Peter Ewert, Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiology at the Heart Center. All speakers emphasized how, over the past thirty years, the house has provided heartfelt care and support to its guests through tremendous dedication and volunteer commitment. A mother and her now-teenage son, who had once relied on the “Home Away from Home” during a difficult time, shared their experiences at the Ronald McDonald House. The reception was accompanied by musical performances from a singer and saxophonist—a father who had also once stayed at the Ronald McDonald House with his family. As always at events in the Ronald McDonald House, guests were treated to delicious snacks, creatively prepared by dedicated volunteers, along with a selection of beverages. A toast was made to the future of the house, accompanied by resounding and long-lasting applause.

For decades, a close friendship has existed between FortSchritt and the German-American Women’s Club of Munich (GAWC). The GAWC promotes student exchange between the USA and Germany and supports charitable and social aid projects in the Munich area. Due to this long-standing collaboration, Ulrike Kellner, Dr. Karin Behringer, and Angelika Utthoff of the GAWC were already well acquainted with Conductive Education, the pedagogy, and (re-)habilitation method developed by Dr. András Petö when they visited the children at the FortSchritt Conductive Special Education Daycare Center in Niederpöcking. In high spirits, the children sang a song—naturally combined with movement, as is customary in Conductive Education. An in-depth exchange on promoting adults with disabilities rounded off the warm and heartfelt visit.

However, in addition to their great interest and dedication, the ladies of the GAWC also brought something special with them: a donation check for 5,000 euros for the FortSchritt Association for the Promotion of Conductive Education e.V. “We are very grateful for this tremendous appreciation of our work,” said Tatijana von Quadt, the association’s chairwoman. “Conductive Education has been part of our mission for 30 years. During this time, we have been able to support numerous children, young people, and adults, helping them lead more independent lives. This was only possible through the tireless efforts of our volunteers and numerous donations. I sincerely thank the German-American Women’s Club of Munich for their long-standing, appreciative collaboration and their generous donation!”

Singer and songwriter Mona Meiller will perform two songs from her new solo album at this year’s Magnolienball. Last year, the Munich native placed fifth in the German preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest. The message behind her song “Katze”, performed as part of the duo Galant, drew significant attention. While the lyrics appear to describe the nature of a cat, they actually depict the behavior of people withdrawing into themselves after traumatic experiences. It is a message of freedom, self-acceptance, and cultural exchange.

On February 18, 2025, Mona Meiller, together with representatives of the German-American Women’s Club (GAWC), visited the charitable organization IMMA in Munich. On behalf of the GAWC, she linked her musical message to active support.

IMMA e.V. (Initiative for Munich Girls) is dedicated to improving the lives of girls and young women facing various challenges. IMMA provides counseling, protection, and guidance to help young women find their way: “Everyone has potential, even if it seems inaccessible due to difficult life experiences. Together, we search for it and encourage girls and young women throughout this process.” Each year, 1,200 girls and young women seek help from IMMA. The primary issues they face stem from physical, psychological, and sexual violence. A team of 140 staff members provides both outpatient and residential care. The residential support system consists of multiple shelters across Munich. Assistance is offered through educational and psychological support, social work, protective housing, and various therapeutic programs such as equine therapy, dance, and movement therapy.

At the Magnolienball on February 22, IMMA will receive a donation check for €10,000 from the German-American Women’s Club e.V. The check will be presented by Mona Meiller and GAWC President Andrea Hellmann to IMMA’s managing directors, Gundula Brunner and Sabine Wieninger.

In June, a small club delegation (Ina Anders, Johanna May, Bettina Siebel, Hannelore Demmel, and Andrea Lehner) visited the Ronald McDonald House at the German Heart Center. This facility provides a temporary home for families of critically ill children. For many years, the club has generously supported this institution on Lazarettstraße with donations. Claire Heinrich, who has been managing the house since April 2021, took a lot of time to answer our many questions after a tour. She is supported by three young full-time employees and another team member serving a voluntary social year (FSJ). However, without the 40 volunteer helpers, the tasks required by such a facility would be unmanageable. All families whose children are treated at the Heart Center have similar worries and fears, but different backgrounds and destinies. Whether from Munich or the surrounding area, from Germany or abroad, all parents and siblings are individually cared for and find a retreat at the Ronald McDonald House. A very special, soothing atmosphere is palpable in this house with its 24 apartments: cheerful and welcoming, calming and peaceful. An oasis for families in difficult times.

 More detailed Information can be found at www.mcdonalds-kinderhilfe.org

On Tuesday, June 4, Angelika Uthoff and Ulrike Kellner visited the Conductive Special Education Day Care Center at Mariahilfplatz, operated by Fortschritt gGmbH (formerly Fortschritt Bayern). The GAWC has supported this association for many, many years, practically since its beginnings 30 years ago.

It all began when the von Quadt couple discovered a healing method in Hungary that helped their son with spastic paralysis learn to walk. Inspired by the successes of this conductive education, they brought specially trained professionals, so-called conductors, to Germany and, together with other parents of children with spastic paralysis, founded the Fortschritt e.V. association. Today, the association operates over 40 day care centers, Conductive Special Education Day Care Centers, and various services related to the support of children with different disabilities. The goal is, of course, to create inclusive facilities wherever possible, where healthy children can develop alongside children with disabilities in the best possible way. More information about the rapid development and the wide range of services can be found on the website www.fortschritt-bayern.de.

Naturally, our expert Angelika Uthoff was familiar with the facility at Mariahilfplatz, as she has worked with many children who have been cared for there in her role in the mobile special education service. At the beginning of our visit, many memories of individual children and their successful development were shared. In addition to the facility manager, Mr. Arkadiusz Wojtalik, the daughter of the founders and current managing director of the association, Ms. Tatijana von Quadt, also took time for us. She impressively described the diverse tasks and challenges that lead to new projects and facilities. While in the past, mainly children with cerebral movement disorders were cared for and treated, today the conductive method is also very successfully used with children with autism spectrum disorders.

At the Special Education Day Care Center at Mariahilfplatz, 32 children and adolescents are currently being cared for in a kindergarten group, a preschool group, and a youth group. The facility also offers a program during the holidays, even on some Saturdays, so that parents can have a day off.

Since our visit took place in the morning, only the kindergarten group was present. We were allowed to watch their free play for a while and observe how lovingly and supportively the educators interacted with the children. The older children come after school, receive lunch, and participate in numerous special education activities after homework supervision. We were able to tour the primary school children's rooms and learn from the educators about their daily routine. In the so-called Lion Group, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders are supported. In these rooms, it was evident how important fixed structures and rules are for these children. The developmental goals that the children themselves develop in round discussions and that are evaluated every month are impressive. For each child, a poster hangs on the wall, formulating their goal and showing pictures of what helps achieve the goal and what behaviors should be avoided. For example, in this group, an Irish father gives the children English lessons, so English words are written everywhere on walls and objects. It is wonderful to see how the children are individually and comprehensively supported!