Saxony Recognizes 25,000 Volunteers with Discount Card, Expanding to Restaurants

Thousands of volunteers in the German state of Saxony are receiving tangible benefits for their dedication to community service through the "Ehrenamtskarte" (Volunteer Card). The program, now in its sixth iteration, has issued approximately 25,000 cards to individuals recognized for their significant contributions.

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Volunteering is the glue that holds our society together.

This initiative offers cardholders discounts at more than 240 participating businesses and cultural institutions. These include major attractions like the State Art Collections in Dresden and the Chemnitz Archaeological Museum, as well as various theaters and public swimming pools. Recently, the program expanded to include restaurants, with three establishments in Dresden and Leipzig already on board, signaling a broader effort to integrate volunteer recognition into everyday life.

"Volunteering is the glue that holds our society together," stated Jens Dzurny, president of the regional hospitality association Dehoga. He emphasized that the millions of hours contributed by volunteers are invaluable and cannot be easily replaced. The expansion into the gastronomy sector is seen as a way for the industry to express gratitude for this essential work.

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Many millions of hours of voluntary engagement cannot be paid for or replaced.

Monika Nicklisch, a long-time cardholder who volunteers at a night shelter, finds the card most useful for cultural outings. Lukas Keller, who volunteers with a sports club, sees the expansion into restaurants as a positive development that could make the card more appealing, especially to younger people. The card, first introduced in 2010 and valid until the end of 2027 in its current form, serves as a crucial acknowledgment of the vital role volunteers play in Saxony.

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This expansion into gastronomy is a way for the industry to say thank you.