We know: one-off actions are well-meaning but rarely sustainable. That’s why, in 2005, we consolidated the funds designated for charitable efforts and all the group's nonprofit activities into a foundation. This allows us to help young people in a focused, effective, and sustainable way.

Today, we mainly, though not exclusively, support projects benefiting children and youth in the Rhineland region.

The Family Office "Am Gustav," supported by the LIGHT Foundation, offers a valuable program for children aged 6 to 12, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, called "Schlemmerpänz." This project focuses on cooking and baking together, where each week, a new recipe is prepared under guidance.

"Schlemmerpänz" not only gives children the opportunity to enjoy cooking and baking, but also teaches them essential life skills. The children actively participate in the planning and execution of cooking and baking activities, learning how to handle food and gaining knowledge of healthy nutrition. The shared preparation and enjoyment of meals fosters a sense of community and imparts important social skills to the children.

The Family Office "Mittendrin" represents another important initiative of the LIGHT Foundation. It targets children from the social area of Hürth Mitte and surrounding areas, ranging from 1st to 10th grade. This program aims to provide specific learning support and homework assistance.

The focus of the "Mittendrin" Family Office is the individual development of each child. Special attention is given to addressing the specific learning difficulties and areas of focus for each child. The support takes place directly on site, allowing for effective review of learning materials and homework. This significantly contributes to breaking down educational barriers and creating equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their social or financial background.

Through this targeted support, the "Mittendrin" Family Office offers a valuable resource for children and young people who need additional help in their education.

The post-school period is the focus of the FischNET advice center. It supports young people in the career decision-making process, helping to improve their chances of securing an apprenticeship, job, or internship. The services, which include assistance in creating application documents, interview training, and teaching job-relevant soft skills, are available free of charge to young people and adults up to the age of 27 in Hürth and the Rhein-Erft district. The center is run by the Catholic Youth Agency of Cologne gGmbH, with funding from the Federal Employment Agency, the city of Hürth, and the Archdiocese of Cologne.

Among the projects supported by the LIGHT Foundation is the football project by KIDsmiling e.V. Thanks to the organization, up to 350 boys and girls aged 6 to 18 train in football each week at nearly 20 locations with experienced and pedagogically trained coaches. The playful concept fosters cooperation among the youth and strengthens their self-confidence.

The Christmas campaign of the Hürth Food Bank, supported by the LIGHT Foundation and carried out in collaboration with TALKE apprentices, is a shining example of commitment and community spirit. Every year, numerous gifts are purchased and lovingly wrapped for children and teenagers from low-income families in the region. The selection of gifts is made with great care, ensuring that they are tailored to the needs of different age groups from 0 to 14 years old. This guarantees that every child receives a suitable present during the festive season. The gifts are then handed over to the Hürth Food Bank, which distributes them to children in need as part of a Christmas celebration. Through this initiative, TALKE and its apprentices demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility and solidarity within the local community.

If you would like to donate:

Kreissparkasse Köln
THK LIGHT live in greater hope
IBAN: DE59 3705 0299 0000 6761 20
BIC: COKSDE33XXX

A donation receipt will be provided upon request.