They have dedicated themselves to the welfare of the town and its residents. And they have done so to a remarkable degree. Christa Heinrich, Ralph Barholomäus and Herbert Müller were presented with the City of Kitzingen’s Volunteer Award on the evening of Wednesday 28 October. Mayor Dr Enis Tiz described it as an inspiring evening and thanked the three individuals who serve as role models. Three people who put their own needs aside to help others. “There is nothing more honourable than that,” said the mayor.
Ralph Bartholomäus
In 2007, a group of committed citizens from Kitzingen joined forces to prevent the town’s centuries-old heritage from being lost. With this aim in mind, the association ‘Die Deusterkeller e.V.’ was founded, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the historic cellar complexes. The association operates selflessly and is run entirely by volunteers. Ralph Bartholomäus has been its chairman since 2015. “Since then, he has led the association with great commitment and a lot of passion,” said the mayor. It is largely thanks to him that guided tours now take place regularly, particularly in close collaboration with the Kitzingen Tourist Information Centre. A particular highlight is the popular “tasting tours”. In addition, the association also offers bespoke tours and events for companies. Staff outings, group tours and special event formats for businesses from all over Bavaria and even Thuringia now take place in the Deusterkeller. When visitor groups are delighted after a guided tour, that is incentive enough for him and his team to carry on. Ralph Bartholomäus thanked the town for its support over the years and his team for their creative dedication. “I accept this award on behalf of all the ‘Kellerkinder’,” he said.
Christa Heinrich
She has been volunteering at the Kitzingen Weltladen since 1991 and, together with her team, works to raise awareness of fair working conditions and fairer trade relations. “Fair trade isn’t just about the products, but above all about the producers and their working conditions on the ground,” Dr Tiz pointed out.
In her acceptance speech, Christa Heinrich admitted that at first she had not wanted to accept the award at all. “I don’t like being the centre of attention.” But then she thought it over again and changed her mind. “Perhaps I can serve as an example to others.” Unfortunately, she said, there are still far too many people who are completely unaware of their responsibilities as consumers and of the ways in which they can have a positive impact on the living conditions of local producers. She expressed her gratitude to the many early supporters, all of whom share a common goal: to make the world a fairer place. Christa Heinrich invited everyone present to visit the charming shop on Obere Kirchgasse. “There’s plenty to discover here.”
Herbert Müller
For more than 20 years, Herbert Müller has been in charge of the office responsible for issuing eligibility cards for the Kitzingen Food Bank. But that is only a small part of his work. Right from the start, he has stood out for his exceptional dedication, great reliability and the passion he puts into his work. A tangible expression of his work and the esteem in which he is held by the now more than 80 volunteers at the Kitzingen Food Bank is his nickname: Papa Teresa. “He simply helps wherever he can,” said his wife and the association’s chairwoman, Katharina Müller.
“I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d receive such an honorary award,” said the 80-year-old. Over the years, he has had a wealth of wonderful experiences. Being there for others and helping them without red tape is a daily source of motivation for his voluntary work – which he continues to carry out with dedication despite health problems. The growing number of people seeking help is what motivates him to continue raising funds and helping those in need – regardless of their nationality.
Mayor Dr Enis Tiz paid tribute to all the honorary award winners and expressed great respect for their “can-do attitude”. “They roll up their sleeves and carry on, even when circumstances are not always easy,” he said. As the town of Kitzingen, he added, they could only say thank you and spread the message of the evening far and wide: volunteering keeps our country running.
The ceremony was accompanied by the saxophone ensemble from the Kitzingen Music School.