On December 24, 2025, the traditional "Waiting for the Christ Child" event took place once again at Graz Airport, attracting numerous visitors to the departure hall. In addition to the entertainment program for families, the charitable cause was the main focus. The airport cooperated with the aid organization Help4Kids, which placed donation boxes in the terminal. The airport's management, represented by Wolfgang Grimus and Jürgen Löschnig, has now announced that the company has supplemented the donations collected from visitors with an additional contribution of €2.000. The total sum will be used specifically to provide relief in the daily lives of families with children with disabilities.
Susanne Jagsch, president of Help4Kids, emphasized the importance of this annual campaign for the organization's work. The donated funds finance special respite and recreational days for affected families in Styria, who often face significant financial and time constraints in their daily lives. The organization focuses its work on providing direct, local support and promoting social inclusion. Through its collaboration with the airport, a key public transportation hub, the organization regularly succeeds in raising public awareness of the needs of children with special needs and generating necessary funding for therapy and respite programs.
Further research on the "Waiting for Santa" event reveals that Graz Airport has been using this format as an integral part of its regional engagement for many years. While the children observe the activities on the apron or participate in craft stations, the platform serves as a forum for exchange between businesses and social institutions. In this context, the airport sees itself as a meeting place that extends beyond its mere transportation function. In economically volatile times, when many social budgets are being cut, private and corporate donations represent an essential pillar for the work of aid organizations like Help4Kids.
The use of funds is documented by the Help4Kids association, with a focus on creating "moments of hope." This includes, for example, covering the costs of short stays or special leisure activities tailored to the needs of children with disabilities. For Graz Airport, increasing the donation amount is part of its corporate responsibility to the region. Since flight operations are traditionally reduced on Christmas Day, the terminal provides the space for such large-scale public events, which would not be possible on this scale without the support of regional partners and the generosity of passengers.