The staff of PaaPii Design Oy in Kokkola wiped tears from their eyes after receiving a call from an anonymous private individual who wanted to donate 50,000€ worth of new children's clothing to families in need through the registered charity association Hope. About 1,100 pieces of PaaPii children's clothing were packed and sent across Finland to await Christmas Eve. The donation was inspired by a story of an unforgettable Christmas Eve that the donor wished to recreate for children in need.
Demand for assistance has increased this Autumn and the number of families seeking help from the charity association Hope has grown, with a significant need for support. The majority of their clientele consists of single-parent families, but the latest client survey reveals an increase in two-parent families seeking assistance as well. The charity association Hope supports low-income families with tangible donations of clothing and goods, as well as by providing funding for hobbies and leisure activities. All of this is made possible solely through donations.
“We were thrilled to hear about the donation and it felt particularly wonderful that a kind-hearted donor wanted to support both a Finnish company and, through them, low-income families across Finland. There is a great need for comfortable everyday clothing for daycare and school and PaaPii’s clothes perfectly meet this need. Especially during the Christmas season, it’s heartwarming to see people willing to help,” says Eveliina Hostila, Executive Director of Hope.
Donations continue a tradition of charity
Since 2018, PaaPii Design has run an annual charity campaign with The charity association Hope as an alternative to Black Friday advertising. For every five garments sold during the campaign, the Paapii has donated one piece of clothing to low-income families. This year, the campaign, in collaboration with customers of PaaPii and its sister brand Finsket, collected 70 garments for Hope.
Thanks to the 50,000€ donation from an anonymous benefactor, over 1,100 pieces of children's clothing in organic cotton were provided. These garments were sent to Hope offices in Hyvinkää, Hämeenlinna, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kajaani, Kokkola, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Lohja, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Seinäjoki, Turku and Vaasa. The charity association Hope will handle the distribution of the clothes to families in need.
“It feels incredibly meaningful that the donor chose to support clothing production in Finland while helping children in such a tangible way. This private individual’s donation is like the crowning jewel of a tradition that has already lasted seven years,” said Anniina Isokangas, CEO of PaaPii Design.
A Single gift – A childhood Christmas memory sparked the desire to help
What inspired the private individual to make such a generous donation? The donor wishes to remain anonymous but shared their thoughts, reflecting on how great the need might be for many. A Christmas gift can mean a lot to anyone, but especially to children. The donor's hope was that as many children as possible would receive a gift on Christmas Eve and have the joy of wearing pajamas gifted by Santa.
"I have a memory from my own childhood, from the post-war era when nothing was available. There were no fruits, no chocolate, nothing at all—no ready-made clothes or even fabrics. Back then, you might have gotten fabric under the counter at a shop if you were lucky. One Christmas, we received nightgowns and pajamas as gifts. My mother had sewn them herself, having managed to find the fabric from somewhere. We put them on that Christmas Eve and spent the entire evening in the sleepwear. It was an unforgettable gift. This donation is rooted in that memory. I felt that some people just need help," the anonymous donor explained.
