It hits the whole family hard when a child or an adult is struck by an acute life-threatening illness. So hard that the many daily tasks become an immense burden on top of managing the life-threatening illness. At the same time, many young people are struggling – suffering from loneliness, depression, or anxiety.

But both groups can do something for each other. This is shown by the organization 'Det kærlige måltid', which with a donation of 100,000 kroner from 'Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit og Kjeld', which owns Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rentals A/S, can help even more young people and families.

The donation from 'Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit og Kjeld' will make a significant difference for the organization, says founder and director Charlotte Thyberg.

DIRECTOR: YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN NEW SKILLS, GAIN SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND DO GOOD FOR OTHERS

– We are a small organization with big ambitions to make a difference for both families affected by illness and our fantastic young volunteers. A donation of 100,000 kroner is incredibly significant for 'Det kærlige måltid'. With the money from Sol og Strand, we can help even more families in 2022 and simultaneously create the best environment in the kitchen for the volunteers. We are very happy and proud to be one of the ten organizations that Sol og Strand has chosen to support.

– In the kitchens, the young volunteers build a strong community, where the focus is on making a difference for people in crisis while also having a good afternoon together. They learn new skills, are taught good kitchen hygiene, sustainability, cooking, and quality ingredients. For the vulnerable youth, the kitchen is a safe space where they can be with other young people on their own terms. Conversations arise more easily over pots and cutting boards, and all the young people share the joy of making such a significant difference for those affected by illness. Each week, the young people also write a personal card to the recipients, and often they experience receiving mail back the following week with thanks for both the food and the card, says Charlotte Thyberg.

”HOLIDAY WITH A GOOD HEART” – THE PROFITS BENEFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, NOT CAPITAL FUNDS

It is unique in the Danish tourism industry that the vast majority of the profits from Sol og Strand's rental of summer houses and holiday homes over a few years are converted into support for charitable and local causes. Instead of ending up in foreign capital funds and money tanks.

The chairman of the fund's board, Jens Stadum, is pleased that both homeowners, holiday guests, and employees have contributed input to the process – and that the fund can now distribute one million kroner to charitable purposes for the second year in a row:

– We can see from the applications – and from the feedback we receive from last year's recipients of donations from ”Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit and Kjeld” – that the money makes an important difference for many of the people who are struggling and facing challenges. And this applies both in Denmark and outside Danish borders. There is a real need for money, says the chairman.

– We can say with a clear conscience that you contribute to doing something good for others when you take a holiday through Sol og Strand. This is what we call ”Holiday with a good heart,” says Jens Stadum.

– We have already decided that we will open for applications for the next distribution pool after the summer of 2022, so that next year in December we can also allocate 1 million kroner to good causes. Our expectation is that from 2023 we can distribute even larger amounts from the fund. Just like this year, the plan going forward is to gather input from homeowners, holiday guests, and employees at Sol og Strand when we open for applications for the next distributions, says Jens Stadum.

FOUNDERS OF THE FOUNDATION: SOL OG STRAND MUST REMAIN DANISH – AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

It is the founders of Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S, Margit and Kjeld Andersen, who established the "Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld".

The couple had a dual wish – namely to keep Sol og Strand in Danish hands, but also to ensure that the company's profits primarily go to charitable and humanitarian purposes.

– We have received the money we need. And we can see that others can greatly benefit from it if we channel the profits further to humanitarian and charitable purposes. We are confirmed in this when we see the long line of qualified applications that have come to the foundation again this year, says Kjeld Andersen, who, together with his wife Margit Andersen, established Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental 42 years ago.

Margit Andersen adds:

– We are very pleased to see the quality of the work we donate money to. It is clear that the applications come from organizations that are passionate about making a difference. And that is what matters to us, says Margit Andersen.

FURTHER COMMENTS:

Jens Stadum,
chairman of the board of "Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld",
tel. 40 85 67 33

Kristian Andersen,
PR and press manager at Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S,
tel. 40 29 38 37