New guardian of the hiking trails: Förtsch brings a breath of fresh air to the volunteer!

New guardian of the hiking trails: Förtsch brings a breath of fresh air to the volunteer!

Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Deutschland - Frank Förtsch is the new district path for the regions of Rhön and Grabfeld in the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen. The 62-year-old from Untermändfeld now volunteers to look after and maintain the hiking trails. During the last district meeting, Förtsch was appointed to his new volunteering by District Administrator Peggy Greiser. At the greeting, he received small gifts from the region who made his new role even more festive. Förtsch, which goes into old-age pension in November, has a lot of experience in dealing with forest and hallway as a leisure hunter, which will be of great benefit in its new function.

Volunteering: A pillar for the community

In Germany, around 31 million people show a strong interest in becoming a volunteer. As the Rhön Canal reports, the activities are very diverse: whether in sports clubs, retirement homes, in the emergency services or at the fire brigade - support is needed everywhere. The volunteering not only enriches living together, but also offers help in numerous life situations. The district of Rhön-Grabfeld promotes volunteering through a specially furnished coordination office, which acts as a central point of contact for all volunteers.

The “Voluntary Performing Position” event series is currently running in the district. Topics that are important for clubs and volunteers are dealt with here. A highlight was the last event on e-bills for clubs available on the district's YouTube channel. Future topics include the introduction of artificial intelligence on January 28, 2025 as well as funding opportunities and tax tips for clubs. These events offer the committed people the opportunity to continue their education and to expand their skills.

growing importance of volunteering

worldwide, volunteering is a voluntary, unpaid activity that is essential for social engagement. According to Statista, volunteering also includes donations and other financial activities. For example, sports clubs are among the most common forms of engagement in Germany, with approximately 86,000 sports clubs. In addition to the sporting possibilities, over a million people in the volunteer fire brigade and around 900,000 in the Evangelical Church in Germany are also involved in various tasks.

volunteers are also more in demand from tables and charitable organizations such as the German Red Cross. It is important not only to take these questions into account, but above all actively act in order to strengthen the community and promote cohesion.

Especially at a time when social engagement is more valued than ever, the contribution of people like Frank Förtsch is an indispensable size. Every little step in volunteering makes a difference - and the path is often a bit out into nature. This gives people the opportunity not only to work for others, but also to be a valuable part of the community themselves.