Via Foundation supports children and young people who want to give back to their communities – by raising money to help those in need, collaboratively improving their communities or restoring the landscape. Today we take a look at three groups of young changemakers supported through Via’s Young Philanthropists program.
BUDIŠOV NAD BUDIŠOVKA: A HOLIDAY MIRACLE FOR MOTOL HOSPITAL
A group of friends from the small town of Budišov nad Budišovkou decided to make the 2025 holidays special for those in need. “We love Christmas. We wanted to do something to bring joy to people who really need it,” explained Miroslav Fišer, the group’s patron.
They held a large holiday benefit event called “The Miracle of Christmas” in the town’s cultural hall to raise money for cancer patients at Motol Hospital in Prague. Musical performances, holiday workshops with elves and a visit from Santa Claus made the evening fun for local residents. Before the event, Miroslav told us: “We’re hoping that everyone will enjoy the evening’s festivities and hoping most of all that we will raise money to help cancer patients”. Both wishes came true – the event brought people together for a fun evening, and they raised $1,400 and got another $900 through Via’s matching program.
CHŘÍČ: SIX STUDENTS GOT THE VILLAGE DANCING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
A group of six classmates from the small village of Chříč, located north of Pilsen, initiated a school community project to connect the school, residents, and the local brewery – all for a good cause. They designed an event they called Chříč Dance to raise money for Diocesan Caritas Pilsen, which helps the elderly, disabled, refugees, and other people in need. “Chříč Dance was the students’ brainchild from start to finish,” explained the group’s patron and teacher Tereza Květoňová. The students chose the music, designed the dance choreography and brought enough laughter and fun to infect everyone. They raised $780 for the Diocesan Caritas’ Rainbow club, where differently-abled children and young people enjoy extracurricular activities. “Chříč Dance turned out great – the kids learned a lot organizing the event and realized that they have agency to positively influence other people’s lives,” added Tereza.
SMÍCHOV, PRAGUE: FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED
Young volunteers from the Smíchov Community Space run a monthly gathering offering food and connection to people in need. They bring together individuals facing hardship, including people from the elderly population, single mothers, refugees from Ukraine and others. The young people cook, using surplus food, in a community kitchen in front of the building, where everyone can interact, chat and get assistance if necessary. The young team wants to provide good food and connect people, reduce food waste, learn to cook using what’s available, and do it all with heartfelt respect for people who are struggling.
