In a few weeks, a total of 95,800 euros was collected and paid out to those affected. In this way, the need has been eased a little, at least on the financial side.

“We were very moved by the terrible pictures,” remembers Lars von der Wellen, Head of the Central Personnel Department, of the dramatic situation in mid-July. The damage ranged from full cellars and destroyed furniture to scrap cars to uninhabitable apartments and enormous damage to the houses. Even 14 days after the torrential rain, there was still one employee who was cut off from the outside world. It quickly became clear that something had to happen.

This was followed by an appeal for donations on the intranet - and an enormous willingness to help. “We received 350 donations in a very short time, that was really overwhelming,” remembers Lars von der Wellen. Even employees who were on short-time work for months donated money and found supportive words. "That is just great and shows how strong the cohesion is in the Gauselmann Group."

After a few weeks, around 550 employees took part in the campaign and donated 85,000 euros. This amount was then topped up by the Paul and Karin Gauselmann Foundation as well as by the subsidiaries GeWeTe from Mechernich and MERKUR Casino GmbH. The bottom line was that 95,800 euros could be distributed to those in need.

The distribution mechanism was quickly found: First of all, all those affected received immediate aid of 2,000 euros. Due to the enormous damage, 14 of the 19 colleagues received additional support of 4,000 euros. “Thank you so much,” wrote Hermann Knöppel, for example, by email. "That shows me how great the willingness to help is within the group of companies."

Even if it is clear that the repair of the damage and the processing of the events will still take some time, the employees of the Gauselmann Group are in this difficult situation It became clear in the hour that they are not alone.