What is the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity

Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity) is the biggest and most prosperous charity organization in Poland. Its objectives, included in the status document, are saving children's lives, health promotion and education in the field of preventive treatment. Between 1993 and 2006 The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has collected and spent over $65 mln for saving lives. Besides humanitarian work, the Foundation is also a powerful medium spreading the ideology of kindness, friendship, tolerance, and openness.

The Great Finale is the basis for all the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity's projects. It is one day long, nation-wide money gathering. All the revenues are turned over to The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Such attitude allows us to achieve one of the most important goals which is creating the spirit of community, friendship, and unity.

In the past years the GOCC was gathering money for cardio-surgery for children, neonatology, pediatric oncology, rescue of accidents' victims, treatment for kidney's diseases and for congenital defects.
This year, on the 16th Finale, we will be gathering money for medical equipment that can save children with diseases of ears, nose, throat and larynx (for example children with tumours in these areas or with severe burns of respiratory tract).

The GOCC is all around the World. Polish communities living abroad have been organizing events celebrating Finals for many years. Wherever there’s Polish spirit, there’s also the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity!