The Movement of the First launched the All-Russian campaign "New Year Tree of Wishes" at the National Centre RUSSIA

On November 21, a press conference dedicated to the launch of the All-Russian campaign "New Year Tree of Wishes" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event was part of the "Be with the First!" Partner Event of the Movement of the First and took the form of a theatrical program, transitioning into a press conference.

Ahead of the New Year holidays, the Movement of the First, with the support of Rosmolodezh.Dobro, is launching the All-Russian campaign "New Year Tree of Wishes." The goal of this initiative is to bring a touch of New Year's magic and joy to children who are in difficult life situations. The campaign gives everyone the opportunity to perform good deeds by fulfilling the New Year's wishes of children in need of support.

"The 'New Year Tree of Wishes' campaign has been implemented since 2018 across Russia and every year it brings together thousands of people ready to do good deeds. Thanks to our collective efforts, more than 210,000 children's New Year's wishes have been fulfilled over the past six years. More and more people are ready to participate in such charitable activities, become volunteers, and provide assistance within their capacity. Over this period, more than 88,000 performers and 1,500 partner organizations have joined the campaign," shared Artur Orlov, Chairman of the Movement of the First.

He also spoke about a new category added this year: children from families residing permanently in Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk regions, or those who have suffered and been forced to leave their homes due to shelling.

"These children face multiple challenges, from losing loved ones to the destruction of their familiar environment. They need positive emotions, and it is important for society to unite and provide support at all levels," emphasized Artur Orlov.

The "New Year Tree of Wishes" campaign has been held since 2018, covering the entire country and bringing together thousands of people willing to do good deeds. Over the six years of the campaign's existence, more than 210,000 children's New Year's wishes have been fulfilled. Every year, representatives from government agencies, commercial organizations, and concerned citizens participate in this important initiative. The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, also joins the campaign annually.

This year, the campaign not only expands the categories of participants but also broadens its mission. The "New Year Tree of Wishes" is becoming an ecosystem that brings together various forms of targeted support for those in need of a New Year's miracle. The project will be implemented using the infrastructure of the Movement of the First across all regions of Russia. The campaign leader, Timur Safin, noted that this year, our compatriots from neighboring countries will also join the initiative. They are also citizens of our country and will now also be able to fulfill children's wishes and contribute to creating New Year's magic.

"The 'New Year Tree of Wishes' is not just a charity project; it is an ecosystem of good deeds that gives children faith in miracles and support of the society. Each of us can change another person's life by fulfilling a cherished wish and experience how it changes us as well. This year, we are making the campaign even more accessible and expansive: expanding the categories of participants, introducing new formats of interaction, and inviting our compatriots from neighboring countries to join. Together, we can create an atmosphere of magic and care that will inspire thousands of people," said Timur Safin, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First and Leader of the All-Russian campaign "New Year Tree of Wishes."

Children aged 3 to 17 who are in difficult life situations can participate in the campaign. This includes children with health conditions, orphans, children left without parental care, those from low-income families, as well as children from families of participants in the Special Military Operation, and those living in new regions of Russia.

An important part of the campaign is the volunteer community, which makes the project grow larger and reach more people in need of help every year. Over 10,000 volunteers have already joined the initiative, helping at all stages of its implementation: from informing about the project to organizing events and fulfilling wishes. Yulia Ustinova, Head of the "Rosmolodezh.Dobro" department, spoke about the significant role of volunteers in the campaign.

"Volunteers are real magicians who create miracles with their hands, bringing joy and warmth to those who find themselves in difficult life situations. Over the years of the campaign, more than 10,000 volunteers have joined. Thanks to their efforts, the 'New Year Tree of Wishes' is becoming more expansive, reaching more people and creating a festive atmosphere. What is especially important is that in 2024, the Year of Volunteering in CIS countries, the campaign will go beyond Russia. Similar initiatives will take place abroad, aiming to fulfill the cherished dreams of children who truly need it. Volunteering is not just support; it is a belief in the good and warmth that can change lives," said Yulia Ustinova, Head of "Rosmolodyozh.Dobro."

In addition to concerned citizens, the support of commercial organizations, partners of the "New Year Tree of Wishes" campaign, plays an important role. Every year, organizations such as VK, Sber, Avtodor, United Grain Company, LokoTech-Signal, and thousands of other partners join the campaign. Over the course of the campaign, more than 88,000 performers and 1,500 partner organizations have joined.

"Attracting large partners, especially from business, plays a crucial role in the development of projects like 'New Year Tree of Wishes.' With their support, the initiative can significantly expand its scope, fulfill more wishes, and draw wide attention to socially beneficial causes and charity. We are happy to be partners of this initiative. Participation in such projects helps companies strengthen corporate culture and unite teams around good deeds. This is not only a contribution to charity, but also an investment in societal development and building trust-based relationships with employees and clients," shared Dmitry Uvarov, Director of Strategic Partnerships at VK.

Each year, the campaign receives thousands of children's wishes, both material and immaterial. For example, in 2019, William Khailo took part in the All-Russian campaign "New Year Tree of Wishes," and his dream was to play the violin with a symphonic orchestra. On December 28, 2019, his dream was fulfilled at the Great Hall of the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory. He performed "The Best Strauss Waltzes" with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.

"Children's dreams are a reflection of our souls, hopes, and aspirations. When a childhood wish comes true, it is not just joy; it is a deep mark on the heart that stays with us for life. In adulthood, these moments become a source of strength and inspiration, helping us overcome difficulties and move toward our goals. By fulfilling children's dreams, we not only bring happiness here and now, but also lay the foundation for future victories and achievements. That is why it is important to support campaigns like 'New Year Tree of Wishes'," said William Khailo, a participant of the All-Russian "New Year Tree of Wishes" campaign whose wish was fulfilled in 2019.

The campaign will be held in two formats – offline and online – to make participation as convenient as possible for all those interested. In the offline format, New Year trees with children's wishes will be installed at the offices of partner organizations and at major events, where participants can choose a wish to fulfill. The online format will allow participants to select a wish on the campaign's website, choosing a convenient gift amount and the region in which they are willing to fulfill the wish.

In 2024, declared the Year of the Family in Russia, the Movement of the First, together with the charity foundation "Vyruchaem," ("We Are Helping") is launching the campaign "Holiday on the Table." Its goal is to provide food support to families with children whose income is below the minimum living wage. The campaign offers everyone the opportunity to contribute to creating a New Year’s mood for those who especially need it, providing them with the main attribute of the holiday — the festive table, which unites generations and brings warmth and comfort.

Applications for participation are accepted through the official website елкажеланий.рф, and for donors, there is an online format available on the platform праздникнастол.рф, where they can choose a convenient way to participate: purchase a food certificate of a fixed denomination or make a one-time donation. Anyone can join the campaign — individuals, commercial companies, and government institutions.

The New Year Tree of Wishes has truly become a nationwide campaign — a unique tradition of Russia. It reminds us how important mercy and humanitarianism are, bringing people together and allowing everyone to contribute to fulfilling children’s dreams. Children, their happiness, and their future are the main value for our society. The New Year Tree of Wishes gives everyone the opportunity to become part of a big kind mission, turning small dreams into reality and making the world around a little warmer and brighter.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The first event at the National Centre RUSSIA was the International Symposium "Inventing the Future," which welcomed more than 6,000 guests from 101 countries.