Poland's largest annual charity fundraiser, the Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity), shattered records once again in its 33rd edition, demonstrating the resilience of Polish civil society despite years of hostile government propaganda and political attacks.
The marathon, known universally as WOŚP, raised over 300 million złoty (approximately €70 million) in a single day, surpassing last year's already impressive total. The funds will purchase medical equipment for children's hospitals and cancer treatment facilities across Poland.
"This is about more than money," said Jerzy Owsiak, the rock musician and journalist who founded WOŚP in 1993. "Every year we prove that Polish society remains generous, engaged, and immune to cynical manipulation from those who tried to destroy us."
In Poland, as across Central Europe, history is never far from the surface—and neither is the memory of occupation. WOŚP's endurance through political attacks reflects a broader pattern of civil society institutions that survived communist control and continue to resist attempts at political capture.
The charity faced relentless hostility during the Law and Justice (PiS) government's eight years in power, with state media broadcasting conspiracy theories about Owsiak's finances and questioning the foundation's transparency despite clean audits. Pro-government politicians accused the charity of serving foreign interests and undermining traditional Catholic charitable institutions.
The smear campaign reached its peak in 2019 when Paweł Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdańsk and a prominent WOŚP supporter, was assassinated by a man who had absorbed years of hateful rhetoric from state media. The murder shocked Poland but failed to silence the charity.
"They tried everything," explained Agnieszka Wiśniewska, a media analyst at Warsaw University. "State television ran coordinated attacks. Pro-government media called for boycotts. They even promoted alternative Catholic charities. Nothing worked. Polish people kept donating."
This year's fundraiser drew over 120,000 volunteers who collected donations on streets across Poland and at events in more than 1,500 locations worldwide, from Chicago to Dublin to Sydney. The distinctive red heart logo appeared everywhere—on collection boxes, t-shirts, and in shop windows—creating a massive display of civic engagement.
The event's format has remained consistent for three decades: volunteers collect donations throughout the day, celebrities participate in televised fundraising events, and the total is announced during a grand finale concert in Warsaw. What has changed is the political context and what the charity's success represents.
"WOŚP became a referendum on pluralism," said Rafał Trzaskowski, Warsaw's mayor and a vocal charity supporter. "Supporting the foundation meant defending civil society against political interference. The record fundraising shows Polish democracy remains vigorous despite attempts to undermine it."
The charity's transparency practices exceed legal requirements, with detailed financial reports published online and all expenditures documented. Independent auditors verify accounts annually, and the foundation maintains one of the lowest administrative overhead ratios of any major charity in Europe—less than 2% of funds raised.
Over 33 years, WOŚP has raised more than 2.2 billion złoty, purchasing over 73,000 pieces of medical equipment for Polish hospitals. The foundation's distinctive ambulances, equipped with advanced life-support systems, operate across the country. Incubators, ventilators, and diagnostic machines bearing the red heart logo serve millions of patients annually.
"My daughter is alive because of WOŚP equipment," said Katarzyna Kowalska, a mother from Poznań. "When politicians attacked the charity, we remembered who was there when families needed help. It wasn't the government—it was ordinary people donating złoty into collection boxes."
The record fundraising occurs as Poland navigates political transition following PiS's electoral defeat in 2023. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition government has ended state media's hostility toward the charity, but WOŚP's organizers remain cautious about political engagement.
"We don't want government support," Owsiak emphasized. "We want to be left alone to do our work. Polish people will keep supporting us because we deliver results and remain independent of political games."
The charity's resilience offers lessons about civil society survival in polarized democracies. Despite controlling state media, deploying sophisticated propaganda, and mobilizing government resources against WOŚP, PiS failed to undermine public trust in the foundation.
"This shows the limits of state propaganda," explained Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs in Warsaw. "When institutions maintain transparency, deliver concrete results, and operate with clear values, they can withstand political attacks. WOŚP proved that civil society can be stronger than propaganda."
The foundation has also adapted to changing donation patterns, implementing modern payment systems that allow instant transfers via smartphone while maintaining traditional collection boxes for those who prefer cash donations. This technological evolution helped attract younger donors while preserving the charity's grassroots character.
International Polish communities remain deeply engaged, with major fundraising events organized in cities across Europe, North America, and Australia. For the Polish diaspora, WOŚP represents connection to home and participation in a shared civic ritual that transcends geographical distance.
As the final totals were announced on Sunday evening, massive crowds gathered in Warsaw for the traditional fireworks display, celebrating not just the money raised but the enduring strength of Polish solidarity against those who sought to divide it.
"They tried to silence us, intimidate us, delegitimize us," Owsiak told the cheering crowd. "We responded by raising more money, helping more children, and proving that generosity cannot be destroyed by hatred. This is Poland at its best."
