A series of Christmas events supports Prague's homeless this holiday season

This holiday season is an especially cold one, but a series of events leading up to Christmas will support Prague's homeless population through the winter months. The initiative is organized by FriendShip Prague, a network of Czechs and expats that strive to support the local homeless population through donations and charity events.

The events go in tandem with FriendShip Prague's annual Christmas Socks for the Homeless campaign, which invites contributors to fill a pair of warm socks with small gifts for Prague's homeless. Last year, 600 pairs of socks were donated and distributed.

If you'd like to donate a pair of Christmas socks to a member of Prague's homeless population this year, FriendShip asks gift-givers to fill up a pair of warm socks with travel-size sanitary items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel, hand cream, hand wipes and lip balm), Christmas sweets, and a holiday message.

The Christmas stockings can be donated at Dům Radost in Žižkov through December 16 to ensure distribution by Christmas. Detailed instructions for how to prepare the Christmas socks can be found here.

On Sunday, December 11, a Christmas Charity Event at Prague's Little Mole International Preschool will include an all-day Christmas market with baked goods, hand-made crafts, and second hand clothes, a children's workshop, and a charity yoga class that focuses on breathing, meditation, and movement.

Proceeds from the event will go directly towards helping Prague's homeless this winter, with funds raised being used to purchase necessities like hats, scarves, gloves, and sleeping bags.

Next Saturday, December 17, FriendShip will host the second edition of their special Christmas Lunch for the homeless on Prague's Štvanice Island from 2:00 p.m. by the Bike Jesus club. During the lunch, Christmas socks and other items collected will be distributed to those in need.

If you'd like to volunteer for the Christmas lunch and support Prague's homeless at the event, you can register through this Facebook event.

Lastly, on Tuesday, December 20, a free screening of the Czech Christmas classic Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tři oříšky pro Popelku) will be held from 5:00 p.m. at Prague's Kino Ponrepo.

In addition to food and other necessities, the screening will help spread a little holiday cheer for those who may not be a little short on it this year. The movie will be presented with English subtitles for those who don't speak Czech.

If you can't attend the charity events but would still like to support Prague's homeless this winter season, you can do so through FriendShip Prague's ongoing Darujme campaign. The network supports Prague's homeless throughout the year during weekly events, and contributions and additional volunteers are always welcome.