More than 300,000 older people living in Romania\u2019s urban areas are expected to spend Christmas alone, according to data cited by the NGO Niciodat\u0103 Singur \u2013 Friends of the Elderly, which recently launched its annual holiday campaign aimed at tackling loneliness among seniors.<\/p>\n
The initiative, titled \u201cBe the Carol That Breaks the Silence,\u201d is based on a national study conducted by Niciodat\u0103 Singur in partnership with Kantar Romania. The research shows that three out of five elderly people in cities feel lonely, while one in seven experiences severe loneliness, a situation that becomes more acute during the holiday season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For many seniors, Christmas passes without visits, shared meals, or social interaction.<\/p>\n
The campaign seeks to raise awareness of senior isolation and encourage long-term support rather than one-off holiday gestures. Its message reframes the traditional idea of \u201cSilent Night\u201d as a reminder of the daily silence faced by many older people, urging individuals and companies to contribute through recurring donations and sustained involvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Christmas, we often celebrate silence as something beautiful. But for many older people, silence is not a choice \u2014 it\u2019s a painful reality,\u201d said Valentin Georgescu, Executive Director of Niciodat\u0103 Singur \u2013 Friends of the Elderly. \u201cThe study we conducted this year with Kantar shows just how widespread loneliness is and how important constant support really is. Through this campaign, we\u2019re inviting people to turn a carol into something tangible: a visit, a conversation, a real human connection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Niciodat\u0103 Singur supported more than 600 seniors across Romanian cities throughout 2025, providing regular home visits, social activities, and shared holiday meals, alongside long-term relationships built through volunteer engagement. The organization aims to expand these programs through its Christmas campaign, ensuring continued support beyond the festive period.<\/p>\n
Those who wish to get involved can do so through online donations, monthly contributions, or by sending an SMS with the text \u201c\u00ceMPREUN\u0102\u201d to 8845. Companies can also support the campaign by redirecting up to 20% of their corporate income tax, in line with Romania\u2019s Sponsorship Law.<\/p>\n