An Advent project since 2014
Darujme úsmev: specific help for specific families
Not a box for “someone in need”. Winter boots, size 32, for Samuel. A washing machine for a family near Bardejov. A school bag for Lea. A family writes down what it needs, you pick one item.
13th edition: 11 November to 6 December 2026
We open on St Martin's day and close on St Nicholas' day, as every year. The list of families opens on 11 November.
People in the field write down the needs
FMA sisters, Salesians, Slovak Catholic Charity workers and other partners across Slovakia know the families all year. In autumn they write down what each family really needs.
You pick one item
From 11 November the list of families is on this site. You choose a specific item and reserve it with your email, or send money and we buy the item.
Volunteers deliver it
Bring the item to a collection point by 6 December. In December volunteers sort, wrap and drive the gifts to the families, before Christmas.
Four forms of help
Specific items
An item from a family's list: clothes, shoes, school supplies, long-life food, toiletries, appliances. It does not have to be new, but never give what you would not want to receive yourself.
Shoeboxes
Gifts for a child packed in a shoebox, labelled with the child's age and gender from the list. Books, sweets, toys, something personal.
Money
With money donations we buy the items nobody picked and support the studies of young people from poorer families. We buy appliances wholesale at a discount.
Prayer
For many donors and families it is an essential part of the project. We keep the families and the donors in our prayers, and you are welcome to join.
Collection points
The main warehouse is in Bratislava at Miletičova 7, the association's office. The other collection points are run by volunteers from the Salesian family. Please do not buy appliances or large items yourself: contribute to their purchase and we buy them wholesale at a discount and deliver them straight to the family.
Exact addresses, opening hours and contacts go online on 11 November 2026 together with the list of families.
Where to hand in gifts
Collection points of the 13th edition
- Bratislava, Miletičova 7main warehouse, Camminowhole country
- ŽilinaSt Joseph the Worker vocational schoolnorth
- PrešovSalesians of Don Boscoeast
- SabinovDomkaeast
The 2025 list. Any changes for 2026 will be added on 11 November.
Twelve editions, one principle
Specific help for specific people. From the first list in 2014 to a nationwide project with hundreds of volunteers.
- 2026, 13th edition
11 November to 6 December 2026
The first edition with the new site: a list of families, gift reservation by email and payment via Darujme.sk. The intake from partners in the field runs in October.
- 2025, 12th edition
The first edition under the Cammino name
The project moved from the Past Pupils association to Cammino, the non-profit founded by its creators. Same team, same network of partners across Slovakia.
- 2024, 11th edition
A public collection with rules and a report
The second year of money donations through a registered public collection. The final report is published among the documents.
- 2023, 10th edition
Ten years, and the first registered collection
Since 23 November 2023 we receive money donations through a public collection registered with the Ministry of the Interior. RTVS, Rádio Slovensko and TV Lux covered the anniversary edition.
RTVS 21 NovRádio Slovensko 23 NovTV Lux 6 Dec - 2022, 9th edition
Pandemic, war next door, energy prices
The project opened again on 11 November, with the Slovak Catholic Charity and the Salesian family, for families pushed to the margins.
- 2021, 8th edition
Second year of the pandemic
A collection for the works of the Salesian family and for families in the Charity's care. Reports on TV Lux and RTVS, an interview on Rádio Lumen.
- 2020, 7th edition
Education as the main theme
Besides families, students from poorer backgrounds: support for studies, housing, meals and laptops for online schooling. The first website with lists and gift reservations.
13,881 € from 113 donors6,281 € for education123 families and 5 crisis centres259 children got a shoebox40 appliances48 volunteers, 6 collection points
- 2019, 6th edition
One van, the whole country
On Wednesday 18 December, Róbert Mruk and two volunteers crossed the whole of Slovakia and delivered gifts to families, to the FMA sisters and to charity workers. FINAL CD lent the van, FAST PLUS supplied discounted appliances.
80 families and individuals12 centres420 shoeboxes, twice 201814 washing machines, 5 fridges, 3 laptops
- 2018, 5th edition
Collections in Sabinov and Prešov too
The first version of the darujmeusmev.sk website and new collection points in eastern Slovakia.
- 2017, 4th edition
“150 times thank you for a better Christmas”
That was the Salesians' headline about the fourth edition. Gifts for families in need across Slovakia.
- 2016, 3rd edition
First TV report and first partners
The first report about the project. The first companies and Salesian centres joined.
- 2015, 2nd edition
The second Christmas with a list
Lists of needs from the FMA sisters and the Charity, wrapped gifts on St Nicholas' day.
- 2014, 1st edition
Born in the founders' hearts
The first edition within the Association of Don Bosco Past Pupils and Friends in Slovakia. The idea was the same from the start: not “something for someone”, but a specific item for a specific person whom one of us knows.
First six editions together: 32,000 € from 1,000 donors236 families and 53 centres1,500 shoeboxes110 appliances
What people say
“We work with people in need and have used Darujme úsmev for several years now. It is a great help to us, to be able to bring a smile to children's faces.”
“In our social work it is an important support for those whose needs exceed what the charity can provide: warmth, a hot meal, hygiene, clothing. We value the gifts tailored to specific children.”
“The Salesians in Košice joined for the first time in 2023. Our children are not used to gifts from their parents, so they are delighted to find something nice, and above all personal, under the tree in the church.”
“I know generational poverty, and I know you do not escape it overnight. Practical help in the form of shoeboxes for children is a sign of hope that it is worth living your life better.”
“These are families caring for children with severe disabilities, large families and single-parent families. Their children long for the magic of Christmas just the same. This project makes it possible.”
Public collection reports
In Slovak.
Want to know when the list opens?
One email on 11 November, when the list of families goes online. We will not send you anything else.