On Saturday, 2 May 2026, at 10:00 am, we opened our new facility at Trierer Str. 5 in Schmelz to the public.
We were delighted by the warm reception and the large number of visitors, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us, whether through a donation of cake, a financial contribution or practical help. In particular, we would like to thank Deputy Mayor Nicolas Lorenz, Deputy Village Mayor Johannes Leidinger, Member of the Parliament Sandra Quinten, Martina Wagner from the Trier Diocesan Association of the Kolping Society, Thomas Damke and Conny Clodo from the pastoral care team of the Parish Schmelz St Barbara, and Eva Gebel from the leadership team of the Pastoral Area Lebach. We would like to extend our special thanks to VARIO Autovermietung GmbH and local councillor Jörg Rink, as it was only thanks to their support that we were able to transport all the shelves, clothes racks and other items to the new premises in a single day.

The new premises now feature a section for children’s clothing and toys, an area for crockery and decorative items, and a separate, light-filled room for flea market items. The clothing can now also be displayed in a much more organised manner. The new spaces invite visitors to browse and linger.

We look forward to welcoming many visitors to the new shop.

to the photo gallery

'Many little people doing many little things in many little places can change the face of the world’. Under this motto, the yellow group from the Tabaluga daycare centre embarked on a journey of discovery around toys in November 2024. The aim of this project was to find various answers to questions about toys, such as

• Where do our toys come from and what are they made of?
• Do all children have toys?
• Do I need so many toys?
• Why are toys important?

The children were also allowed to bring different toys to the daycare centre and introduce and present their chosen toys in the morning circle. Of course, these toys were then swapped and explored. The children also learnt from the stories ‘St. Martin and the bear’ and ‘Sharing is fun’ that you can share a lot with others and do something good for them: ‘SHARE LIKE MARTIN’!

The group's project was rounded off with a special activity: the children and their parents were able to find out at home whether they would be willing to SHARE and give away one of their toys. The yellow group happily packed a gift box together. Elisa, her mum and a nursery school teacher brought this to the GUTE ZWECK LADEN on behalf of the entire yellow group and surprised the team and the Kolping Family Schmelz St. Marien: ‘Sometimes it's the very small things that make a big difference’.

It is important that

• clothing or shoes are not damaged or dirty and are not too worn out, even throug long wear.
• electrical items are in working order.
• all donated items are in a condition in which you would still use them yourself at any time.

At the moment our warehouse is well stocked, autumn and winter clothing dan be handed in to us form mid-September.

This year's prize for local social projects of the Diocesan Kolping Society was awarded to the Kolping Family Schmelz St. Marien for their engagement in the GUTE ZWECK LADEN, which offers support to Ukrainian refugees, but also to other needy people locally.

Besides the two chairpersons of the Kolping Family, Beate Haben and Dr. Katharina Hilker, Christiane Görgen and Petra Muhm from the team of the GUTE ZWECK LADEN received the certificate and the check at the diocesan convention on June 24, 2023 in Hermeskeil. "The needs of the time will teach you what to do", this quote of Adolph Kolping encouraged us to take over the sponsorship of the GUTE ZWECK LADEN, explained Dr. Katharina Hilker, 2nd chairwoman of the Kolping family and team member of the private initiative "Ukraine Hilfe Schmelz", which was founded end of March 2022 and opened the GUTE ZWECK LADEN on April 2, 2022.

After the presentation of the certificate and the check, this honor was toasted at the subsequent champagne reception.

The pictures shows from f.l.t.r.: Dr. Bernd Geisen (Diocesan Chairman), Beate Haben, Dr. Katharina Hilker ( 1. and 2. chairmen of the KF Schmelz St. Marien), Petra Muhm, Christiane Görgen (Team GUTE ZWECK LADEN), Julia Semmling (Managing Director Diocesan Association)