MIVA Christophorus Campaign
"If each driver coming my way would give just a penny, so many lives could be saved." This was the thought of the first Austrian MIVA Managing Director Karl Kumpfmüller at the end of the 1950s, when he transferred a vehicle from Stadl-Paura (Upper Austria), on his own wheels, to a North German port for shipment to Africa.
This idea was the starting signal for the MIVA Christophorus campaign. It is named after St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Since 1960, it has been MIVA's best-known and most important fundraiser. It is held every year in July under the motto: "One tenth of a cent per accident-free kilometer for an MIVA vehicle".
Maria Niedermair-Auer
Donation service
+43 7245 / 28945-45
m.niedermair-auer@miva.at
The higlight
St. Christopher's Sunday
This is the Sunday closest to the name day of St. Christopher on July 24. On this day, special reference is made in Austrian church services to the cause of MIVA. In addition, specially organized vehicle blessings take place in many parishes.
In the course of time, the Christophorus Campaign has developed further. In the meantime, not only car drivers are asked for their solidarity, but it is addressed to all people. Because everyone moves and everyone is happy and grateful when they arrive home safe and sound after a short or long journey - be it on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, car or even after a mountain hike.
Mobility has no limits. In addition, MIVA also wants to encourage people - not least because of the very tense climate situation - to move as pollution-free as possible. The Christophorus campaign is a good opportunity to say THANK YOU for being on the road without accidents and for one's own mobility, and at the same time to do something good, true to the MIVA motto "Mobility is shareable."
The legend
Saint Christopher
According to legend, Christophorus is a giant who seeks a Lord. Because he can neither pray nor even he can fast, but still wants to serve Christ as the most powerful Lord, he agrees to carry people across a raging river. One night a child calls him.
He goes out and carries it across the river. Then it becomes heavier and heavier - so heavy that he, the giant, fears to drown. He feels as if he is carrying the whole world on his shoulders. Then the child tells him, "More than the world you have carried, the Lord who created the world was your burden." Christophorus, whose name means "Christ-bearer," has become the patron saint of travelers. He also serves as a guiding figure for MIVA, because the project partners in mission and development are, in a way, also "Christ-bearers."
MIVA Austria
Donation seal of approval
Since 2001, MIVA has been awarded the Austrian seal of approval for donations every year. This guarantees that we handle your donation responsibly and carefully and that it ends up where it will make the most difference. This is how mobility becomes a reality in the poorest regions of our world. In addition, your donation is tax deductible. You can find further information on the donation seal of approval, donation deductibility and transparency here.