For his many years of commitment to the homeless, the Berlin pop singer Frank Zander is to be personally honored by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. After the 80-year-old had already received the Cross of Merit in 2002, the next step is now with the Cross of Merit 1st Class. The Office of the Federal President confirmed the upgrade for zander on Monday on request. The honor is planned for December 5th, the day of volunteering. The "Bild" newspaper had previously reported on it.

The reason given was that Zander had "made outstanding contributions to solidarity and humanity". Since 1995, Zander has been organizing a Christmas party with a show program for the needy - in view of the corona pandemic, however, no longer in a hotel room with thousands of guests. Instead, Zander supports food trucks and soup buses. According to the organization team, he will be on the road for four days in the week before Christmas this year. Instead of roast goose as before in the hotel, there should be game goulash with dumplings and cranberries, as well as useful donations such as sleeping bags. Celebrity helpers should also be there.

"I'm baffled. Yes, I admit it, I'm happy too," the "Bild" newspaper quoted Zander's reaction to the news from the Federal President's Office. The Order shines a light on the concerns and needs of the needy and homeless. The entertainer also thanked his family, cooperation partners, donors and sponsors. "Because one thing is clear: I could never have done it all."

Homeless Festival Report by the "Bild" newspaper