Complimentary Holiday from The St. Petersburg Times

The St. Petersburg Times newspaper conducted a Complimentary Holiday charity event. This is a traditional annual project of the St. Petersburg office of Independent Media Sanoma Magazines (IMSM) for the purpose of collecting money for New Year’s gifts and celebrations for needy children and families.

In the past, money was traditionally collected through the sale of lottery tickets. This year, however, the format changed completely – a theatrical production by the Fontanka Youth Theater, with well-known residents of St. Petersburg making a charitable contribution for taking part in rehearsals with a stage director and performing with the professional actors.

A traditional charity raffle was also held, with IMSM business partners and Esquire magazine providing the prizes. A total of 517,000 rubles (almost $17,000) was collected.

The recipient was the Tyopli Dom (Warm-Hearted Home) charitable foundation that helps place homeless and street children with families. The funds will be used to organize New Year’s celebrations as well as for social and psychological assistance to families in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.