The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation and the National Company "Loteria Română" S.A. have joined forces in a mission to support elderly people living alone during the pandemic. Consequently, the company is sponsoring the Elderly Helpline and supporting the implementation of material aid actions for 100 seniors facing difficult life situations.

In Romania, 1 million elderly people live alone and face the fears and challenges of this period on their own. At the beginning of last year, with the establishment of the state of emergency, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation launched solutions for the specific needs of elderly people at risk and became involved in managing the effects of social distancing imposed by the pandemic through the creation of the Fund for the Elderly. Through this fund, seniors from all areas of the country continue to receive help—especially those affected by loneliness, physical immobility, poor health, poverty, or social exclusion—difficult situations that have been exacerbated in the current context.

Through the four components of the project—the Elderly Helpline, material support actions, volunteering for the elderly, and community aid—over 6,000 seniors have been supported to date. The funding provided by C.N. Loteria Română S.A. supports, between November 2020 and April 2021, the Elderly Helpline social service accessible nationwide and provides material aid for 100 elderly people living in precarious conditions.

"The pandemic keeps us apart, and we know that many seniors are facing difficult life situations today. They are the ones who loved and raised us, and we return that support when they need help the most. Seniors living alone are the priority of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Through involvement and solidarity, we can make a difference in their lives. Alongside CN Loteria Română, we can offer them the necessary support to get through this period successfully," stated Ioana Petrea, Director of Communication and Fundraising at The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation.

„We have a duty to provide our respect, attention, and support to one of the most vulnerable social categories: the elderly. The period we are going through is particularly sensitive for everyone, even more so for those who need help to navigate the pandemic safely. In addition to the contribution the Romanian Lottery has made to society for over 114 years by funding projects of national public interest, we are honored to stand alongside The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation to lend a helping hand together to those in need today, but who in the past contributed to building a strong nation where people can rely on one another. We welcome and support the initiative through which the Fund for the Elderly was created, and we consider our gesture a natural one that responds to the mission the Romanian Lottery has held since its founding in 1906,.”stated Sebastian-Iacob Moga, General Manager of the National Company Loteria Română S.A.

The Elderly Helpline is the only free and confidential telephone line dedicated to seniors in Romania. Calls can be made to 0800 460 001, Monday to Friday between 08:00 – 20:00 and Saturdays between 08:00 – 16:00. The social counseling, psychological counseling, emotional support, socialization, and loneliness-relief services provided by the team of social workers and psychologists contribute to informing the elderly and facilitating access to support services, as well as increasing their sense of social belonging.

The need for material and financial support ranks high among the requests from seniors who called the Elderly Helpline during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March last year until now, over 900 requests for financial and material support have been recorded for the purchase of food, sanitary products, and other items necessary to cover basic needs. Based on the funding provided by C.N. "Loteria Română" S.A., 100 elderly people affected by major hardships will receive social vouchers worth 200 RON/person. These are distributed in three installments, the first of which reached beneficiaries in December last year. The next two installments will be offered to the elderly this month and in April, before the Easter Holidays.

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About Compania Națională Loteria Română S.A.

The Romanian Lottery is one of the oldest Romanian institutions, celebrating 115 years of activity this year, having been founded in 1906 for social purposes to serve the public and national interest. Throughout this period, regardless of the times and challenges of each stage of its history, the Romanian Lottery has honored its important mission of contributing to the financing of national public interest objectives by offering responsible games at the highest standards of security and integrity, meeting the requirements and expectations of players. The National Company Loteria Română S.A. carries out public interest activities in the field of gambling and is the sole organizer of lottery-type games throughout the country. Currently, the majority of the net profit is directed to the state budget in the form of dividends. Additionally, 2% of the company's receipts go to the National Cultural Fund, which finances projects supporting contemporary Romanian creation and the valuation of heritage.