Bayer 04-HILFT day at the city library: ‘It's impressive what you can achieve together’

With almost 100 highly motivated helpers, Bayer 04 set up shop at the Leverkusen City Library on Tuesday morning. This year, the club once again showed its full commitment to a good cause on the Bayer 04-HILFT day, this time between the bookshelves and reading corners. The club's 60 or so employees were joined by twelve helpers from sponsor club partner Coca-Cola, ten people from Lebenshilfe and other supporters from lienenlüke reinsch plus GmbH, germann medienproduktion and Teppich Schmitz GmbH. After their morning training session, they were joined by Werkself assistant coach Rogier Meijer, goalkeeping coach David Thiel, fitness coach Markus Müller and team manager Hans-Peter Lehnhoff, as well as players Christian Kofane and Ezequiel Fernández. Valentina Mädl, Juliette Vidal, Anne Moll and Shen Menglu from the Bayer 04 Women also lent a helping hand. Hand in hand, they spruced up the inside of the library as well as parts of the outside area and had a lot of fun in the process.

Kießling: "I think the campaign is great"

"We always have so many plans and wishes, but unfortunately we can rarely put them into action. That's why I'm incredibly grateful for this offer of help, it's a really great initiative," said a happy Eva-Marie Urban, head of the city library. She watched the busy Bayer 04 employees dismantling and reassembling shelves, rearranging books and even wallpapering walls. The children's section was also remodelled and renovated with the active support of the Werkself. "That's great, children are reading more and more and our department would otherwise have been bursting at the seams," explained Urban.

One person who also lent a hand was club representative Stefan Kießling - and not for the first time. "I've been involved since the first Bayer 04-HILFT day and I think the campaign is great. We support so many different projects with so many people ready and willing to help. I really enjoy it," said the 41-year-old, before he set off again, sweating, to drag furniture through the library.

Fernández: "it makes me happy to help people"

After a hearty lunch, kindly provided by Bayer 04 partner Bergischländer for the 04-HILFT day, players from the Werkself also joined in. Together with Shen Menglu and Ezequiel Fernández, Valentina Mädl filled beanbags and covered cushions. The Austrian was delighted to be involved: "I think it's great that Bayer 04 is helping wherever possible and that I can support the campaign for a good cause." Fernández was particularly impressed by the many Bayer 04 employees helping out: "It's really nice to see how people from the club are helping out here. It makes me happy because we are doing something together, helping people and everyone feels good about it."

Juliette Vidal agreed: "It's important that the club is also committed to the city and the people. On matchdays, they all support Bayer 04 at the stadium, it all goes hand in hand." When filling plant pots together with Christian Kofane, the French player was clearly in her element: "I love gardening and actually have the same plants at home." For Kofane, too, taking part in Bayer 04-HILFT Day was a matter close to his heart: "It's always important to get involved in charity events. Football isn't everything - you should also help the people around you, because they support us and we owe them a lot. It's only natural we give them something back."

Elli Garcia, Team Leader Social Affairs at Bayer 04, organised the event again this year and kept track of all the eager helpers and books lying around. She is delighted with Bayer 04's commitment to the good cause: "The city library in particular, a hub for young and old, is a great place to make a difference with this campaign. It's impressive to see what you can achieve together with so many motivated people."

Ninth Bayer 04-Hilft day - from the nursey to the wildlife park

Last year Arthur, Jonas Hofmann and Co. renovated the outdoor area at a Leverkusen day nursery. Previously the staff and players helped out at the NaturGut Ophoven in 2023.

Previous Bayer 04-HILFT-Tage:

• 2022: Kleingartenverein Burgloch
• 2019: Neuland-Park
• 2018: Wildpark Reuschenberg
• 2017: Opladener Verkehrsübungsplatz
• 2016: Leverkusener day nursery
• 2015: Leverkusener day nursery