What is “Dod pieci!”?
The charity marathon “Dod pieci!” is part of the international “Serious Request” project, which organises several charity marathons every year in different European countries. The first glass studio was launched in Utrecht, the Netherlands, before Christmas in 2004, and the first charity marathon in Latvia took place in December 2014.
When and where will “Dod pieci!” take place this year?
The charity marathon “Dod pieci!” will take place from 16 to 22 December of this year. The glass studio of Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv will be located in Riga, Dome Square.
Who are the donations of this year’s “Dod pieci!” for?
In solidarity with the Ukrainian people forced to flee the war started by Russia, “Dod pieci!” is calling on the public to support Ukrainian children in Latvia this year. According to the United Nations (UN), Europe is currently facing the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. There are currently almost 39,000 Ukrainian refugees in Latvia. According to estimates by the Ministry of the Interior, around 30% of all Ukrainian refugees in Latvia are children, mostly aged between 2 and 17. As every year, 100% of the funds donated at this year’s charity marathon will be donated to the cause.
How can you donate to “Dod pieci!”?
Donations starting from EUR 5 in exchange for your favourite song being played on Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv from 1 December can be made on the website www.dodpieci.lv. From 16 to 22 December, donations can also be made at the charity marathon glass studio in the Old Town, Dome Square. It will also be possible to donate for the “Dod pieci!” cause on the Ziedot.lv website. Cash and non-cash donations can also be made at Circle K petrol stations across Latvia from 1 December to 31 December.
This year DJ Toms Grēviņš will once again be “at liberty” as the running DJ who brings the “Dod pieci!” message to the regions of Latvia by running a real marathon (42 km) every day for the duration of the charity marathon. Toms Grēviņš will run the marathon distance in exchange for a donation of EUR 10,000.
Does Ziedot.lv charge a commission fee for donations made?
Ziedot.lv does not charge any commission or agents’ fee for donations received. 100% of the donated money goes to its intended cause. The administrative costs of Ziedot.lv are not covered by “Dod pieci!” donations.
What help will a minimum donation of EUR 5 provide?
Your EUR 5 will help children from Ukraine spend another day in Latvia without sirens and explosions. The funds donated during the marathon will go to the Emergency Relief Fund through Ziedot.lv to provide direct assistance to fulfil the children’s basic needs – the purchase of school supplies and computers, health improvement and psychological support, winter shoes, clothing and other acute items.
Why is the charity specifically helping the Ukrainian refugee children in Latvia this year?
For many Ukrainians, they have to start building life in Latvia from the ground – they must find temporary housing, temporary work, temporary school and friends. Added to this is the uncertainty of when they will be able to return to Ukraine and whether they will have a home to return to. “Dod pieci!” calls on the Latvian public to realise that, despite our many problems, we are currently privileged to live in peace, and by helping Ukrainians, we are actually helping ourselves.
Latvia has many needs in the health and other sectors. Is “Dod pieci!” not a Latvian needs-centred project?
Each year, the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon covers a topic of importance to society. There are more than 35,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Latvia today, and they need help from Latvian society, so this is directly a Latvian needs project.
Where can I follow the events of “Dod pieci!”?
From 16 to 22 December, 24 hours a day, you will be able to follow the events of “Dod pieci!” on air on Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv, online at www.dodpieci.lv and www.lsm.lv. Latvian Radio 1 will also broadcast “Dod pieci!” every night of the marathon starting from midnight to 6.00 am on weekdays, and from midnight to 7.00 am on weekends. LTV1 will offer night-time coverage throughout the charity marathon, when you will be able to watch live what is happening in the glass studio until 6.00 am. LTV7 will broadcast the glass studio morning programme from 7.00 am to 9.00 am from 17 to 22 December. The topic will also be investigated and stories will be produced by the Latvian Television News Service.
Can I choose to donate to any song?
During the “Dod pieci!” campaign, there will be no restrictions on the musical format of Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv – all the songs donors want to hear will be played on air, ranging from an excerpt from Wagner’s “Lohengrin” to a ten-minute Metallica track. We will play the most radical genres of music during the darkest hours of the day.
When will the song I donated for be played on Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv?
Once a donation has been received for a song, the music department of Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv will find the nearest suitable time to play it on the radio. As it is not possible to predict the number of song submissions, it is not possible to say the exact timing of each song being played live. One of the main principles is to play as many songs as possible without repetitions. A list of all the songs played during the marathon will be available on the “Dod pieci!” website www.dodpieci.lv. The best chance of hearing your song on air is if it is well-known and popular, and if your donation is made early on.
Can I enter a song by making a donation to “Dod pieci!” in the glass studio?
Yes, this year both cash and non-cash donations will be accepted at the glass studio. It will be possible to request a song by accessing the donation window – Ziedot.lv volunteers will exchange the donation for the selected song and enter it into the shared system. However, this does not mean that the chosen song will be played on air immediately – we receive a lot of submissions during the charity marathon, and the music editor sorts the order of the songs several hours in advance.
Can I have my name called on air before playing my selected song if I have donated?
The name of the specific donor is not going to be mentioned on the radio. Usually plenty of people choose the same song, and it would take a long time to name all the donors. However, if you want your name to be acknowledged, the donor's name appears in the list of donors when donating on Ziedot.lv.
Where can I listen to Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv?
The broadcasting frequency of Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv is 93.1 FM in Riga, 102.1 FM in Liepāja, 100.5 FM in Limbaži, 103.8 FM in Rēzekne, 102.4 FM in Saldus, 89.5 FM in Valmiera and 96.5 FM in Ventspils. Online – https://fm.pieci.lv/
It is also possible to listen to content produced by the Latvian Radio on the Latvian Radio mobile app.
What are charity auctions and can I submit an item for them?
“Dod pieci!” charity auctions have been giving well-known organisations, athletes, musicians and others the opportunity to support “Dod pieci!” for several years now. By participating in auctions, you can obtain unique items and events that you cannot access elsewhere. The auction is organised by Ziedot.lv in cooperation with “Pērkam Kopā” and is available on the charity marathon website www.dodpieci.lv. All proceeds from the charity auction will go to support Ukrainian refugee children in Latvia. More information on the rules of the auction can be found here: https://izsole.dodpieci.lv/noteikumi/
If you would like to offer a unique item or event for the auction, please contact DodPieci@latvijasradio.lv
My child brought a drawing – can it be given to the DJs in the glass studio this year?
Yes, drawings can be dropped off at the donation window.
Who has been helped by “Dod pieci!”?
In 2021, the charity marathon “Dod pieci!” highlighted the issue of accessibility for people with functional disabilities, inviting the public to see the everyday lives of people with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. In 2021, EUR 483,346 was raised in donations, the largest amount donated in the history of the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon.
In 2020, the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon raised EUR 407,020 to help victims of domestic violence.
In 2019, donations of EUR 438,197 provided nutritious meals for terminally ill people who can no longer feed themselves, as well as provided other palliative care support therapies.
In 2018, donated funds in the amount of EUR 120,046 through Ziedot.lv and “Plecs” were directed to the creation and implementation of a free young parents support and training programme throughout Latvia.
In 2017, donations of EUR 358,121 provided 35,812 hours of emotional and practical support to “Plecs” families who want to give homes to children from orphanages.
In 2016, EUR 190,910 was donated, which enabled the organisation of 21 psychosocial support camps for oncology patients and their relatives.
In 2015, EUR 135,546 was donated to provide assistance to more than 50 families with children with special needs.
In December 2014, the first “Dod pieci!” charity marathon raised EUR 64,550, providing Christmas presents for more than five thousand poor and lonely elderly people in Latvia.
Can people with visual, hearing and mobility impairments still apply for help as per the 2021 theme of “Dod pieci!”?
Yes, the 2021 “Dod pieci!” donations are still being used. People with functional disabilities (vision, hearing, mobility) can still apply for help to improve their environment. They must fill in an application on the Ziedot.lv website: https://www.ziedot.lv/pieteikt-palidzibu/pieteikums-palidzibas-sanemsanai
Can you get involved in “Dod pieci!” as a volunteer and help with the charity marathon?
Yes, volunteers are a big part of the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon. We are happy and grateful to the volunteers who want to be part of the “Dod pieci!” team year after year. If you would like to help, please contact: DodPieci@latvijasradio.lv.
Can I collect donations outside the giving opportunities announced in the charity marathon through “Dod pieci!” branding (e.g., by placing donation boxes)? What are the conditions?
Yes, you can! “Dod pieci!” is a charity marathon, so we welcome every activity that raises donations for the marathon cause. “Dod pieci!” logo and visuals are available on www.dodpieci.lv
What are the possibilities for companies to donate and are there tax benefits?
Companies that value social responsibility are invited to conclude a donation agreement with Ziedot.lv. Companies are entitled to an income tax relief. Additional information is available here: https://www.vid.gov.lv/sites/default/files/ziedojumi_uin_27062022_aktualizets_met_mat.pdf.
To enter into a donation agreement, please fill in the application form. If you have any further questions, please contact ziedot@ziedot.lv.
