In numerous social institutions and projects throughout the city, the players rolled up their sleeves this afternoon, supporting volunteer initiatives, especially taking time to meet the people involved

Union's Social Day has been a vital part of the "UNION VEREINT. Shoulder to Shoulder" foundation's work for many years. This year, the focus was once again on joint actions.

One project was led by the head coach of the women’s team, Marie-Louise Eta, alongside Lina Hausicke, Zeno Van den Bosch, Oliver Burke, and Wooyeong Jeong at a community refugee's accommodation run by the International Bund (IB). There, they reimagined various rooms together with the residents, giving the walls a new coat of paint with creative motifs. The collaborative work not only provided the opportunity to enhance the living environment but also to engage in conversation and get to know each other.

"Football means more to us than performance and success on the pitch. Solidarity, respect, and responsibility are just as important. That’s why it is important for us to make a social contribution outside of football," said Eta this afternoon. "Especially in the midst of our training and match operations, this Social Day was a valuable experience that sharpens the view beyond football and brings people together."

Men's head coach Mauro Lustrinelli visited the "Haus Theresa" together with two members of his coaching team and players Anna Aehling, Sophie Weidauer, and Nelly Smolarczyk. There, people with addiction disorders, mental impairments, or long-term stays in homes are cared for. During a game and interaction afternoon, personal conversations, joint activities, and exchange with the residents were the focus.

Lustrinelli also emphasised the connecting thought behind the day: "Union are deeply rooted in the city, and we hold ourselves to that expectation. We are present throughout Berlin to actively live this closeness. But it is also an opportunity for us to learn through this diversity – just like today with joint coffee, cake, and football with people with disabilities.

Unioner were also active at numerous other locations. In the day group of the Märkisches Social and Educational Work, they supported the educational work with children and adolescents, while at the Zürich School in Neukölln, joint sports and movement offerings were the focus.

Support was also provided to the Berlin City Mission and the Zoo Bahnhofsmission, where the Unioner helped prepare and distribute meals while engaging in conversation with guests and staff. In the Tegel correctional facility, meanwhile, a visit was made to see the work of inmates in the textile printing shop. Other professionals volunteered at the site of the Schule am Buntzelberg, while setting up the winter playground in Friedrichshain and participating in various crafting and design measures at the Schule am Bienwaldring, Otto-Hahn-Schule, and the neighborhood meeting place "Die Bude" in Köpenick.

"Social Day demonstrates anew every year how important solidarity and personal commitment are. The experiences that arise on this day are valuable for all involved and reach far beyond the individual projects," said Christian Arbeit, chairman of the foundation of 1. FC Union Berlin, about the engagement. "The projects clearly show how diverse social engagement in Berlin is and how important institutions and initiatives are, where people take responsibility for others every day."

At the end of the day, there were not only newly designed rooms, successful work assignments, and numerous joint activities, but above all, new impressions and conversations.