A Danish family has donated $10,800 of their own money to help families in need celebrate Christmas, inspired by the help their father once received as a child refugee.
From Refugee to Donor
More than 35 years ago, Khiem Huynh was a child standing in a crowded hall behind Salling in Aarhus, where Christmas trees and candy bags made the season magical. That memory stayed with him. Born in Vietnam and arriving in Denmark as a boat refugee in 1979, Huynh’s early years were marked by limited means. His parents received donated clothing and furniture when they first came to the country, and each small gesture of generosity left a deep impression.
Today, Huynh works as a senior doctor at Aalborg University Hospital and lives a very different life. Yet, he has never forgotten the sense of belonging that the kindness of strangers once gave him. Because of that, he now works to pass that feeling forward during the holiday season. Learning about traditional Danish Christmas celebrations through a local family they met via the organization Save the Children, his own family embraced the Danish festive spirit and turned giving into a yearly tradition.
Family Effort for a Good Cause
For the past three years, Huynh and his family have raised over 136,000 Danish kroner for Christmas aid through the Red Cross. For every krone donated by the public up to 12,500 kroner, the family triples the amount from their own funds. Altogether, they’ve personally contributed 75,000 kroner—around $10,800—to help Danish families in financial difficulty enjoy the holidays.
Huynh and his wife want their three children to understand all aspects of Danish society, not just the comfortable one they live in. Their children, aged 9, 13, and 15, now join every winter drive. They stand outside local shops collecting money, use QR-code signs to attract donors, and proudly witness how every small contribution adds up.
This year, they achieved their goal for the first time: raising over 56,000 kroner before Christmas Eve. Including previous years, the family’s total personal donation now exceeds 100,000 kroner.
Helping Danes in Need
Huynh’s initiative ties directly to the nationwide campaign “Alle vores børn,” a collaboration between Danish broadcaster TV 2 and the Red Cross. Running annually from December 1 to 23, it supports families in vulnerable situations by funding holiday meals and gifts distributed through local branches across Denmark.
A Red Cross survey called “Christmas Under Pressure” shows how essential such help can be. Among more than 22,000 families who previously received Christmas aid, 86% said they had to forgo gifts, 83% went without traditional Christmas food, and over half couldn’t afford necessary clothing for their children this past year. These numbers highlight the hardship some families face when trying to create even a modest holiday celebration.
For many in Denmark, Christmas carries deep cultural meaning, symbolizing warmth, community, and generosity. That tradition, as shown on the page about how Denmark celebrates Christmas, blends old customs with social togetherness—values that Huynh’s story reflects perfectly.
A Tradition That Continues
Huynh’s children say they want other kids to feel included when talking about gifts and celebrations at school. They know they are fortunate, and they want to ensure others can share in that same sense of belonging.
The family plans to continue their fundraising every year. What started as an act of gratitude has now become a personal Christmas tradition. As Huynh puts it, the goal is simple: to help others experience joy and dignity during a season that can be difficult for many families.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How Does Denmark Celebrate Christmas?
The Danish Dream: Best Charities in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Familie giver 75.000 kroner til julehjælp på tre år
