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Newspaper publication of Het Parool, 11 November 1971. The Witte bedjes campaign was an initiative of Parool journalist Henri Knap. He launched the idea in 1946 in his "Amsterdam diary". The campaign was intended to raise money for Sinterklaas presents for sick children who would otherwise be "forgotten" by the Saint. The motto was "Bring sunshine to the chimney". The campaign started every year in October / November in the Diary section (written by Knap), with Fiep Westendorp providing the characteristic illustrations. Well-known Amsterdammers are committed to the Witte bedjes campaigns. Top mannequins went to collect in the evening in the nightlife. Artists like Willy Alberti and André van Duin performed in the City cinema in "the night of the white beds". A car puzzle ride was a great success. On October 3, 1967, the Stichting Witte Bedjes was founded, much against the wishes of Knap. The goal was broadened to "give color" to the white beds in hospitals and institutions for disabled children. " The foundation is affiliated with Het Parool and donated to children's wards of hospitals in Paramaribo; to the Queen Wilhelmina Fund for the fight against cancer in children; and at the Feuerstein Center. Currently (2017), the Foundation has an ANBI status, which means that tax benefits are granted to donors and that the Foundation handles money properly according to government standards: more than 70% ends up with charity.
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