German WHW Propaganda Postcard of Winter 1934/35.

The Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes (English: Winter Relief of the German People), commonly known by its abbreviated form Winterhilfswerk (WHW), was an annual donation drive by the National Socialist People's Welfare (German: Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt, or NSV).

Established in 1933, the WHW was a major source of funding for the activities of the NSV and the second largest mass organisation in Nazi Germany. Donations were theoretically voluntary but de facto required of German citizens, with high levels of social pressure to contribute.

WHW replaced tax-funded welfare institutions, freeing up money for rearmament.[1][2] It also had a propaganda role: encouraging solidarity of the Volksgemeinschaft.[3] Persistent rumours that the WHW was a sham, with the proceeds spent on armaments, were at least partially confirmed by Martin Bormann who responded to questions from the Nazi Party treasurer by stating that the money raised by WHW was controlled and allocated by Adolf Hitler alone