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Christmas Shoebox Campaign for the Elderly a Tremendous Success
The 2020 ’16th annual Christmas Shoebox Campaign for the Elderly” has once again been a tremendous success. Over 250 boxes were collected & delivered. The Silves based Castelo de Sonhos charity were able to reach many more elderly folk this year. They would like send a big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed; in particular the charity gives special thanks to the members of Silves Rotary Club.
Castelo de Sonhos especially wishes to thank the Silves Rotary Club members who purchased slippers during the festive season. With the funds raised from the sale of slippers, plus direct donations, the charity was able to purchase sufficient extra food for families in need to ensure they were able to have a traditional Christmas family meal. Castelo de Sonhos wishes the members of Silves Rotary Club a Very Happy & Healthy 2021.
Shoeboxes on Target for Christmas
Shoe boxes have started to arrive at Holiday Inn and Castelo de Sonhos which are pick up points for the drive. The community of Silves and across the Algarve and beyond to the UK have been hard at work again.
These pictures were taken last year prior to covid 19.
The target of 200 looks like it will be met. A large number are already in quarantine before delivery. There are a still a few days left to drop off a shoebox and bring a smile to someone this Christmas.
Fund Raising During the Pandemic
The Civid 19 Pandemic has altered all our lives as we have all experienced. While many clubs have utilised Zoom to facilitate their meetings. Silves Sul was able able to meet in small numbers in a member’s large garden on widely spaced tables to continue as much business as possible once this was allowed. Monies normally spent on lunch was donated to funds to meet local need. Members trapped abroad joined us on zoom whenever possible. We joined those clubs we work with in the UK at their meetings as well as clubs in the Algarve. Hopefully we will be able to run normal activities soon.
Handover 9 July 2020
RC Silves members gathered on the 9 July to review the year 2019/20 and to thank Isabel Flores for leading the club with the help of our four past presidents.
David Trubshaw welcomed members and guests.
The leadership role falls to Alan Winn for 2020/21. Alan has been President twice before but he will also be supported by Stewart Smith, David Trubshaw and Isabel Flores. Isabel spoke about this difficult year before officially handing over the leadership by giving Alan the President’s Pin.
A Little Socialising
Silves Rotary Club held its first meeting after the restrictions were lifted. 10 members gathered in the garden of our president to enjoy each others company and to look at possible activities for the future. It was so good to see each other even if the normal greetings had to be avoided.
The clubs has been guided by four past presidents this year. A happy group. They are ready to continue next year.
Help During Covid19
During this pandemic it has become difficult for Casa do Povo to support all the local families that are in need. Even though members have not been able to meet they have donated their lunch money and more to a fund which allows us to cover those little emergencies that this pandemic has forced on the local community in Messines. Our help also lead to local butchers and grocers joining in with meat and vegetables. Below is a letter from Casa do Povo expressing their thanks. The pictures show just a few of the things purchased.
Dear Friends,
We haven’t enough words to express our gratitude to you! All your support during the last years had been so important to us! to be truth, every time that we need help, you come to us to resolve our problem. The last weeks were very hard for everyone and your help was amazing.
Thank you so much for supporting us!
Governors Visit
On the 4 February the governor Mara Filipa Ribeiro Duarte visited RC Silves to see some of the work we have done over the past year. The governor made a visit to Casa do Povo one of our major benefactors this year before joining members for lunch.
She expressed her admiration for the amount of work our club manages to achieve and updated us on the rotary news. President Isabel Flores and Vice President Alan Winn presented Mara with a cheque for 300€ for the Governors Fund.
Casa de Povo New Facilities
Rotary Silves donated about 10,000 euros, which was used to equip the new sensory and therapeutic rooms at Casa do Povo. This unit will serve to support 20 users young people / adults from 18 years old, from various parts of the western Algarve. All referred by the different health services in the region
In addition to these responses to mental illness, the Casa do Povo of São Bartolomeu de Messines also provides support in the social area, by monitoring vulnerable families and providing food support; sports, social-education for those with physical / intellectual disabilities.
Working together on this project has shown us how much we can achieve. Thank you to all those who have purchased David Trubshaw’s Book and have attended concerts and other fund raising events. As you can see your money has been well spent.
Major Funding for Casa do Povo
Casa do Povo in São Bartolomeu de Messines, at the invitation of ARS – Regional Health Administration, invested in the creation of a USO – Socio-Occupational Unit, for people with mental illness. RC Silves members worked hard raising funds so that adults and children with disabilities have access to this well needed training facility.
RC Silves raised 10,000€ so the new facilities could be adequately furnished to allow this crucial work to take place. At our meeting in January, cheques were handed over to representatives of Casa do Povo to cover the costs of furniture and other resources. The cheques were presented by Pascal Martin, David Trubshaw, Pam Winn and David and Sue Butler Cole.
Big smiles all round.
