Seaside Gazette » charity

Charity Shop Recognition

David Darby — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:38:22 +0000

Did you know that the AECC (Spanish anti-cancer association) has been around for 15 years? Whenever you enter their little charity shop, by the steps to the Municipal Market, you will most likely see Maria Jara Peñalver, who is the most ‘permanent’ of the 12 volunteers, who keep the shop and the association going.
It was reported in the ‘pro-Benevides’ newspaper that the Town Hall send a card every year to the shop, commending them for their excellent charity work… that’ll be a big help then.
Serious contributions are received in the form of food sold during San José, prepared by Chambao de Vincente and Chambao de Joaquín, although the giant paella and other fundraisers were somewhat of a challenge this year, because of the heavy and continuous rain.
It’s not just the shop that the AECC provide, there are also anti-smoking days, and informative campaigns about cancer, including useful information on how to quit smoking, and how to recognise the early signs of more common cancers such as of the breast and colon.
Personal reasons make any cancer charity my favoured deposit for loose change, even the odd note, and although my purchase of a few books, a juicer and a pretty good vacuum cleaner may not purchase the next scanner, I feel better for it, and besides, I love a good rummage!

More Poor

Editor — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:29:23 +0000

Almost one thousand Almuñequeros have approached Cáritas (church charity) because they have no money to even buy food. On the Cáritas ‘books’ are 256 families. And of course, that’s only the official number because many are in desperate need but pride will not let them ask for help. However, for the many unemployed, whose dole and other government benefit allowance have run their course, it is only a matter of time before they do make the move. Many children have been sent to live with grandparents and the parents themselves are living with relatives because they have lost their homes.
For this reason, Caritas has begun a campaign called Operación Kilo, which comprises of donors handing in a kilo or two of food to the various collection points around town. The said collection points are the following: The main church at the top of the hill, the new church in the P-4 and the baker in the municipal market (Panadería Caribe) run by Inma.
Some of the most needed items are disposable nappies for babies, believe it or not, but a kilo of any dry or canned food would be very gratefully accepted. You can also contact the Anglican Church here, as this is a joint operation to help those in need.

Curry Lunch Raises €500

Dave Nichols — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:33:30 +0000

Mike & Jenny Comley hosted a “Curry Lunch,” with proceeds to be donated to the Emergency Fund for the disaster in Haiti. First estimates indicate that about €500 were raised on the day, with more to come. All those who attended report having a great time! So, again, many thanks to Mike and Jenny for another great contribution to the community.

Help for Heroes

David Darby — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:49:09 +0000

The H4H Charity are having a fundraiser on Friday 29th January at the Peña Parda restaurant in La Herradura at 11am, where there will be a raffle, with coffee and hopefully a few donations in aid of soldiers wounded whilst serving their country.
If you can make it down to the Peña Parda, your support will be much appreciated.

Joaquín for Cuba

David Darby — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:40:37 +0000

Here are some photos from last year’s fiesta, in celebration of the fantastic work done by Joaquin from El Chamboa de Joaquín in La Herradura.
This yearly event in the Parque Majuelo in Almuñécar should not be missed, with a giant paella prepared in spectacular style by Joaquin, Cuban music and other entertainment, it really is a great day out.
So, support this fantastic charity event, get yourselves down to the park on Saturday 16th or Sunday 17th, and do some good while having some fun!

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Joaquín Cuba Reminder

David Darby — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:24:21 +0000

Just a quick reminder to make a note in your diaries for the New Year to pop along to the Parque Majuelo in Almuñécar over the weekend of January 16th and 17th.
This is a charity event, and is always well attended and a really good day out, so if you want to see Joaquin from El Chamboa de Joaquín in La Herradura, chucking his stuff around in the creation of a giant paella, then watch this space and we will give more information in next months issue.

Clinica Burma Exhibition

David Darby — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:21:09 +0000

Just a quick mention for those lovely people at La Clinica in Almuñécar who are hosting a brilliant exhibition of oil paintings on cotton and sand of Buddhist images.
The proceeds from any pieces sold will go to Burma non-governmental charities.
A worthy cause, some wonderful works to browse, and the exhibition will be open during normal opening hours at La Clinica, until 15th January 2010.
La Clinica, Paseo del Altillo 4, Almuñécar. Tel. 958 88 15 11

Charity Bridge Tournament

Mette Owens — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:46:19 +0000

It’s heart-warming to hear when businesses in the community get together to help a great and worthy cause. This is what happened on Oct. 21st when The Language Tree and Alcoholum joined forces to host and support a Charity Bridge Tournament organized by the Costa Bridge Club. More details will follow shortly about the heart-crushing story behind the fundraising event. First, I want to give credit to these two neighbouring businesses for joining forces and tell you a little about them if you haven’t heard of them before.
The Language Tree: If you are looking to learn or improve your Spanish or English skills, the Language Tree is the school for you. The school opened in August 2008 and has just begun its second academic year. The highly qualified instructors offer classes every day, except weekends, for all ages and levels. The school also offers the preparation courses for Cambridge ESOL exams. Currently they have a waiting list for other languages, and these will start up when there is enough interest. They are located at Edificio Delfin local 7, Paseo de Cotobro, Almuñécar. Tel. 958 882 196, e-mail: thelanguagetree@gmail.com www.thelanguagetree.es
Back to the most import part, namely the Charity Bridge Tournament and the cause of the fundraiser:
I stopped by at the event and had a chat with Julia Asbury, owner of the Language Tree, and David Leake from the Costa Bridge Club. They told me the very sad story of 3-year-old Fletcher Michael Falvey, who was diagnosed with an aggressive, malignant, brain tumour (an anaplastic ependymoma) in August. On Aug. 14th he underwent 7 hours of brain surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. However, this just buys him time, as it will grow again. What he needs now is radiotherapy to deal with the remainder. Conventional radiotherapy is not an option for him as it is can be very damaging to a young brain – there are just too many side effects that could cause Fletcher problems for years to come.
For, this reason, he and his partents have had to go to America where he is currently undergoing a new and safer treatment called proton therapy, which in not available here in Europe. Unfortunately, as this treatment is relatively new, it is very expensive and will cost about 150.000 E. This is the very reason why the Costa Bridge Club organized the Charity Bridge Tournament. Julia from The Language Tree supported the event by generously donating her language school premises so the tournament could take place there. Pia Leissner from Alcoholum sponsored wine during the tournament itself and futhermore dotated 2 boxes of their Chilean Viña Maipo Bag-in-Box wines for their raffel. All the proceeds go directly in aid of Fletcher’s cause. After the tournament was finished, Alcoholum opened it´s doors to 32 players for wine-tasting.
Fletcher´s story has touched people´s heart and if you want to follow his story, he has an online diary at www.friendsoffletcher.com. If you would like to contribute with a donation (big or small) or organize your own fundraiser to help him please contact: friendsoffletcher@gmail.com

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Chamboa to Cuba

David Darby — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:05 +0000

Joaquin from El Chambao de Joaquin in La Herradura, has asked me to put an early mention in for the benefit giant paella in the Mejuelo park in Almuñécar on January 16th and 17th.
A very worthy cause and a really fun day out, with Joaquin doing his ingredient throwing antics to the delight of the crowds and photographers alike, along with great live music drink and other snacks and goodies. If you’ve not been to this even before, it’s well worth a look-in. More on this next month.

Alzheimer’s Allocation

David Darby — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:54:09 +0000

BBK Caja de Ahorros has allocated 13,000 euros towards activities at AFA VIDA in Almuñécar, and will help fund the new and innovative computer system that will assist in a cognitive stimulation program.
The money will go towards a series of brilliant activities and services all geared towards Alzheimer’s care in Almuñécar, including the purchase of a new computer with a touch screen, which will allow early stage sufferers to do brain stimulation exercises to improve their cognitive abilities in such areas as calculation, language, attention, memory or orientation.
This wonderful new piece of kit will allow staff to customise each patient’s session depending on their particular stage of the disease.
The bank are also working on various campaigns to find new non-pharmacological treatments and even activities within the volunteer program. All the ideas and programs have the sole aim of improving the quality of life for sufferers and their families. AFA VIDA is currently the only group working in the field of Alzheimer’s in the entire area of the Costa Tropical.
In 2009 BBK savings bank gave 184,000 euros to a total of ten projects in Andalucia, mostly towards the caring of people with disabilities and illnesses. The money will go towards improving the infrastructure and healthcare resources, various awareness campaigns and the comprehensive care of sick people and to their families and carers.