ReachExtra
Many associations and groups in the Campo de Gibraltar devote themselves to those in need
The Campo de Gibraltar has always been a caring region, more so at Christmas time, when our tendency towards consumerism should not imply that we forget the meaning of the verb “to share”… Which is (or should be) the true spirit of Christmas.
In Algeciras, associations such as the Food Bank, Caritas, Comedor del Carmen or Padre Cruceyra go the extra mile so that the work carried out by volunteers reaches more families, and that food donations include products typical of the festivities. Other groups concentrate on collecting toys, new and used, essential so that youngsters can continue to believe in the magic of Christmas, whether or not their family can afford it. Some, like the Reyes Magos 98 association, are facing their last Christmas after 20 years of selfless work. But, despite a shortage of volunteers, its president, Francisco Carrascal, was still at work this year, in a store near the covered Sports hall.
Also making dreams come true since its start is the local TV station Onda Algeciras, with its Open Day on the 28 December; last year it collected 1,500 toys. It’s not the only media involved in work like this: Radio Algeciras (SER) has once again this year started its campaign “A Loving Christmas”.
In Tarifa, it’s important to highlight the work carried out by groups like Tarifeños Solidarios or the Moto Club “A tu aire”, which has been collecting toys for the Red Cross every November for the past 7 years.
In Los Barrios, the Medinaceli Brotherhood has for years been organizing a collection, one Saturday morning, through the streets of the town, when a group of men carry an empty stretcher onto which people can put non-perishable foodstuffs and toys. This year, the event is planned for the 22 December.
In La Linea, caring for others is synonymous with sense of identity. Numerous associations and bodies collect toys for the needy. Entities like Circulo Mercantil or Union Deportiva have been doing this for many years, as has Caritas. They are joined by others like Nuevo Hogar Betania, which has for the past 6 years been organising a collection of toys for children up to the age of 15.
The collection will continue until the 2 January. Those interested in cooperating can take new toys to Nuevo Hogar Betania, 152 Calle Gibraltar. They must be new toys.
Solidarios con los Niños has this year organized a Christmas tea for the families it looks after.
Sponsorship Letters
Apoyo Mutuo has been collecting toys for the past 5 years for children all over the Campo de Gibraltar. People from all over Spain can sponsor a child via the letters that the children write to the Three Kings and which are shared on Facebook. “The Campo de Gibraltar really gets involved and these last two years, presents have arrived from all over Spain. The Amazon delivery persons could not believe their eyes. Every year I renew my faith in human nature during these days”, says Montse Gavilan, the association’s president and founder.
Castellar and Jimena also have bodies dedicated to this type of work. The Campo de Gibraltar is such a caring community that it is impossible to name them all.
