While receiving gifts is undeniably wonderful, there’s a unique joy that comes from giving. This month, we’re highlighting some incredible causes that may inspire you to embrace the joy of giving.
The Reverse Advent Calendar
This seasonal initiative aims to highlight the joy of giving at this time of year. The donor families create personalised boxes filled with food, toiletries and gifts from their households for the most in need in our community.
The organisers provide you with information on the families, suggestions on what to donate, a drop-off location for those that would like, a calendar template for children to colour/tick off daily as they “countdown to giving this Christmas.”
This year, donors need to deliver their boxes on Friday, 15 December, at designated drop-off locations in the Lagos and Luz areas. Exceptions for other areas and earlier delivery times may be possible on request at the time of registering for the initiative.
To participate, please send an email with your name and note if delivery on the 15 December in the Lagos or Luz areas will be possible for you.
Chantelle Kortekaas, Bernadette Abbott and The Algarve Network for Families in Need
Shoe Boxes for CASLAS
The children´s home in Lagos featured on page 72 is looking for people to donate a festive shoebox for the residents to add some joy to their Christmas. They are currently looking for people to fill a show box of treats for two girls, aged 16 and 18 and eight young men, aged between 16 to 20, who currently have no sponsors. The presentation to the youngsters will be at 2 pm on 6 December.
Lois: herringtonlois@gmail.com
Algarve Families in Need
The Algarve charity Families in Need would like to thank all Tomorrow readers for the amazing support that has been offered to the families they support throughout this year. “So many families have been helped through very difficult times in their lives and we feel humbled that we are able to be a part of this,” says founder Bernadette Abbott.
But, this Christmas, they are, once again, asking for your help. On 16 December, they will be holding a fun day at Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters in Albufeira to try to raise funds to assist families in need with the provision of sight tests and glasses for their children.
The charity is now appealing to individuals and companies for donations of prizes for a tombola and raffle. The tickets will be sold online from 9 December and the draw will take place on the fun day. Any donation will be gratefully received, but they are particularly asking for vouchers, homemade food items, bottles of anything and any other items you think may encourage people to buy tickets for this very worthy cause.
If you can help with any donation, please contact:
Lagos and the West – Sandra Thompson: tommosj101@gmail.com
Central Algarve – Halcyon Hollowood: halcyonhollowood@icloud.com
East Algarve – Stuart Mullen: + 351 932 666 005 (WhatsApp is preferable)
Make this Christmas Special
Christmas can be challenging for families who are struggling financially. They may be unable to buy presents or treats for their children. Casa Merame Real Estate are hoping to spread some joy this Christmas by asking people to donate new, unwrapped toys, books, or holiday sweets for children aged 0 to 18.
Drop off your donations at Casa Merame’s office: Rua Victor da Costa e Silva 32 B in Lagos.
Sponsor Algarve Wildlife
Every year, the two wildlife recovery centres in the Algarve, RIAS and CERVAS, carry out a joint Christmas campaign to raise funds for their maintenance and management.
So this Christmas, you may want to sponsor an animal instead of buying a human a present! By offering sponsorship, you will be contributing to the work of both centres. There are two sponsorship packages available, which include the possibility of watching the sponsored animal return to nature, among other gifts. Become an active member of wildlife conservation in Portugal!
