Thanks to the generosity of the local community, the Silves-based family charity Castelo de Sonhos (CdeS) once again reached its target of 200 shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts.
This campaign is now in its 17th year and is greatly appreciated by the elderly within Silves Council.
CdeS received enough extra boxes to be able to give seven to the Algarve Emporium, which help families in Tunes, plus 12 to the Alcantarilha Church, which help lonely elderly folk in their area.
CdeS wishes to thank everyone who donated Christmas boxes, especially Silves Rotary Club, Kathleen Keys and friends, Nada Louw, Paul and Pasi and the Portimão Moonlighters Group, who not only gave filled boxes but also made many gifts to sell at the CdeS Christmas Fair.
Thanks also go to The Algarveans Theatre Group which organised a knitting group to make warm presents to go inside the boxes.
Also, thanks to Sheena Rawcliffe for her knitted blankets and shawls, etc., and, last but by no means least, thanks go to the Holiday Inn for receiving and helping with delivery of boxes.
For the second year, due to Covid restrictions, CdeS were unable to hold their annual family Christmas party at Fissul (which is now the Silves vaccination centre).
Instead, the poorest 55 families on the CdeS Food Bank register received a food hamper full of festive goodies, and the children were given new toys, books etc. donated by Alcantarilha crèche Estação dos Pequeninos and Hotel Vila Galé.
CdeS wishes to thank everyone who made donations towards purchasing festive food for the hampers. In particular, thanks go to the 41 Club for their very generous donation of €500.
A very happy and healthy New Year to all the CdeS volunteers and to all those who helped to make Christmas extra special for so many disadvantaged families and lonely elderly folk. Thank you.
