Octoberfesta, a charity event on October 16, aims to raise enough money to repair the roof of the Vale Silves Community Centre in Boliqueime, estimated to cost 7,000 Euros.
The Community Centre is a non-profit making organisation that plays a vital role in providing support to many disadvantaged and low-income members of the local community.
Some of the services the centre provides include ‘meals on wheels’ for 40 elderly folk with another 160 on their waiting list, a play centre for 40 children, aged between six and 12, whose parents are either single, on low-income or unemployed, a day centre for the aged and support for adolescents, with a team of volunteers providing advice and counselling on drugs and alcohol abuse.
The Vale Silves Community Centre was built entirely from funds raised by local residents. It receives some financial aid from the Social Services and the local Câmara, but is still operating with a shortfall and rely on income from private entities and fundraising events such as
the Octoberfesta.
A recent storm caused serious roof damage and the collapse of a false ceiling at the Community Centre. “It is vital these repairs are completed before the winter so the hall can continue to hold their essential money-raising events,” said a spokesman for the centre. “Please support the centre by coming to our Octoberfesta.”
For more information on the event, which starts at 7pm and costs 20 Euros per person, please call Marianne Guerreiro on 289 360 079.
