Os Mosqueteiros – the group that owns Intermarché, Bricomarché and Roady stores in Portugal – has donated €120,000 to eight charities across Portugal.
A total of €14,500 of the sum has gone to Associação Algarvia de Pais e Amigos de Crianças Diminuídas Mentais (AAPACDM) – an association of parents and friends of children with intellectual disabilities in the Algarve.
The money was divided between the charities depending on how many votes they received on the initiative’s website (www.votosfelizes.pt). In other words, the group donated €2 for every vote a selected charity received.
In the Algarve, the money donated to AAPACDM will be used to purchase new tables and chairs for its cafeteria in Faro, as well as purchase new furniture and equipment, and paint the kitchen at its premises in Santa Bárbara de Nexe, where its occupational activities centre is located.
Says Os Mosqueteiros, the charity supports 177 youngsters in need every day in the Algarve, helping them develop the skills they need to complete certain tasks independently.
The other charities aided in the initiative include Associação de Lares Familiares para Crianças e Jovens – Novo Futuro – Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia), Associação para Desenvolvimento das Comunidades Locais (Guimarães), Banco de Bens Doados (Lisbon), Centro de Educação Especial de Rio Maior “O Ninho” (Santarém), Centro Social Padre Bastos (Peniche), Centro Social Paroquial de Nª Senhora da Conceição da Costa da Caparica (Almada) and Porta Mágica – Associação de Solidariedade Social (Évora).