December 11 saw the São Lourenço Singers return to the Dom José Beach Hotel in Quarteira for their 2nd annual Christmas Concert.
The choir, under the leadership and piano playing of Joyce Whitelaw, performed to a packed house. The event surely moved the audience into a true holiday spirit as they generously donated over €1,000 to the Pirilampos orphans home near Albufeira.
A number of children from the home were present. They were treated to a traditional Alentejo Christmas song, “Natal d’Elvas”. At the end of the concert they helped to collect donations from the audience. The Pirilampos home for very young boys and girls was built in 1979 and is part of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Albufeira. The home currently houses 17 children who go to a local crèche or school. When they get older they will then move to Gaivota home in Albufeira and go to secondary school.
Joyce Whitelaw thanked the audience for its kindness and generous support of Pirilampos. The donations, to be used for clothing and shoes, will make for a warmer and more comfortable festive season for the children.
