The result of many months of work as well as the kindness and generosity of donors across the Algarve, has meant that ACCA, in its joint campaign with Castelo dos Sonhos, has topped its previous best by providing back-to-school essentials for more than 700 needy youngsters who, without the charity’s help, would not be able to take part in classes. Back packs loaded with exercise books, pencils and pens, rubbers and rulers, compasses and calculators have now been distributed and will make a big difference to the lives of the recipients.
ACCA’s Gwenda Daud who heads the annual drive, Sue Coles Butler of Castelo dos Sonhos and Su Davies of Families in Need in the Algarve, were overwhelmed by the response to their request for support and would like to thank everyone who left items at the elected drop off points throughout the region, dropped coins in collection boxes or donated by bank transfer. Without that extra help, the campaign would not have been able to meet its ambitious target.
The biggest donor this year was Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago, who gave €1,000, and items for school were also bought through a charity distribution centre. Other real estate companies donated too, in large and small amounts. Substantial monies came from Arm in Arm - The Charity Van; Monte da Palhagueira Retirement Village Book Club; Carvoeiro Masons; CASA Social Club; East Algarve Walking Football; St Luke's Church Palhagueira and Pereiras Church Almancil.
Thanks go, too, to the Golf Shack and Overseas Supermercados Portugal. One lady donated from Canada getting her friends involved; another asked those attending her birthday party to bring donations to the back to school programme instead of buying her gifts; and a further donor gave a great quantity of Portuguese dictionaries for students beginning 2º cyclo .
For further information about ACCA initiatives and how you can get involved, contact gwendadaud@gmail.com
