The mission of Rotary Club Estoi Palace (RCEPI) has always been to help in the local community and since 2017 RCEPI together with the local school authority Agrupamento de Escolas Pinheiro e Rosa have organized an annual “Arraial”/Charity Party in Estoi.
The first Charity Party in 2017 raised over 5000 euros to help a local Estoi university student who was losing her sight due to a congenital eye condition, to complete her university studies and help with her medical treatment.
Last year’s Arraial rasied nearly 7000 euros to help another local Estoi girl, Margarida, who has a rare congenital hip disease, have a much needed operation, so she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Other organisations, such as ACCA also contributed funds to raise the total needed for this first operation.
The procedure was carried out at the end of August and the surgeon is delighted with Margarida’s progress. He wants to do the next operation or her other hip before the end of the year and funds are urgently needed to cover this, as the cost will be in excess of 12.000 euros. Margarida’s family is registered with the Faro Food Bank and are not in a position to cover this, and the health service also does not have the resources to carry out such a complicated 
operation. The money will need to be raised by donations and fund raising events.
On the 9th of October the community came together to help Margarida again. The 3rd Charity Party (3.º Arraial Estoi Solidário) was held at the Poeta Emiliano da Costa School in Estoi. Despite the inclement weather nearly 300 people came along to show their support for her. The ticket price was 6 euros which included a sandwich, a drink and live entertainment.
The food was prepared and donated by local people and businesses. The entertainment was provided by Rancho Foclórico de Santa Bárbara de Nexe, Karaté da Conceição de Faro – Estoi, Valter Reis, ReLight e StayZen, Cristina Paulo, UrbanXpression, José Manuel Ferreira, Serafim, contador de histórias and Baía, who all generously also gave their time for free.
Starting at 6.00pm, the party went on until 11.00pm. Around 5000€ was raised, which will go towards supporting Margarida with her surgery.
Both organisers are immensely grateful to everyone who provided food, entertainment and prizes and to all those who came along to support and enjoy the occasion.
If you would like to help Margarida and for further information on RC Estoi Palace International contact moc@rotaryestoipalace.org, or see our website www.rotaryestoipalace.org.
