(ANS - Madrid) - Thousands of poor families have been helped, thanks to the solidarity campaigns carried out during the Christmas period in the Salesian Youth Centres of Spain. 71,899 kg of food was collected, plus 6,115 kilograms of toys, also 2,755 kg clothes and more than €34,000.

In several cities and towns in Spain, thousands of young people decided to devote their free time to support needy families who are struggling in these difficult times of economic crisis.

There was a great variety of charitable activities. There were traditional campaigns to collect food, toys or clothes (Operación Kilo, Operación Potito, Operación Chariot…).  Some initiatives combined art and solidarity, as for example Ardigalia, a programme of the performing arts set up by the Youth Association of Barasona (Monzón, Huesca) which raised about €350 for the NGO Manos Unidas.

One innovative initiative was the Christmas Crib Solidarity organized by the Albada Youth Association (Utrera, Seville). Hundreds of people visited and were able to sponsor a particular statue in the crib through a symbolic offering. This raised €800 which went to benefit a project called "I will not hesitate to laugh again," organized by the association to help children at risk of social exclusion in the neighbourhood of La Paz. There was also Quilocerto, a charity concert organized by the Abeiro Youth Centre in La Coruna, where the entrance fee was €2 + a kilo of food.

Some initiatives have become well established over the years, such as the football tournament organized by the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Santiago de Compostela, the campaign by Auryn Youth Centre in Leon to collect books and toys, or the Quinto Solidarilottery by the Salesian Youth Centre in Terrassa.

All the youth centres and associations agree in emphasizing the success of this year’s effort and the increase in donations over previous years. All this had been possible thanks to the cooperation of ordinary citizens, small shops, large supermarkets, food companies, toy stores and pharmacies.

Twenty-five campaigns were registered. Together they collected 71,899 kg of food, 6,115 kg of toys, 2,755 kg of clothing, €34,156, 80 books, 400 school articles, and 150,000 first aid kits. It is estimated that through these collections 2,271 households and 7,431 people were helped. All this was due to the commitment and hard work of 2,741 volunteers.

Published 23/01/2014