Charitable sales, gift boxes … These solidarity initiatives for Christmas in Monaco
Charitable associations have launched their solidarity operations, on the occasion of the end of year celebrations.
If Christmas most often evokes large family meals, chocolates from the Advent calendar or even the tree and gifts, Christmas is also an opportunity to come together and show solidarity with those who cannot enjoy the holidays. December 24 festivities. This is why associations, mobilized throughout the year, redouble their efforts for the end of year celebrations and invite everyone to participate.
Gift boxes for the homeless and precarious students
This operation gains in popularity as the years pass: the goal is to recover a shoebox, to wrap it and slip in several small gifts: something warm (like gloves or a hat), something chose a good (non-perishable and does not need to be cooked), a hobby (such as a book or a playbook), a beauty product (male or female, to be indicated on the box) and a sweet word.
For the second year in a row, this Christmas boxes operation is organized by the association Sowers of Hope Monaco, which helps the poor and the homeless. Monegasque humanitarian aid, which supports students in precarious situations, is participating in the movement this year. Gift boxes will therefore be given to poor families and precarious students.
It is important to bring this love and this sincerity with a gesture a little different from what we do in the year
Floréal Franch, president and co-founder of Semeurs d’Espoir
For a month and a half, associations have been collecting shoe boxes, supplied by the Capucine, Courir, Kappa and Aldo stores. It is therefore possible to pick one up at 3 rue Princesse Caroline. Once held and completed, they will be handed over before December 19 at the entrance to the Carrefour de Monaco store, in Fontvieille. In 2020, nearly fifty boxes were collected and then distributed in Nice and Menton. The Monaco City Hall had supported the initiative by donating chocolates and soft toys.
For Floréal Franch, president and co-founder of Semeurs d’Espoir, this approach is particularly important as the end of the year holidays approach: ” [Noël] is a period that marks the exclusion of these people in difficulty. They do not meet with family. It is therefore important to tell them “we have thought of you for Christmas”. It is important to bring this love and this sincerity with a gesture that is a little different from what we do during the year.”
Operation “A light for Christmas”
The Monegasque Red Cross and Fight Aids Monaco also provide daily support to the most disadvantaged. But for the end of the year celebrations, these two associations are setting up, in partnership with the Monaco City Hall, the operation “A light for Christmas”, for the second year.
Since last November 29, an online platform was launched to collect donations that will be donated to the Monegasque Red Cross and Fight Aids Monaco. Each donation turns on a small light on the virtual tree, present on the platform.
Banners have also been placed at the foot of the Christmas Village tree. Visitors can scan the QR Code on these banners to access the donation site. ” The goal is for the tree to be fully illuminated“, Explains Danièle Cottalorda, communications manager for the Red Cross.
For the first time this year, screen-printed Christmas balls and cookies will be on sale at a price of four euros each at the Dubai Pavilion stand in the Christmas village, as well as at the headquarters of the two organizing associations. ” This is the opportunity to have fun, or to please by offering it to someone else», Adds Chloé Barranco, of Fight Aids Monaco.
And here again, the Christmas period is important: ” Christmas, when people are isolated or destitute, it is sad, while Christmas is a time of joy. People are in particular need of reassurance, even though the Red Cross stands in solidarity all year round“, Emphasizes Danièle Cottalorda.
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