Brethren of Las Salinas Lodge No.79 Make a Food Donation to Alimentos Solidarios

The Brethren of Logia de Las Salinas No.79 have donated 1,300 € worth of food produce to the Alimentos Solidarios located in C/San Pascual, Torrevieja

Alimentos Solidarios fulfil a much needed task in feeding the needy of Torrevieja and supplying several hundred meals per week as well as milk an other necessities.

The Immediate Past Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. John Edwards had made the Alimentos Solidarios his nominated charity for his year in the Chair and along with funds raised via his Ladies Festival as well as a donation from the CHarity Fund of the Lodge, the Charity Steward for that year, W.Bro. Eddy Davies worked with local suppliers to secure 1,300 € worth of produce for a total cost of 1,000 €, all of which was donated to the centre.

Pictured are W.Bro. Eddy Davies, Mrs. Joan Edwards, Senor Juanjo (coordinator from Alimentos Solidarios) and W.Bro. John Edwards.

Senor Juanjo will be attending the January Saltpot for an official presentation.

More details on the activities of Alimentos Solidarios can be found at their website…
http://alimentos.kuentame.com/

Local Masons donate to El Preventorio Children’s Home in Gandia

On Thursday, 24^th November, WBro Keith Alcock, representing White River Lodge and who is also the Provincial Grand Charity Steward of Valencia, visited El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia to donate gifts collected largely from the Brethren of White River Lodge. The gifts consisted of no fewer than eight bin liners crammed with goodies and even more bags and boxes filled with toys and sweets. The larger bags were filled with clothes, shoes, games and toys for the children to help celebrate Christmas. Some were donated by Mason’s friends in the UK and brought back especially for the children. We were accompanied, as always, by Ms Silvia Barnish who regularly gives up her free time to help both the children and us. She acts as our liaison and translator and without her our visits would be much more difficult.

As many of the shoes and some of the toys were brand new, these were separated to be gift wrapped and put towards the gifts each child would receive for Christmas. The rest would be donated to children as and when needed. We were also greeted by old friend Sr Jorge Luengo, one of the many carers who help to run the home. He was a little tired this trip as he had just completed his first Valencia marathon at the weekend in a very creditable time of 3Hr37. Well done Jorge! As always the staff were incredibly grateful to receive these gifts and warmly thanked the Brothers of White River Lodge and indeed all the Brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia for their long and continuing support.

Sadly, as is always the case, the home still need donations on a long term basis. They are now looking after around fifty-five children including some who are disabled. They receive no money from the state and all work is completed by volunteers and donations from the general public. If you feel able to donate either money or gifts I can be contacted on the email address given below. Items can also be left at the offices of Bay Radio in Javea who also support this charity on a long term basis. Please think, are you are able to offer just one toy to some child who otherwise may not get one? As many children are looking forward to a new PC, IPad or other electronic goody, these children are hoping for a second hand toy costing maybe a few euros when new. Please try to help.

If you need further information about the work of El Preventorio or if you are interested in Freemasonry please contact me and I will answer all your questions.

prensa@glpvalencia.com

WBro William Turney Press Officer

Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia.

Local Freemasons continue support for Raquel Paya Special Needs School in Denia.

The Immediate Past Master of Logia Deportiva No 83, WBro Glyn Walters, is seen presenting a cheque for 500 euros to Miguel Lillimani, the Director of the Raquel Paya school. This money was raised from a fashion show held earlier in the year and, along with other events, represents total donations of 2,800 euros given this year alone to help the school. This donation will enable them to purchase specially adapted computer software as a teaching aid for speech therapy for use by children with vocal disabilities.

The Lodge has supported the school over the past seven years with the provision of specialist equipment ranging from a wheelchair swing, elevating massage tables, computers, training appliances and a dedicated mood and relaxation room. The School cares for those between 3 and 18 years old who need special care.

Students from the catering department are also pictured with their teachers, Bea Mayor and Niever Ramires, who prepared a lovely selection of sweet and savoury refreshments which were greatly enjoyed by all present.

The Logia Deportiva support for the school was started in 2009 by WBro Dave Oliver and then Worshipful Master WBro Neville Jackson who is pictured with the 2016 Charity Steward and Past Master WBro Darrell Clayton along with newest member of the Lodge Bro Peter Johnson. The party was also attended by our ladies and our Secretary WBro William Lloyd.

 If you would like further information about donating to the Raquel Paya school or would like more information about Freemasonry please contact me on the email given below

prensa@glpvalencia.com

WBro William Turney   Press Officer

Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia

A welcome early Christmas Present for the ‘Make a Smile’ Charity

On Friday, 18th November, Bernard Wilson, secretary of The Masonic Home of Valencia Association, presented a cheque for 2000 Euros to the ‘Make A Smile’ Charity. This money was largely raised by the charity shop in Moraira which does a splendid job in raising money for good causes. This is one of those worthy causes and is an organization for mentally challenged children based at a home in Relleu, just inland from Benidorm. Using existing land and equipment the ‘Make A Smile’ charity has created a self sufficient farm that provides occupational therapy for the 24 youngsters based there. This not only teaches them self reliance but also provides useful knowledge which may help them to get jobs and better integrate into society – always a great aim!

The children grow vegetables, and harvest the olives from more than 1000 olive trees. These are later turned into olive oil and sold. They also produce more than 750 eggs a week from around 220 chickens, all of which are also then sold to the general public.

This donation  from The Association will help to buy flannelette sheets and pyjamas for the youngsters to help them keep warm over the winter as, unfortunately, the home cannot afford to keep the heat on all night in their bedrooms. It will also be used to take all the children for a special Christmas treat to enable them to go somewhere like Alicante to at least see the lights.

The picture shows the presentation by Bernard to Barbara and Dennis Carrier, leaders of the recycling team, at the El Cid restaurant who run weekly auctions in Benidoleig who work continuously by taking in unwanted furniture and bric a brac, which they mend, fix up and recycle to be sold at local auctions. Great work, whereby they recycle unwanted goods, preventing them from going into rubbish skips and landfill sites and, at the same time, raise money for a very worthwhile cause.

If you would like to help this very worthwhile cause or seek further information regarding the Masonic Home of Valencia, or even if you are just interested in finding out a little more about Freemasonry, please contact me at the following email address when I will be glad to answer all your questions.

prensa@glpvalencia.com

WBro William Turney   Press Officer
Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia.