At Católica's Solidarity Christmas Market "volunteering goes beyond what is done on site"
"The importance of free and responsible activities such as that of the volunteer cannot be underestimated." These were the words of the Vice-Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, at the Solidarity Christmas Market. Held at the UCP headquarters, this event also marked International Volunteer Day, celebrated on December 5.
The Christmas Market brought together 17 institutions that support various causes, from people in situations of social vulnerability to animals, to the environment, among others, for a solidarity Christmas gift sale.
This market "is a platform to raise funds for the partner institutions of the VIDA Project - Volunteering at Católica", explained Sofia Mendonça, responsible for the initiative. "Universidade Católica Portuguesa is committed to volunteering", she added, noting: "we currently have 375 students enrolled in this first year of the VIDA Project's launch, of which about 60 are already integrated in social solidarity institutions".
One of them is the Associação Santa Teresa de Jesus - Dignidade e Desenvolvimento, which supports people in the social neighbourhoods of Quinta das Fonsecas and Calçada and Bairro do Rego. "It is a great joy to be starting a partnership with Universidade Católica Portuguesa, which is offering us volunteers to work with children from social neighbourhoods," said Júlia Barroso, representative of the association. "Participating in the Christmas market was an opportunity to talk about our association and the various projects," she added.
About the importance of the initiative, Joana Almeida, a student of CATÓLICA-LISBON and volunteer of the VIDA Project, said: "Volunteering goes beyond what is done on-site, it's also about fundraising and spreading the word. If we weren't here, many people wouldn't know that these institutions need help."
This was "the first of many editions of the Solidarity Christmas Market", guaranteed Sofia Mendonça. An event organized "in the hope of a more just and fraternal world," as stated by Vice-Rector José Manuel Pereira de Almeida.