Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic and thanks to the massive response of institutions, companies or individuals, the Solidarity Telemarathon of Mírame TV and the Food Bank of Tenerife has met the challenge: collect donations to distribute them among the least favored people of the society; from those who are on the poverty line to those affected by the La Palma volcano.
The solidarity Telemarathon of Mírame TV and the Tenerife Food Bank has met its particular challenge: help 30,000 vulnerable canaries. Warehouse number 10 of Mercatenerife, the headquarters of Banco Teide, has become the great set of solidarity for more than five hours. Manuel Artiles, director of the channel and organizer, showed his “satisfaction” for achieving the objective of alleviating those islanders mired in poverty and those affected by the La Palma volcano, which this year are also protagonists. The designer of the idea, in which you have collaborated THE DAY, appreciates the support of more than a hundred companies, entities, institutions and individuals who have turned to donate 50 tons of food, toys and personal hygiene items destined for families in difficult situations.
The queues of vehicles have collapsed access to the island’s wholesale trade precinct
Under the direction of Artiles = and with strict sanitary measures to guarantee the safety of the event, the Solidarity Telemarathon has once again exceeded the most optimistic forecasts. All thanks to a tide of solidarity that has made it possible to fill the warehouses of the Food Bank, an entity that will manage all the donations so that no canary feels helpless this Christmas. The distribution will be made through 157 NGOs spread throughout the Canary Islands. The Telemarathon was broadcast by Mírame Televisión and by Televisión Española in the Canary Islands.
A queue of vehicles has collapsed the entrance to the wholesale trade area on the island for several moments of a day that lasted beyond five in the afternoon, the scheduled closing time. More than a hundred trucks, vans and other similar models have arrived loaded with products for the most vulnerable. From basic necessities for babies and children between 0 and 6 years old to toys, new, not sexist or warlike, gifts for the elderly of the residences and the precious aid directed to the animal protectors.
The initiative would not reach its current magnitude were it not for donations from the main firms that carry out their activity in the Canary Islands and from groups that add up year after year. More than a hundred companies have donated, either in the previous days or during the day, at the 80 points set up for affection on the Island, Gran Canaria and La Gomera. They have highlighted, for example, the contributions of educational centers such as Echeyde or the College of Nursing and the NGO that hosts in parallel, Solidaridad Nurse. In addition, three spaces have been set up for individual deliveries located in Plaza del Príncipe (Santa Cruz), Plaza del Adelantado (La Laguna) and Puntalarga Shopping Center (Candelaria). In all the day has developed “at a very good pace.” After the closure, what was collected has been transferred to Warehouse 10 of Mercatenerife.
Manuel Artiles, organizer, shows his “satisfaction” for the success in a “difficult” moment
The list of collaborators It is as long as it is worth highlighting: Asprocan, Rotary Club, Episcan, Emmasa, Mutua Tinerfeña, El Corte Mágico, Coca Cola, Fuente Alta, Automatic Canaries, Comercial Galdona, Juguetería Arvelo, Pan de Tenerife, Pastelerías El Rayo, Hotel Spring, Canary Protected, Café El Caracol, Food Pérez Brito, Gifts, Sports Health, Libbys, Distribuciones La Reina, the gofio mills of Las Mercedes, Las Molinetas and El Sauzal, Cofarte or the CSIF union, as well as a collection of workers from the Tenerife tram.
Different personalities have also passed through Mercatenerife. Among others, the president of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Gustavo Matos placeholder image; that of the island council, Pedro Martin; its vice president, Enrique Arriaga, or the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Jose Manuel Bermudez. They have appreciated the enormous solidarity of the people who have not failed in difficult moments.
The event was enlivened by various musical performances such as those offered by the duo K-narias, the Echeyde Ballet or the singer Iván Troyano-
Ship 10 has been approached during the day by troops from Army, UME, Local Police of Santa Cruz, Civil Protection, the Samur or logistics companies like Intesa. It is worth highlighting the presence of the Capital Natural Environment Unit or the Cabildo de Tenerife Highway Service.
Manuel Artiles assesses: «It was difficult to bring this event indoors in order to comply with sanitary measures, as we are used to organizing them in open spaces. But it has been a success. He adds: “It is satisfying to show the solidarity of our Canarian society when the pandemic is there with these tremendous data on infections.”
Warehouse 10 of Mercatenerife receives contributions from companies and entities throughout the day
Artiles celebrates his thirteenth telemarathon in nine years because in two of them, when the crisis hit hardest, the edition was double, in May and December. It is also enthusiastic about the regional nature of this edition thanks to the participation of the two provincial Food Banks and 157 NGOs. He understands that “we have improved in direct aid to dignify those who receive it thanks to the Food Banks, NGOs and solidarity companies.” Manuel Artiles took advantage of the closing of the event to thank the social participation and launch a message of support to the organizations that voluntarily work every day to combat poverty on the islands. “Today is a very important day because we once again show that we live in a generous land,” stressed the director of Mírame Televisión. He recalled that “this year we could not fail because our brothers from La Palma need us.”
The communicator has insisted that it is not possible to lower our guard because poverty lurks around every corner. And he has summarized: «People who live comfortably can end up in social services in the face of an unexpected setback; We have to show solidarity because we may be the next to need help. More than six hours of solidarity Telemarathon will help 30,000 canaries living in poverty to have access to basic resources. Challenge achieved.
Arona, the example of a municipality
The Arona society has contributed a ton of products in the framework of the Mírame TV Telemarathon. The mayor, José Julián Mena, has delivered food, toys, clothing and supplies for animals donated by sports clubs, associations and commercial areas, neighbors, entities such as the Radio-Taxi collective and municipal personnel. Arona has been this year the reference collection point in the South Region of the Island. Mena has valued: “Together we are stronger”. The southern councilor has highlighted “the fundamental role of actions like this to support and cooperate in the work of social services as promoters of support for the most vulnerable with the accent on those who suffer the most at this time.” Mena recalled that “Arona returns the generosity received in situations such as the collapse in Los Cristianos. Now answer ».
