He XII Mírame TV Telemarathon once again met its goal of receiving enough donations to meet the needs of 40,000 canaries, 6,000 of them minors, in a situation of severe poverty. Manuel Artiles, director of the chain, “did it again”, as the motto of the call said, like Santa Claus or the Wizard King. Even the rain that appeared early in the morning later respected a event already consolidated during the Christmas season.
Accessing Mercatenerife, the scene of the event, by public transport and then on foot is not easy. The bus leaves the passenger at the nearby Santa Lastenia cemetery. From there to the access roundabout, the sidewalk for about 800 meters leads to a crossroads full of vehicles, many heavy and some at inappropriate speeds. Anyway, as a pedestrian you miss Titsa reaching the wholesale market. Solved that small traffic chaos, common on a large scale on this Island. On the way there, and on the way back of course. Occupational hazards. Everything is for the final success of the call.
Manuel Artiles did not arrive in a sleigh pulled by reindeer – his beloved totos also stayed at home – but by car. Quickly, microphone in hand, he took his place on the stage set up on the Mercatenerife esplanade, in front of the Food Bank headquarters during the six uninterrupted hours of solidarity with the less fortunate. The vulnerable of Tenerife and Canarian society, in general, because for the first time the event doubled its venue, since it was also held in the Plaza de Santiago Apóstol de Gáldar and there were about 70 official collection points in TenerifeGran Canaria and La Palma.
The initiative of the Food Banks of Canary Islands, Watch me TV and TVE, which broadcast two hours live – part of the program Cerca de tí presented by Roberto Herrera – mobilized people in solidarity. A human chain of institutions, politicians, anonymous people and volunteers whose objective was to help those who need it most through 228 entities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Not even the threat of rain could stop the generosity. The Telemarathon broke a historical record of donations in Santa Cruz and Gáldar. The largest solidarity initiative in the Canary Islands managed to allow the Food Banks to “breathe” to be able to meet the demand of those who take care of the needs of the most vulnerable, those who survive on less than 500 euros per month.
Institutions, politicians, anonymous people and volunteers once again form the solid chain of solidarity
An endless tide of individuals, companies (more than a hundred), public and private entities, associations and groups managed to exceed the organization’s expectations and turned into a great party, which was experienced live on Mírame Televisión and TVE, the collection of food, clothing, toys, specific products for babies and help for animal protectors.
The sirens of the vehicles of the state security forces and bodies announced the start of the day. Hundreds of volunteers, the Army – the first to pass with two large vehicles –, the National Policethe Civil Guardthe Local Police, Civil Protection… An infinite number of institutions, folklore groups and a representation of the groups of the Carnival They covered the Telemarathon.
There was no shortage of politicians either. From the president of Council, Rosa Davila, who was celebrating his birthday, to the vice president, Lope Afonso, and the counselor of Social Action, Águeda Fumero. Of the mayor of Santa Cruz de TenerifeJosé Manuel Bermúdez, a classic, accompanied by his Festival Councilor, Javier Caraballero, to the vice president of the Parliament of the Canary Islandsthe socialist Gustavo Matos.
But also anonymous people like volunteers. Miriam Cañadas, of the Food Bank lI organized you first thing in the morning in three shifts during the day until we reached almost 100. Like Pedro who always comes to help and was proud for another year,
The Food Bank “breathes” in a particularly complicated year
Nelson Concepción, from Sonrisas del Suroeste, also distributed his boys to classify everything donated and begin the distribution today.
Miguel, who manages the La Pausita bar with his wife, Sara, is willing to help again. Happy to give sandwiches to volunteers or distribute coffees thanks to the generosity of the wholesale firm El Templo.
Famous and unknown artists also collaborate with their performances. From the 25 boys, from 10 years old onwards, from the Choreographic Group of the Echeyde School, who opened the event with the song from Van Gogh’s La Oreja La luz que born en ti to the renowned DJ Renzo, the selector who put the finishing touch final gold.
Hernán Cerón, president of the Tenerife Food Bank, thanked Artiles and Mírame for their collaboration in “keeping us afloat since 2009.” He understands that “this eIt’s a very complicated year due to people’s difficultiesbut generosity is in the genes of the canaries and it is demonstrated.
Manuel Artiles said “thank you all.” He specifically referred to “the exceptional generosity of the people of Gran Canaria in the first simultaneous celebration, especially the delivery of the Gáldar Town Hall.” He insisted that “we have once again achieved the challenge set and this makes me very happy,” he said. Artiles showed himself like this, “together with Canarian society.”
Happy for “having achieved the first goal of help 6,000 babies and children from families in severe poverty “They already have food and personal hygiene products guaranteed for the next three months.”
He recalled that “the first months of the year are the most complicated and we guarantee the supply not only of perishable food but also fresh food for these 40,000 precarious people.” Happy ending with the triumph of solidarity. The Wizard King Manuel Artiles has done it again.
