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8 - 14 february 2013
Clear vision provided for the Children of EMAUS
Food on tap
WATER COMPANY Aguas de Calpe has made a 30,000€ donation to purchase food and help support hungry families in the town. Mayor Cesar Sanchez said the money will purchase food for the Food Bank run by the town hall’s social services. Since its launch last April, the Calpe Food Bank has distributed more than 20,000kg of food and is regularly helping more than 80 families, representing more than 400 people.
by Patricia Thompson
SPECSAVERS OPTICAS in Calpe met with Carole Saunders and Montserrant Filter from the Children of EMAUS charity this month to confirm the store’s on-going commitment to providing free sight tests and glasses for EMAUS’ children during 2013. Specsavers Calpe has been providing complimentary glasses for the charity’s children over the last 18 months and was also involved in their Christmas toy collection drive. The Friends of the Children of EMAUS are a completely voluntary group based in the Northern Costa Blanca, whose purpose is to raise much-needed funds to improve the lives of the children in the EMAÚS children’s shelters. They are also developing relationships with local businesses and individuals to secure much-needed products and services for the children. Montserrat commented that this sort of direct help for the children had been essential, particularly over the last few years as the Association has relied more
Heavy petting L to R: Montserrant Filter, Claus Weger, and Carole Saunders
and more on local individuals, businesses and charities to help plug the gap left by the reduction in direct funding. Mike Stone of Specsavers Calpe confirmed their on-going commitment to the charity: “Children’s vision can change quickly when they are growing, so it’s important we provide continuous support to ensure they get the care that they need. We’re delighted to be in-
volved in such an important cause.” To find out how you can support the children of EMAUS visit www.fcemaus. friendsofthechildrenofemaus.com Specsavers Opticas in Calpe is located in Avenida Ejércitos Españoles No. 6, Edificio Apolo VII, Local 22. To book your free eye test call 96 583 5367, or to find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es
by Jack Troughton MARINA ALTA school children are taking part in a new initiative aimed at preventing abuse and neglect of family pets. Denia Town Hall is teaching youngsters the responsibility of having a pet and particularly focuses on the welfare of dogs – a team visiting primary schools and around 240 young students. The message is taught in a visual story format and tells the story of a puppy arriving as a Christmas present but becoming ignored and abandoned as it grows older. It does have a happy ending – a new family adopts the dog. The children also see the work of animal charity APAD with pictures of its shelter in Denia and some of its lost or abandoned dogs. Councillor Juan Carlos Signes said the aim of the project was to instil in the youngsters the correct value and behaviour when living with a pet. And it was found more than half the children had a pet at home – mostly dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and sometimes more exotic creatures.