NEWSLETTER APRIL 2018
Hello Members,
March flew by, so much happening both at the Drop In Centre and fund raising events for Tasha Lynch who as you are aware desperately needs specialist treatment in the USA. Some of us joined Stevie Spit and his team of fantastic entertainers on 30th March at the Orihuela Costa Resort where over €16,000 was raised. 2nd April at the Emerald Isle €3,452, and at Zenia Boulevard last weekend €300 was donated with bucket collections. Andy Lynch informed us that the flights and the accommodation is booked, Tasha will be going to the North Florida hospital, USA.
The next big event is next Saturday 14th April at Zenia Boulevard where a block buster variety show is taking place between 1pm and 6pm with 17 artists giving their time. (Poster attached at the end of this newsletter).
I am sure you all are aware of the young boy who sadly died, having a cardiac arrest, whilst playing football on La Zenia Beach. There is a candle lit dinner organised to raise funds to help Kai’s family, relieve the pressure in their time of grief. We can show our support by attending this event at The Emerald Isle 16th April 6pm. (A poster attached at the end of this newsletter).
This tragic accident happened two days after a demonstration for the completion of the Emergency Centre at La Zenia took place with only a handful of people from Orihuela Costa. This tragedy should never have happened, there were no Lifeguards on duty due to cost cutting, there was no Ambulance readily available with the necessary equipment, but there could have been if the Emergency Centre had been completed 9 years ago, just a few hundred meters from La Zenia Beach. The Valencian Government are responsible for providing emergency services, we hope you sign a petition that is being organised to be presented to the Mayor of Orihuela, the authorities of Alicante and Valencia. We understand that the Authorities fitted permanent Defibrillators on every beach in Orihuela Costa 9th April, such a shame they were not there in time for young Kai!
Our next Coffee Morning : 25th April Wednesday 11am till 1pm.
Guest Speaker Pedro Dominquez from Cruz Roja / Red Cross Alicante. Pedro will talk about the new Tele Assistance and other services, including Personal Alarms and First Aid Training courses which will be organised over two days x 5 hours each day Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th of May between 10am till 3pm. If anyone is interested in training to be a First Aider, the fee is approx. €50 for the course. Contact Norah or Eva at the Drop In Centre.
23rd May Wednesday 11am till 1pm.
Guest Speaker, Cllr Sofia Alvarez. Sofia is Counsellor for Tourism, Transport and Foreign Residents for Orihuela city and Orihuela Costa.
June Coffee Morning: Francisco Morales, Guardia Civil Officer of N332 Website fame.
8th March Thursday World Women’s Day was well attended by approx. 60 guests, including Francisco Morales local Guardia Civil Officer of N332 fame, he brought the ladies flower plants to celebrate, what a gentleman ! We also celebrated belatedly, Eva Johansson’s special birthday. Eva had been in India at the time, so a surprise cake was enjoyed by Eva and her friends. Eva set up the Library approx. 5 years ago. Katalin Konkoly is the current Librarian and her supporters. Mike Lewis of DeVere Spain, Bob Houliston former Councillor, Lilybeth Stevens, former President of Stroke Support Torrevieja and her husband John. Ina the President of the Russian Group to name a few of the many supporters of the Drop In Centre. The event was organised to integrate with the Russian Group and other Associations using the Centre. This was the first of many events for all the groups to socialise, integrate and exchange our varied cultures over refreshments. Ideas for future events would be very much appreciated.
17th March Saturday. We were invited to take part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrated every year in Orihuela Costa. Jill and Peter carried our banner. I walked behind wearing green of course and could not resist a photo with Francisco of N332 fame. This very important event held at Cabo Roig is one of the major Parades held in Costa Blanca. We were honoured to be invited.
Drop In Centre Activities
The Intermediate Spanish class Mondays 2pm till 3.30pm with Tutor Marilyn, has been successful but will change to a Video Conference session as Marilyn has had to return to the UK with her husband, now that we have WIFI, we can organise these classes by internet link.
There are only a few spaces left for each Spanish class.
Mondays : 12.30pm till 2pm. Spanish Beginners.
Mondays : 2.30pm till 4pm. Spanish Beginners.
Mondays : 2pm till 3.3pm Spanish Intermediate by WIFI link.
Wednesdays : 2pm till 3.30pm. Spanish Beginners.
Wednesdays. 1pm till 3pm. Art sessions, oils, sketching and watercolours
with Eva, Angie and Corinne.
2.30pm till 4pm. IT – Mobile phones & Tablets use by Belinda Regan.
Thursdays : 1.30 pm till 4pm. Card making sessions with Instructors Jackie
& Denise, great fun, making personalised birthday, anniversary etc., a wonderful way to relax with friends.
Thursdays : 1pm till 2.15pm. Gentle exercise to music with Instructor Angela Nicholson.
Angela also is a Craft Instructor and can stay on to demonstrate her knowledge to anyone wishing to learn.
Thursdays : Drumming and percussion workshop with Instructor ‘Nick’. 1pm till 2.30pm, if you have always wanted to play, why not join, it is great fun.
We need percussion instruments, should you have the odd tambourine, bongo drum, triangle or cow bell etc., not used, please do bring it along to us at the Drop In Centre, we will happily enjoy making music with them on your behalf.
We hoped to encourage music sessions to be held Mondays and Wednesdays as well as Thursdays. These suggestions to hold Singing and Tea Dance sessions for all ages and nationalities, can be organised if enough people want them.
I am sure if we all thought about this more seriously, we could help ourselves to regenerate our brains, live longer with less stress, enjoy each other’s company with fun gentle exercise, which I understand is great therapy, everyone can enjoy dance and music !
Internet / WIFI is now available at the Drop In Centre. Cllr Sofia Alvarez offered to help ensure we do have internet, she kept her word, thank you Sofia. All the language and cultural sessions plus the Cruz Roja sessions can now be organised online.
The Tasha Appeal Campaign,.
Approval from the Zenia Boulevard Management Legal Department to raise the funds needed for her care and treatment has been granted.
We need volunteers to help with bucket collections at Zenia Boulevard the first Friday and Saturday of each month.
The Drop In Centre is somewhere for everyone to enjoy social activities, all ages and nationalities. Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12.30pm till 4.30pm.
If you would like to join these sessions, contact Norah and Eva by email: oc.communitycare@gmail.com
Once again, we wish to thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Norah, Eva, Jill, Belinda, Marilyn, Nick, Angie, Katalin, Jackie & Penny.
Community Care Association.
Candle lit dinner Tribute to Kai