Christmas collection campaign for Caritas Javea

Pictured (left to write): Elly Van der Wel Director of Caritas Ntra Sra Loreto, Cecilia Navarro Tudela & Isabel Fenollar store directors Specsavers Ópticas Javea and Marcela Fitzgerald, Cáritas volunteer
Pictured (left to write): Elly Van der Wel Director of Caritas Ntra Sra Loreto, Cecilia Navarro Tudela & Isabel Fenollar store directors Specsavers Ópticas Javea and Marcela Fitzgerald, Cáritas volunteer

Throughout the holiday period, Specsavers Ópticas in Javea will be collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries and household products for Caritas Parroquial in Javea. The charity is also looking for Christmas food and gifts for children, to bring a smile to these families’ faces at this time of year.

Maria Jose Costa, representative of Caritas Parroquial in Javea commented, ‘CARITAS is asking for help to make Christmas special for families in need in Jávea. We want all families to enjoy Christmas to the full and they are in need non-perishable food and Christmas products to bring a little more joy into their homes.

We are also running a toy campaign to ensure that all children have a present on Three Kings Day. We know how important it is for children to feel happy and we want to make this possible.
In Jávea, we have many families in vulnerable situations who would not be able to afford these products, or gifts for their children. Therefore, we call on the community to join our campaign and give generously. We thank you in advance for any collaboration and support you can give.’

Donations should be non-perishable food items, toiletries and household products. Over the festive period, the charity also gives special bags with Christmas products such as sweets, turron and items which will make the families enjoy the holidays to the full, so they welcome these donations too. This year, they are also running a campaign to collect toys, games and small gifts for children from 0-12 years old, so that no child misses out on a present for Christmas.

Specsavers Ópticas in Javea signed an agreement with their local Caritas branch in 2022 to regularly donate glasses to those in need. They have donated 9 pairs of glasses to the charity to date and want to do more for this excellent cause. That’s why, during the festive period they are adding more support and collecting food and toy donations in store throughout the holidays, until the 5th of January.

Cecilia Navarro, store director from Specsavers Ópticas in Javea explains: ‘Christmas is a traditional time to give to others, so we’d love it if our customers and local residents could pick up a few extra items in their weekly shop, or pick up an extra small gift or two when they’re Christmas shopping and drop it off in store. If everyone gives just a little it will make a big difference to more than 120 families who rely on Caritas in Javea.’
You can make a donation in store at Avenida Del Pla 125, Edificio Caribe, Local 6, Jávea – just off the Carretera Cabo la Nao-Pla, near Servicolor. Visit www.specsavers.es to find out more.


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CÁRITAS Parroquial have signed an agreement with Specsavers Ópticas in Javea for the optician to donate one pair of glasses per month to their charity. Cáritas will select someone each month who needs glasses but can’t afford them and send them to the store. They will then have a complete eye test to check their eyes are healthy, find out the prescription they need and then they will be able to choose a pair of frames. The lenses will then be made to their prescription and the glasses will be given to them, completely free of charge.

Cáritas Parroquial are currently helping more than 120 families in Javea by providing food each month and helping them with their individual needs. They also workshops to help people gain the skills they need to find work, and have an allotment where people can learn the skills needed to grow their own food and feed their families with fresh, healthy produce.

Many of these families need glasses, but this is a big investment, and one that many of them cannot afford. However, thanks to this new agreement, families will be able to receive the glasses they need.

Store Director Cecilia Navarro explains, ‘Since I took over as Store Director in February, I’ve been looking for ways in which we can help our community and found out about all the families in Javea that Caritas support. They give them food and support them in lots of different ways, but they didn’t have access to free optical care.

We already offer free eye tests, to ensure everyone can have their eye health checked, but know that for families that are struggling financially, a pair of glasses can be very difficult to afford. If you have poor eyesight, this further restricts your job options and can hold you back at school. This is the last thing that these families need, which is why we have committed to give one pair of glasses to Caritas every month and allow them to allocate those to the people who are most in need of them at that time. We hope this will make things just a little bit easier for these families and are looking forward to collaborating with Caritas for a long time to come.’

María José Costa, representative of Cáritas Parroquial Xabia, added, ‘Thanks to the generous initiative of Specsavers Ópticas we are able to help those who need it most, from school children with impaired vision to women who need glasses to be able to sew. Thank you very much.’

Find out more about Cáritas and the incredible work they do on their website www.caritas.es

Specsavers Ópticas in Javea are also collecting money for the Red Cross Ukraine campaign and A.P.A.D. (Asociación Protectora de Animales de Denia). You can make a donation in store at Avenida Del Pla 125, Edificio Caribe, Local 6, Jávea – just off the Carretera Cabo la Nao-Pla, near Servicolor. Visit www.specsavers.es to find out more.