“We want to get the entire community involved, because the Bombeiros (firefighters) help everybody”
Alerta, the fire alert association that works tirelessly to report fires on Facebook as soon as they break out, is opening a charity shop in Silves.
“It’s an idea we have been toying with for years,” founder Debby Burton told the Resident, adding that the team has decided that the “time is right”.
After some time spent driving and walking around looking for a possible location, a vacant shop was found in Silves at no.6 on Rua Cruz de Portugal (near the ‘Ú Monchiqueiro 2’ restaurant).
“We’ve secured a one-year lease,” Debby said, adding that Silves provides an ideal location due to its cultural agenda and local markets which bring crowds into town. The shop is also clearly visible from the N124 road, which Debby hopes will also help attract people who are merely driving or walking by.
The Alerta team is planning to start accepting donations soon, which can range from used books and clothing items to anything that is still in acceptable condition and which others may be interested in buying.
Debby is also looking for volunteers to help man the shop, with the goal being to create a “multicultural team” comprising both foreign and national volunteers.
“We don’t want this to be a group of foreigners only. We want to get the entire community involved, because the Bombeiros (firefighters) help everybody,” Debby told us.
As the whole idea of the store is for it to become a community space, Alerta also aims to have a corner inside where local artists can display their work.
The goal is to open the store by early or mid-March, from 11am to 3pm, between Tuesday and Saturday, with “a minimum of three or four people per day” helping at the store.
Proceeds will go towards helping Alerta continue its work, which aside from its Facebook reports also includes supporting firefighters in the Algarve and even in the neighbouring district of Beja, in the Alentejo, when possible.
The association helps provide everything from water, energy drinks and energy bars to toiletries, basic first-aid supplies and “even food supplies if needed”.
For those interested in following Alerta and learning more about what they do, the association can be found by searching for ‘Associação Alerta de incendio Florestal / Forest fire Alert’ on Facebook or online at www.algarvefire.info
You can also contact Debby directly (+351 966 834 013 or bombeirosalgarve@gmail.com) if you are looking to volunteer at the shop or if you are interested in donating items to be sold at the shop.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
