Benfica’s Christmas Eve of Giving: Spreading Holiday cheer Across Portugal and Beyond
sport Lisboa e Benfica, a prominent Portuguese football club, partnered wiht its Benfica Foundation to host a heartwarming Christmas Eve event on december 24, 2024. The initiative, now in its second year, extended a helping hand to individuals unable to spend the holidays with thier families. This year’s event saw a significant expansion, reaching communities both within Portugal and abroad.
The club opened its doors at the Estádio da Luz, its headquarters, and several Casas Benfica (Benfica Houses) across the country, including locations in Abrantes, Newark (presumably a reference to a location outside Portugal), Vendas Novas, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Viseu. These locations served as welcoming centers, providing a festive atmosphere and companionship to those in need. The event was a collaborative effort, with local institutions joining forces to ensure a successful and meaningful party.
President of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Rui Costa, personally attended the Estádio da Luz event, offering a “fraternal hug on behalf of all Benfica fans” to those gathered. Carlos Moia,Executive President of the benfica Foundation,also participated. The collaboration extended to partnerships with the Holy House of Mercy and Comunidade vida e Paz, resulting in a special Christmas Eve gathering for over 120 people at the stadium.
The expansion of this initiative beyond the Estádio da Luz highlights Benfica’s commitment to community outreach. In Vendas Novas, Vice-President Domingos Almeida Lima and Commercial and Marketing Director Miguel Bento were present. At the Vila Nova de Gaia location, Miguel Ferreira, Vice-President of the Benfica General Assembly, joined the festivities. Jorge Jacinto, Director of Casas Benfica, oversaw the Abrantes location, while Jorge Miranda, Director of the Benfica Foundation, traveled to Viseu to ensure the success of the event in each location.
This year’s Christmas Eve initiative underscores Benfica’s dedication to fostering a sense of community and providing support to those less blessed. The club’s actions reflect a growing trend among sports organizations to use their platforms for social good, mirroring similar charitable efforts by teams and leagues across the United States.
The success of this event demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of community support during the holiday season. Benfica’s commitment to extending its reach beyond the football field serves as an inspiring example of corporate social duty, showcasing how organizations can make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
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Benfica Shares Holiday Cheer through Expanded Community Outreach Initiative
This holiday season, Portuguese football club Sport Lisboa e Benfica, along with their Benfica Foundation, expanded their annual Christmas Eve charitable event, bringing festive cheer and support to communities across Portugal and beyond.
Senior Editor: Joining me today is Dr. Mariana Oliveira, a renowned sociologist and expert on the social impact of sports organizations.Dr. Oliveira, can you shed some light on Benfica’s unique approach to community engagement, notably during the holiday season?
dr.Mariana Oliveira: Certainly. Benfica’s commitment to social duty extends far beyond the football pitch.Their Christmas Eve initiative exemplifies this ethos by addressing a real need within the community – providing companionship and support to individuals who might otherwise face a lonely holiday.
Senior Editor: the event saw a significant expansion this year, reaching locations across Portugal. What dose this tell us about Benfica’s growing commitment to social outreach?
Dr. Mariana Oliveira:
Precisely. This wider reach indicates a deepening commitment from Benfica to engage with diverse communities. It underscores a recognition that social responsibility transcends geographical boundaries and underlines their dedication to making a tangible impact on a broader scale.
Senior Editor: Collaborations with local institutions like the Holy House of Mercy and Comunidade Vida e Paz played a crucial role in this event’s success. Why are these partnerships so impactful?
Dr. Mariana Oliveira:
These collaborations are essential because they harness the strengths and resources of different organizations to maximize social impact.By working together, benfica and these institutions leverage their respective expertise and networks to reach a wider audience and provide more thorough support.
senior Editor: Beyond the immediate impact, do events like this contribute to a larger cultural shift within the world of sports?
Dr.Mariana Oliveira: Absolutely. Benfica’s actions reflect a global trend of sports organizations using their platforms for social good.
This is increasingly seen as a vital duty, recognizing the power and influence these organizations wield within their communities. Benfica sets a powerful example, inspiring other clubs and leagues to follow suit and strive for meaningful contributions beyond the realm of sport.
