From the traditional Stork Marathon to recent initiatives, Free press has coordinated different actions to join the Guatemalan people in times of emergency. Below, we recall some of these initiatives.
#GuateForce
Free press and Guatevision, Faced with the emergency caused by the eruption of the Fuego volcano on June 3, 2018, they organized quickly and, with the generous collaboration of their readers, received groceries, clothing and personal hygiene items at their facilities.
With the help of volunteers, they classified the groceries received and prepared bags with food and cleaning kits for families of five people. The aid was delivered with the support of community leaders and Volunteer Firefighters in the towns of Yepocapa and Morelia, in Chimaltenango, as well as in Osuna, Escuintla.
Blankets of Love
Every year, before the coldest season begins and the temperature drops drastically, Free press It calls on other companies, readers and collaborators to provide human warmth to those who are hungry and cold. Blankets, sweaters, jackets, shoes or any other garment in good condition are collected. They are then distributed to children’s homes, nursing homes, hospitals and among homeless people who need shelter.
This initiative began in 2002 in the capital, but has also been carried out in other departments of the country, such as Huehuetenango and Quetzaltenango. This support program is carried out in conjunction with Guatevisión.
Stork Marathon
Álvaro Contreras Vélez, one of the five founders of Free press, proposed in 1955 to give life to the “First Child of the Year” contest, which consisted of giving a cash donation to the mother of the first child born after midnight on the first day of the year in the capital city. Furthermore, Contreras Vélez published at that time that he hoped that altruistic people would contribute and collaborate to bring happiness to a Guatemalan home.
Since then, individuals and companies have joined this contest, which seeks to give a good start to the life of a lucky boy or girl every New Year. Mothers receive diapers, blankets, baby clothes and countless useful gifts to welcome the newborn who inaugurates a new year full of joy and learning.
“This is not an original idea, but this contest reflects a nice and generous idea at the same time, which in other countries has had great success, precisely because the fact of being born with the first minutes of the first day of the year becomes a kind of lucky star,” explained Contreras Vélez in the December 16, 1955 edition.
This is how Prensa Libre, since its inception, has been at the service of the community and, in addition to reporting with credibility, also supports the Guatemalan population through these and other programs.