In tennis, an ace (that is, the point that is won directly in the service without the opponent touching the ball with the racket) can be essential to finally lead to the long-awaited victory. But, since 2008, the ace is also a tremendously useful tool to help build a better society. Currently, more and more organizations are aware of the essential role they can play in this collective task; especially if their actions are related to an area such as sport, closely linked to values such as the will to excel, effort or cooperation between people.
This is precisely the case of Banco Sabadell, whose Aces Solidarios have now reached their fifteenth edition. Through this initiative, the bank donates an amount every year to various charities for each ace achieved during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – Conde de Godó Trophy, of which it is its main sponsor. This prestigious competition on clay that is held annually at the facilities of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, also celebrates its seventieth anniversary in 2023, keeping all its vitality intact.
So far, more than 40 non-profit organizations have already benefited from a contribution of more than 320,000 euros from this initiative, which is part of the bank's commitment to society. During the presentation ceremony of the Aces Solidarios, held last Tuesday, April 18, Josep Oliu, president of Banco Sabadell, highlighted the importance of the projects that the organizations selected in this edition carry out daily with the following words of gratitude: “ I congratulate you and thank you for the work you do with your work, with which you are serving all of humanity”.
At the same time, during the act, the representatives of the various entities –Adela Torras, president of the AVES Foundation; Álvaro Moliner, member of the Executive Commission of the Valencian House of Charity; Katy Trias, president of the Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation; and Ángela Ortega, Director of Institutional Relations of the CERES Foundation – had the opportunity to explain the actions they are carrying out and also to thank Banco Sabadell. All of them highlighted the importance of this gesture of support and the way in which it helps to give visibility to their work.
The solidarity proposals in this edition provide help to the most disadvantaged, offer psychological support in various fields, collaborate in the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities or accompany mourning processes. The Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation, for example, works to cover the needs and contribute to the integration of people suffering from this disease and their families. As its president, Katy Trias, explains, the foundation puts all possible means "so that they speak for themselves, claim their rights and, at the same time, can enjoy a life as similar as possible to the one we all want to lead."
The AVES Foundation, for its part, is a non-profit association of volunteers, declared of public utility in 2012, which accompanies people in mourning processes through mutual aid groups. As its president, Adela Torras, points out, the goal is for people who have suffered a loss "to be able to live again." "Not to survive, but to live," she emphasizes. Since the appearance of the pandemic, AVES has seen its receptions increase by 65%.
Issues as diverse as addiction treatment, health training, mental health, help for dependent or elderly people occupy the day-to-day work of the psychological department of the Social Resources Center Foundation (CERES). In the words of Antonia Valverde, patron president of the association, CERES was born with a clear vocation: "to help public social services to directly protect all people who have not had a particularly easy life". in the field of training aimed at promoting inclusion in the labor market, as well as therapeutic treatment and prevention.Its most recent incorporation is the Violeta Center, where they help women victims of sexist violence.
Finally, we must highlight the work of Casa Caridad (Valencian Charity Association), a pioneering institution in responding to the needs of the most disadvantaged, independent, free, without any political or religious connotation, and declared of public utility by the Council of Ministers. As its president, Luis Miralles, points out, "when families with small children come, fleeing hunger or war, our mission is to welcome them to help them open a new horizon."
