the essential
Activity remains strong at the Local Unit, even if the Vestiboutique has experienced a decline due to the closure of avenues Dom Vayssette.
Since the inauguration in March of its new premises by the national president of the Red Cross, Philippe Da Costa and his alter ego in Occitanie, Jean-Paul Célariès, the Local Unit has taken the measure of the site, well conditioned and air-conditioned, a device which is a form of recognition for the fifty volunteers who devote themselves around Jean-Michel Bonnemain.
There is no shortage of activity, even if the Vestiboutique, although set up like a real store, sees fewer people passing through. But the reason is simple: the construction site which has been closing Avenue Dom Vayssette for several months explains this ominous disaffection. The Local Unit was almost unreachable by car.
The national collection carried out from May 25 to June 2 in the two Intermarché de Gaillac and Rabastens as well as in the E. Leclerc hypermarket raised €4,600, a little less than last year (€5,000). “In mid-September, we will do a food collection in supermarkets” announces Jean-Michel Bonnemain. There are always between 18 and 22 Ukrainian families who come to stock up on Saturday mornings with fresh produce and once a month with dry goods.
“We reserve these slots for them, they like to get together.” In total, around 50 families benefit from support from the Red Cross. “We welcome a lot of large families, some of up to six people” specify the distribution managers.
Open in summer for emergency packages
The Local Unit, which has been in existence for 113 years, has planned an exhibition at the end of the year at Gaillac town hall – which played a central role in the renovation of the building it owns – to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Red Cross. This presentation will be dedicated to the Air First Aid Pilot Nurses (IPSA), a body which was created in the early 1930s and which lasted until the 1970s. The Local Unit will remain open in the summer for parcels emergency, intended for people referred to the Red Cross by the city’s CCAS which gives them a voucher requesting food aid.
“We also have information on the person’s social situation.” This voucher gives access to a block of butter, coffee, a can of vegetables, a ready meal, milk, pasta, rice, a can of tuna or sardines.
The great satisfaction of the start of the year is the restart of first aid courses, in small groups of ten, in the room on the first floor. They cover first aid training. “We have demand. You can also register by calling us on 05 63 57 03 88”. During the inauguration of the premises, Mayor Martine Souquet did not fail to thank the Local Unit for the help it provides to the security of events in Gaillac.
