Easter Solidarity takes kids to a day of fun in Taguatinga

The contagious smile of little Maria Helena de Lima, 8 years old, lit up the McDonald’s unit in Taguatinga Centro, this Tuesday (26). She participated in the 2nd edition of Solidarity Easter, a campaign created by the first lady of the Federal District, Mayara Noronha Rocha, through the Executive Head of Social Policies. Around 70 children attended by the Centro Social Formar, in Arniqueira, and the Coletivo da Cidade, in Estrutural, participated.

The kids had fun: they ate a special snack, with hamburgers, fries and juice, painted their faces, colored themed drawings and received balloons. There was also a show by Magician Steiner, offered by the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc-DF), and delivery of a box of chocolates and basic food basket.

Little Helena said that the experience was much anticipated: “In the classroom, we shouted a lot, we were very happy. And we barely slept, just waiting for this day to pass so we could come here,” she revealed. Valentina Píer, 9, adds: “They made us suspicious, they said that maybe there would be something. Then when they said we were really going to come, it gave me a lot of butterflies. I really liked the snack, the drawings, the magician,” she said.

The pedagogical coordinator of Centro Social Formar, Viviane Preard Andrade, noted that, for most students, the event was a dream come true. “They were super excited to be here today. Crazy to find the bunny, the chocolate. In addition to bringing joy to them, it is a historic moment, because some have never been to McDonald’s, never eaten a burger,” she said.

Mother of one of the children, student Wanely Silva Rezende, 30, attended the event and was able to witness the joy of the little ones. “In our city we don’t have many resources to bring these relaxed moments, so, as a single mother, I’m very grateful for that”, she said.

Continuous actions

The first edition of Solidarity Easter took place in 2023. At the time, 150 children from the institutions Creche Sucupira and Creche Centro Comunitário da Criança and 50 elderly people from Lar dos Idosos Maria Madalena had a special afternoon at the Pontão do Lago Sul leisure and entertainment center. delivery of chocolate kits, magician presentation, face painting, snacks, among other attractions.

The first lady of the Federal District, Mayara Noronha Rocha, highlighted the importance of promoting playful experiences for little ones. “It’s a time when we talk a lot about solidarity and social empathy. It’s not just about delivering a chocolate, but bringing social interaction to these children. The truth is that many have never had the opportunity to go into McDonald’s and try a sandwich. Being able to provide this moment is sensational,” she said.

Around 70 children attended by Centro Social Formar, in Arniqueira, and Coletivo da Cidade, in Estrutural, participated in the 2nd edition of Solidarity Easter at the McDonald’s unit in Taguatinga

“For us business people, it is very important for us to be hand in hand with the government, because we need public policies so that we can also participate in our citizenship. Easter is love and we need, as a businessman, to give back a little of what we have, of what we do, to the Federal District”, highlighted the unit’s owner, Laura Oliveira.

The Solidarity Easter campaign is part of the Salva Solidariedade Project which, in 2023, collected more than 86 tons of non-perishable food through partnerships with local businesses and the participation in half-price solidarity events. The entire amount was directed to families in socially vulnerable situations.

This year, Solidariedade Salva has already delivered around 1 ton of non-perishable food to social institutions in Cruzeiro, in partnership with the regional administration, and three tons of non-perishable food to Colégio Mão Amiga Dom Pedro II, next to Arena BRB Mané Garrincha.