Campaign carried out by the Social Services was supported by the Robotics Centre of the DEI
The eleventh edition of the Toy Collection Campaign “Offers and makes a happy child!” Spread throughout the Minho region, broke the record of toys collected. Reaching 5038 toys, 60 were electronic toys, which were adapted and delivered to children with special needs.
The volunteers of the initiative recognize the importance of developing the technical skills in this initiative, but it is agreed that the main objective is the spirit of solidarity. According to Fernando Ribeiro, Associate Professor with Aggregation of the Department of Industrial Electronics and coordinator of this project, “the adaptations are relatively simple but all of them are different. The main functionality is to add a switch that can be activated by a child with cerebral paralysis, using their neck, foot or hand. ”
The students of the Integrated Masters of Electronic Industrial and Computers Engineering were the main volunteers for the adaptation of the toys. For the first time this year, students of the Integrated Masters in Mechanical Engineering have joined the work group, making the recovery of damaged toys.
The initiative was carried out by the Social Services of University of Minoh(SASUM) in cooperation with the Academic Association of UMinho (AAUM) and with the support of the Robotics Centre of the Department of Industrial Electronics of EEUM and SalusLive – Therapeutic Centre, the campaign sought to raise awareness for the donation of toys, not only to children with special needs, but also to children in need.
This year, the institutions supported were Freterna – Centro Comunitário de Solidariedade e Integração Social de Guimarães; a Associação Teatro e Construção de Famalicão; a SYnergia; a Delegação de Braga da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa; a Cáritas de Braga e as Comissões de Proteção de Crianças e Jovens da Póvoa de Lanhoso, Vila Verde, Barcelos e Amares.