The Galician Minister of Culture, Language and Youth, José López Campos, praised the "great commitment and generosity of Galician society, which we recognise and celebrate once again". This statement was made during the presentation of the Galicia Voluntary Action Awards, which acknowledged the efforts of María Cendán, co-founder of the Boanoite association, the Association of Families of Alzheimer’s Patients and Other Dementias of Galicia, and the Galician Association of Affected by Bone Marrow Transplants.
Accompanied by the Director General of Youth, Lara Meneses, the minister expressed gratitude for the support, visibility, and dignity provided by these individuals and organisations, while highlighting their role in social transformation.
Cendán Castillo, awarded in the individual category, was recognised for her extensive involvement in various areas of volunteering since co-founding the Boanoite association in 2010. Her work includes supporting migrants and women who are victims of trafficking, as well as collaborating with various environmental organisations.
The collective award went to the Association of Families of Alzheimer’s Patients and Other Dementias of Galicia for its specialised services to patients and their families. Currently, the association serves over 1,193 individuals, has more than 50 volunteers, and a team of 64 professionals.
Additionally, the Galician Association of Affected by Bone Marrow Transplants, ASOTRAME, was honoured for its project 'Peer Support', which aims to enhance the emotional and social well-being of individuals with haematological cancers through a support network formed by volunteer former patients.
The awards ceremony also featured a roundtable discussion with recipients of intergenerational volunteering projects in rural areas linked to the pilot project 'Intergenerational Talent'. This initiative seeks to demonstrate to young people the opportunities available in rural settings while recognising the expertise of older individuals in various productive fields. Since its inception, the project has supported 90 initiatives involving over 800 volunteers, with an investment of more than €1.7 million.
