Solidarity on Wheels: More than 50 Taxis Show Malaga's Christmas to the Most Vulnerable

It was ten in the morning and the first WhatsApp messages reflected nerves and excitement: "I'm already cleaning and decorating the ... car!", said one of them. It was a group of taxi drivers from Málaga, where more than 200 drivers organized 'Taxiluz', a charitable initiative in which they pick up vulnerable groups from Málaga associations to take a caravan ride through the streets of the capital. This action was born nine years ago with the idea of 15 taxis showing Christmas to elderly people with reduced mobility through their vehicles and it has already become a tradition that this Tuesday gathered more than 250 people: from children undergoing cancer treatment to the elderly and disabled.

In this charitable caravan, led and escorted by the Local Police and Civil Protection to ensure road safety, 55 taxis gathered that were transformed for the occasion. Garlands, Christmas trees, LED lights, bows, Santa Claus, and reindeers decorated the vehicles driven by the taxi drivers from Málaga who drove with solidarity on wheels.

"I haven't seen this for eleven years, how everything has changed, but how beautiful it is... I remember those who are no longer here, and, I love my grandchildren and my children very much!", confessed an excited Manoli Miralles, 79 years old. She was one of the women who came from the Guadalmar Residence. Also enjoying this ride were the Supercurrantes of Nena Paine, Olivares Foundation, Neurodiverse Association, Little Sisters of the Poor, Down Málaga, Ronald McDonald House, Mercader Association, and El Buen Samaritano Residence.

The journey began with the collection of participants at the headquarters of the associations and residences. With everyone singing Christmas carols, wearing Christmas hats, and smiles all around, the march started at 6:30 PM from Avenida de la Aurora. They passed through Alameda Principal, Paseo del Parque and stopped at La Farola to take the traditional photo of each year and receive gifts from the Superheroes Association A Child A Smile, which filled the taxi ride with even more excitement.

Family Emotion

There was Neizan, a six-year-old who is undergoing treatment for bone marrow cancer and was attending 'Taxiluz' for the first time. "The best thing about this is being with my family," explained the little boy alongside his mother Reyes, and Emilio. "This moment of excitement after all we have been through at the hospital is indescribable," assured his mother Reyes Chamizo. The excitement was also reflected in the eyes of Elena Merino along with her mother Mariló Sierra and her sister: "This is very cool and I'm having a great time, I love honking with the taxis and shouting Merry Christmas!", explained the little girl, who was diagnosed with a tumor at 9 years old.

"When we started the first time we saw that there was a lot of excitement about taking them to see the lights... They told us that nobody had done this for them, especially the older people, the grandparents grateful that someone picked them up for free. The result was that in the end the taxi drivers wanted to commit to this initiative for many more years because everyone enjoys it, both them and us... The look of satisfaction on their faces during the ride is unforgettable," detailed the taxi driver Guillermo Díaz, who also highlighted all the work of his colleague Nati, who every year dedicates herself along with the rest of the taxi drivers to organize this action.

This edition paid tribute to Noa and Daniel, children of colleagues who passed away in the last year

They also thanked the support of Aumat, Amusta, Clic School, Municipal Public Library of Archidona, Tourism Department of Málaga City Council, Local Police, and Civil Protection, who make it possible for this journey to fill hundreds of people with excitement every Christmas. The initiative transcends borders and is also celebrated in capitals like Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, and Granada.

In Málaga, during the ride, they made a special stop at the city hall's nativity scene and there, before continuing with the ride and the return home, they paid tribute to Noa and Daniel, children of colleagues who have died this past year. For them, balloons were released into the sky. "For all the stars we have," concluded Nati emotionally.