Richard and Alejandra Support Open Arms on its Tenth Anniversary
Richard and Alejandra support Open Arms on its tenth anniversary
On September 29, Richard and Alejandra Gere attended the tenth anniversary celebration of Open Arms, joining an evening filled with emotion, remembrance, and commitment at the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. More than just a celebration, the event served as an exercise in collective memory, recognition, and tribute to the more than 72,000 lives saved by the NGO during its first ten years.
Richard and Alejandra attended the tenth anniversary of Open Arms as visible allies of its humanitarian mission, through The Gere Foundation.
A symbolic gesture with deep human meaning
The motivation of Richard and Alejandra goes far beyond mere presence or public support.
For them, attending this anniversary was especially meaningful: it was not only about accompanying and recognizing the remarkable work of all those who make up Open Arms, but also about making visible and reaffirming through their presence that the values of compassion, justice, and brotherhood among all human beings are the driving forces behind their actions.
Ten years of lives saved and shared hope
The NGO Proactiva Open Arms was founded in 2015 with a clear purpose: not to look away from the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the Mediterranean. From that first voluntary action in Lesbos, the organization has grown into a global benchmark for maritime rescue, carrying out more than 120 missions and saving over 72,000 people.
During the gala, Richard and Alejandra shared words of recognition for the work carried out by the organization led by Óscar Camps, who reaffirmed that as long as there is a single life in danger at sea, “Open Arms will not withdraw.” The attendees recalled difficult rescues, evacuation operations in disaster zones, and the ongoing need to keep alive the cause of maritime rescue and human dignity.
The event became a space of reunion for the community that has grown around Open Arms: collaborators, donors, volunteers, and partner organizations came together to share experiences, reflections, and future projects.
Reflection, commitment, and the road ahead
The presence of Richard and Alejandra underscores that support for humanitarian causes can take many forms — from personal visibility to diplomatic advocacy and public awareness. Their public involvement helps shed light on the daily work of the NGO and reminds us that every rescued person has a name, a face, and a story.
Moreover, this anniversary was not only a look back but, above all, a projection into the future: a book was presented featuring images and stories from these first ten years, with the aim of keeping the collective memory alive and continuing to inspire solidarity with those who risk their lives every day at sea in search of a better future.
For The Gere Foundation, the presence of Richard and Alejandra at such events strengthens our networks of cooperation and reaffirms our human alliance with all those who work tirelessly to put into practice the values we share: compassion, dignity, and solidarity — without ever losing hope.