A Legacy of Light: Honoring Maddie’s Memory
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Some stories stay with us. They remind us of what truly matters and how, even in loss, there is an opportunity to create something meaningful.
Recently, an anonymous couple approached Leaders2Give with a request that was both personal and deeply moving. They wanted to make a donation in honor of Maddie, the daughter of local resident Sarah Howe, who runs Yoga by the Sea. Maddie, who passed away from cancer at the age of six, had a dream—she wanted to be a superhero who could shine light in the darkest of places to help those who needed it.
Moved by the gesture, another local donor stepped forward to match the contribution. With this collective act of kindness, The Garden of Light will soon become part of the John Gullo Home for Children—a dedicated space for peace, reflection, and hope.
More Than a Garden
The Garden of Light is not just about landscaping or a physical space. It’s about creating a place where children, families, and visitors can pause, reflect, and find comfort. It’s about honoring a child’s vision of bringing light to others, and it stands as a reminder that love and generosity have a lasting impact.
Construction will begin soon, and on March 29, 2025, we’ll gather at the John Gullo Home for Children to officially open and dedicate this space to Maddie’s memory.
For those who can attend, it will be a chance to see the home, hear the story behind the garden, and share in a moment of community connection. For those who cannot be there in person, we invite you to celebrate this act of kindness with us from wherever you are. This garden belongs to everyone who believes in the power of compassion.
Maddie dreamed of being a superhero. In a way, she still is. Because of her, and because of the generosity of those who knew her story, light will continue to shine in the lives of children who need it most.
Please let us know you’ll be at the dedication by visiting the Facebook Event page and clicking the “Going” button or by emailing info@leaders2give.org. A light lunch will be served.
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PARTNER UPDATES
Líderes Para Dar / John Gullo Home for Children
It was a milestone moment at the John Gullo Home for Children as Facility Director Belén Meza Sandez and Sarah Maria Esparza Lucero hosted a successful open house.
Representatives from local authorities, civil organizations, and nonprofits gathered to learn about the home’s mission—providing temporary shelter for children in vulnerable situations while their parent seeks medical treatment.
“This event is an opportunity to strengthen ties with organizations that share our commitment to children and the well-being of families,” shared a shelter representative.
The event fostered valuable connections and set the stage for future collaboration. Special thanks to Hector Boirie for representing the Board of Directors of both Líderes Para Dar and Leaders2Give and to our donor community—your support makes this possible!
New Creation Kids (NCK) Children’s Home
At the beginning of every fiscal year, Roberto and Alma Osuna - the folks that run the facility - have to make a report to Nuevo Creacion AC on the year's activities to protect vulnerable children. When I first mentioned this to some friends they were confused? Don't Roberto and Alma run Nuevo Creacion A.C? Who are they reporting to? Actually, Nuevo Creacion AC is a larger organization, headquartered in Tijuana with operations all across Mexico.
The children's home in La Paz - a temporary home for children whose families are experiencing a crisis such as a single parent in prison, domestic abuse, addiction or extreme poverty - is called Nuevo Creaction Albergue Infantil and is only one of the facilities under the purview of Nuevo Creacion AC.
There is also 'Nuevo Creacion Comedor Infantil' a Food Security program and outreach centre in Los Cabos.
There is 'Centro Rehabilitador Nuevo Creacion' in La Paz which is a drug and alcohol treatment centre for adults and other similar facilities for both vulnerable children and adults across the country.
All of this work is overseen by volunteers. There is very little funding. Our work here at Leaders2Give is focused on providing funding to cover the basic operating expenses such as food, propane, water and education for the children that live at Nuevo Creacion Albergue Infantil. There are many other groups that get involved either directly or in partnership with us.
Leaders2Give does not oversee the operations, nor do we have any legal responsibility for this facility or any other facility under the leadership of Nuevo Creaction, AC. The only way we can help is by receiving donations from generous people like you.
As of right now we have enough funds to cover approximately a year of funding and encourage you to make a donation today.
The East Cape Health Center
East Cape Health Center (ECHC) continues to provide valuable support to the John Gullo Home for Children. Recently, they donated a fully stocked medical first aid kit—including bandages, gauze, wraps, cough syrups, and pediatric pain relievers—so minor injuries can be quickly treated by staff.
They have also committed to replenishing supplies as needed and are available 24/7 for medical advice.
Looking ahead, ECHC has a busy few months planned. In March, they will host a fundraising event, followed by their annual Rotary-sponsored health screening in April. Visiting volunteers from U.S.-based Rotary groups will join them to provide screenings for community members and schoolchildren.
ECHC remains dedicated to ensuring high-quality medical care for the East Cape region. They recently recruited a registered nurse with expertise in emergency and ICU care, wound management, and paramedicine. Their pediatric dental programs continue, offering hygiene education, extractions, and braces to local youth.
To stay at the forefront of medical care, ECHC has expanded its continuing education for staff, keeping them updated on the latest treatments, medications, and specialized wound care, particularly for patients with special needs.
In addition to traditional medicine, ECHC integrates science-based functional medicine techniques, including counseling, nutrition programs, and vitamin supplements. With new endocrine and hormone lab equipment, they are increasing their focus on preventative care for both men and women, particularly those struggling with midlife changes and hormone imbalances.
Feeding The Hungry
Feeding the Hungry continues to receive requests for help from families who are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their children.
Often families have little security with their living arrangements and are housed in temporary shelters on borrowed land. If the landowner decides to sell then the family is out on the streets again. Temporary shelters are often made of chipboard and cardboard. Water is fetched in buckets and electricity is a luxury.
We tend not to see the makeshift shacks of the people living in these conditions. Their temporary shelters are not in the areas often frequented by those from the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Donating just US $2.00 a day to Feeding the Hungry would make a huge difference to a local Los Barriles family living like this. Please help.
SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month. SNAP had a busy and impactful start to the year, reinforcing the importance of spay and neuter in local communities. SNAP hosted two successful community clinics in addition to all the surgeries that happen daily at Dr. Cristobal's office. One clinic was in Campamento and another in Santiago. Community clinics help to control the stray animal population and promote responsible pet ownership by overcoming obstacles like transportation or the cost of care.
Leading up to the clinic in Campamento, SNAP took an educational approach by visiting the local primary school. With the help of Dr. Dea Galvin and Dr. Michelle Oakley, from the Nat Geo show Yukon Vet, students learned about the importance of sterilization and responsible pet ownership. The children eagerly took this message home, encouraging their families to participate in the clinic. As a result, an impressive 44 animals were brought in for sterilization.
Dr. Oakley, accompanied by her daughters—including one training to become a veterinarian—joined the clinic, along with two additional new vets. The recovery area was filled with compassionate care, ensuring each animal received the best post-surgical attention. SNAP expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Oakley and the entire veterinary team for their dedication to SNAP's mission.
The second community clinic took place in Santiago, where animals arrived in a steady stream throughout the day. By the clinic’s end, 68 animals had been successfully sterilized, reinforcing the critical need for accessible spay and neuter services.
SNAP is off to a strong start in just two months, SNAP has already sterilized 300 animals—an achievement made possible by the support of dedicated veterinarians, volunteers, and community members.
Together, these efforts are making a lasting impact, one animal at a time and family at a time. SNAP extends its appreciation to everyone supporting its mission and helping to continue this vital work.
Community support ensures SNAP can continue offering free sterilizations. Donations of leashes, collars, and medical supplies are always welcome. Those interested in contributing, volunteering, or learning more are encouraged to reach out to SNAP.
Crescent Moon Project - Art for Children
The student artists of Los Barriles have been hard at work! Who knew origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, could be so intricate and challenging? Thanks to the expert guidance of Crescent Moon Project’s talented Art teacher, the students have been transforming paper into designs through a series of precise folds. The goal is to create intricate shapes, such as animals, flowers, or geometric figures, by folding the paper in various ways.
In addition to the regular studio art classes, local artists have been teaching groups of students through other projects:
Christine Comstock led an engaging mosaic workshop during which students had the opportunity to learn the art of creating vibrant tile mosaics. They were guided through a multi-step process including creating a design, choosing then arranging tiles, gluing tiles, applying grout and polishing the final piece. Many of the mosaics were then secured on the tops of small tables. A heartfelt thank you to Christine for being such an inspiring teacher, to CMP Art Teacher Yasmin and the dedicated volunteers, and especially to Liz Scroggins for generously sponsoring this memorable class.
Another group of students has been enjoying weekly sessions centered around collage and mixed media, taught by Judy Markham. Throughout this series, student artists have designed and crafted their own paper patterns, cut them into various shapes, and assembled them into stunning collages. Several of these collaborative art pieces will be available for auction at the upcoming annual fundraiser, Art in Bloom.
Speaking of the ‘Art in Bloom: See Them Shine' event, tickets will be available at the Homes & Land of Baja Real Estate office soon! CMP will be reaching out directly to those who have already requested tickets. Be sure to act quickly—this popular event sold out during its inaugural year! The event will include beautiful art (student and professional) for auction, delicious food, delightful music, and a surprise or two!
To Donate to Leaders2Give and any of our Partners, visit our Donate page.