Death, Pledges, and Painting, Oh My!
[scroll down for Partner updates]
Feliz Día de los Muertos — Happy Day of the Dead! I heard it said once that death is the most beautiful way to lose a loved one. That’s one to sit with isn’t it?
I’m also contemplating the fact that Halloween has come and gone and the first signs of winter are on the horizon in the north. Time flies. Meanwhile, in Baja the clean up continues from Hurricane Norma.
I wasn't here during the hurricane, but I did come down almost immediately after. While I consider myself fortunate that my home didn't sustain much damage, a quick drive by the slums of San Jose shows the stark difference between those of us who have and those of us who do not.
The John Gullo Home for Children is meant to help protect vulnerable children whose families are experiencing a medical crisis. It's mostly single mothers and children suffering the worst effects from living in extreme poverty. Couple that with a terminal illness like breast cancer or childhood leukemia (both among the leading causes of death in Mexico) and you have a recipe for extreme tragedy.
The result is often a parent having to abandon their children in order to seek medical treatment for themselves or for one of their sick kids. It might be hard to imagine there is a great enough need here for a facility dedicated to these families but, unfortunately, the evidence and authorities support this fact.
We have exciting announcements about two things that will help get this home open sooner for the families waiting for it.
#1.
You have an exciting opportunity to help us turn $100,000 into $200,000 in order to start accepting children into the John Gullo Home for Children!
We have most of the funds to complete the capital construction but not all and we need 3 years of operational funding before opening the doors.
Can we raise the next $200,000 needed to complete construction and sustain operations in order to…
keep the momentum of the project going
not lose the construction crew to another job
get the children that need this home in there as soon as possible
That’s the big question. How about this for a solution…
Our all-volunteer Board of Directors along with Los Barriles resident and philanthropist John Gullo, have pledged a combined $100,000.00 if the community can match it.
Make an even bigger difference by doubling your donation!
Whether it's a large or small donation, every bit counts and makes a significant difference in the lives of these vulnerable children, particularly when you can…
☑︎ turn $25 into $50
☑︎ turn $500 into $1000
☑︎ turn $1000 into $2000
Naming rights are also still available for visible areas within the facility such as the children’s dormitories. Consider creating a legacy for your family or loved one.
If you can help us reach this goal, the entire home can be built and furnished, landscaping completed, and the shade pavillion erected.
In other words…
…the home will be ready for children!
Check out our donate page by clicking on the green button below to see all the options available for donating.
*When donating, be sure to indicate your donation is for the John Gullo Home for Children in order for it to qualify for the donor match.
#2.
The second big announcement is that Leaders2Give is hosting a Christmas Painting Party at the new facility from 11am - 4pm on Friday, December 23rd.
Come join us and help make the facility a welcoming refuge. Lunch, refreshments, paint, brushes and a beautiful beach bag will be provided. We ask for a $100 donation for your consideration to help cover our costs.
You can reserve your space today by making a donation. Select the John Gullo Home for Children in the drop down menu when paying by credit card or Paypal and write ‘Painting Party' in the comments section.
JJJ
Now, let's turn our attention to the incredible work our partners have been doing…
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PARTNER UPDATES
Líderes Para Dar / John Gullo Home for Children
DIF is the National System for Integral Family Development (Spanish: Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia; SNDIF or just DIF.) It’s a Mexican public institution of social assistance that focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of Mexican families.
While Leaders2Give is funding the capital construction and operational sustainment costs for the John Gullo Home for Children we are building in El Cardonal, and while we cover the minimum operating costs for New Creation Kids children’s home in La Paz, it is DIF which governs the facilities, selects the eligible children, enforces compliance for child protection, and facilitates management.
Recently, Director Juan Carlos Esqueda Hampl & Director Belen Meza Sandez from Lidéras Para Dar (translates to Leaders2Give which is our Mexican sister organization) met with the DIF Director for the state of BCS, Alberto Ceceña, and Dra. Tonantzin Guadalupe Torres Navarro, Coordinadora de Representación Jurídica, to discuss the progress being made on the John Gullo Home for Children.
Key focus areas included:
Operating Procedures
Legal and Insurance Requirements
Next steps for operating permits
Special thanks to these dedicated and compassionate individuals who are focused on protecting vulnerable children.
New Creation Kids (NCK) Children’s Home
Hurricane Norma has come and gone and unlike Hurricanes of past the Children of NCK did NOT fall asleep wet, hungry and afraid. The solar and battery back up system functioned throughout and the facility suffered little core damage.
How is this possible?
Well…because of you! In 2014 Hurricane Odile destroyed much of the facility. Since then, hundreds of you have donated amounts large and small to help us protect these vulnerable children by, first, rebuilding better than before.
And second, by covering their more basic operational needs like fuel, food, school, and water. It’s because of you that the sounds of cheer and laughter echo across the playground, storm or no storm.
Thank you.
The East Cape Health Center
Autumn has approached just in time for the East Cape Health Center’s big Day of the Dead Parade on Nov 1. It’s a FUN event with their ambulance, floats, quads, and side-by-sides all dressed up, driving slowly through Los Barriles' crowded streets. They all dress the part with the usual array of Day of the Dead costumes with Catrina headdresses as they toss candy to the bystanders en route to the Cemetery. This event kicks off an evening of music, fun, and tree planting around the perimeter of the cemetery tombs.
This year, the event is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Barriles and Crescent Moon.
The Center’s next big event will be their involvement with the Rotary Club’s annual Taste of East Cape, held on December 2nd. The Taste features 18 restaurants that compete for the top 5 prizes for best restaurants in Los Barriles. The East Cape Health Center will be running the bar this year, providing everyone with refreshments, and beer, not to mention La Casitas’ famous margarita mix. They hope to generate enough donations during this evening's event to help defer the costs for medical expenses of several of their beneficiaries. The Center allocates funds for monthly prescriptions, labs, and medical/dental treatment for notable families referred from the DIF in La Ribera and Los Barriles. Their assistance to the children of New Creation Kids in La Paz is what warms their hearts the most. Those vulnerable children thrive on the medical and dental care they deserve.
For more information on how to best contribute, click any of the “DONATE NOW” buttons on this page. When donating, be sure to indicate your support is for the East Cape Health Center.
Feeding The Hungry
4WD Fun Ride for Feeding the Hungry.
Fri Dec 15.
Baja at its best.
The most ATV fun you’ll ever have, and a fundraiser for Feeding the Hungry.
If you enjoy a fun ATV ride in the back country, get a group of your friends together and come to the Saturday Market on Nov 11 or 16 to register your group and secure a place on this ‘Must Do Event’ of the season.
Last year around 200 people, in small groups of friends, enjoyed a fun ATV ride through the back country, solving puzzles along the way, and raised over 100,000 pesos to help feed the most needy in our community.
For full details about the event visit https://www.AtvFunLosBarriles.com
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
S.N.A.P. continues to demonstrate unwavering dedication to promoting responsible pet ownership of our furry friends and the wellbeing of families. We are proud to highlight several significant developments.
In October, S.N.A.P. embarked on an impactful collaboration with Cortez Rescue, focusing on addressing pet overpopulation and mitigating the spread of disease. This partnership introduced a new incentive for families, offering complimentary flea and tick medication with every spay and neuter procedure conducted throughout the month of October.
Despite facing unforeseen challenges posed by Hurricane Norma, S.N.A.P. remained steadfast in their dedication to pet well-being and healthy families. The October pet wellness month campaign not only weathered the storm but also saw an increase in the number of families accessing our services for their furry friends. This not only ensures the health of pets but also protects children from the potential spread of disease during challenging times.
S.N.A.P.’s educational initiatives and communication efforts have been instrumental in driving positive change within our community. The number of families opting for spaying and neutering procedures for their beloved pets continues to rise. In October 2023, S.N.A.P. proudly reached a milestone, surpassing 1,100 surgeries for the year. This upward trend underscores the effectiveness of S.N.A.P.’s message and the community's increasing commitment to responsible pet ownership.
This is the third year in a row that S.N.A.P.’s numbers have increased by at least 20% or more. Without your financial support, S.N.A.P. will need to reduce access to services in 2024.
To Donate to Leaders2Give and any of our Partners, visit our Donate page.