ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
[scroll down for Partner updates]
Yes, you read that right… ONE MILLION DOLLARS! [cue Austin Powers GIF]
Today, the incredible power of cooperation and collaboration came to the forefront and wow am I ever feeling inspired!
Never in my wildest imagination did I foresee so many small and independent community groups focused on solving diverse problems come together to fulfill a common purpose and promise.
It doesn’t matter that one group and their supporters are focusing their time and energy on healthcare while another is focused on education or that one group is focused on food security while another group is focused on housing or animal population control with a focus on youth leadership development.
It doesn’t matter that some are from Canada and some are from the US while others are from Mexico or Europe. It doesn’t matter that some are wealthy and others are not or that some are gay and some are straight. It doesn’t matter that some are liberal, conservative, Christian, or Jewish.
What really matters is what we all have in common… we all share a common purpose. Ultimately, we all want to do our part in protecting vulnerable children.
That’s what really matters and that’s what we are all doing together because it is not a competition.
The power and productivity being harnessed by your cooperation far exceeds what we are capable of doing alone and each of you are proving it every single day. I’m so proud of you. So grateful to contribute. It gives me an enormous sense of belonging in a world that seems so divided.
Yesterday Leaders2Give crossed the $1,000,000 mark in terms of total funds raised since its inception for all of our partners and the John Gullo Home for Children.
All of that money went to improving the lives of vulnerable families and children.
It paid for health, dental, and vision care
It paid for a roof over heads
It paid for food on the table every day
It paid for education
It paid for animal population control, community safety, and youth leadership development
It paid to sustain an existing facility and construct a new one
It’s an expression of love and is reflected in bright smiles. It can be heard in laughter and will deliver on the promise of a better and brighter future for all of us.
You did this - and we did this - together - and we will continue to do it - together - and we will do it in spite of our differences because we are joined by a sense of community, love, and of hope.
I couldn’t be more excited to spread the word about all of the great community groups and nonprofits we help support.
Please read all of their updates below:
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PARTNER UPDATES
Líderes Para Dar / John Gullo Home for Children
To help facilitate the development of the John Gullo Home for Children and its ongoing operations, as well as helping to ensure it’s a local community run and culturally sensitive operation, Leaders2Give created Líderes Para Dar as its Mexican non-profit subsidiary.
We are delighted to welcome two new Board members to the Líderes Para Dar Board of Directors, Hector Boirie, who will serve as Board President and Belén Meza Sandez, who will serve as Board Director.
Belén Meza Sandez is a financial and fiscal accounting technician and was born in the community of El Cardonal, BCS where she currently lives with her family.
Belén’s daughter Maria inspired the project to build a new temporary home for children while their families’ experience a medical crisis. While receiving treatment for Leukemia, Maria learned of the many vulnerable women (mostly single mothers living in poverty) who were forced to abandon their healthy children to seek treatment for themselves or a sick child.
If you recognize Belén it’s because she is the Sub-Delegado (similar to Deputy Mayor) of El Cardonal and volunteers for many environmental programs such as the recycling and turtle rescue programs.
We are equally excited to welcome Hector Boirie to the Board as President. Hector is now retired after a successful 40-year career in healthcare where he held multiple senior executive roles in operations and strategic planning.
Hector and his wife Sonia Collazo Boirie are bilingual in English and Spanish and have been full-time residents of Los Barriles, BCS since October 2022. They have two adult children, six grandchildren and the greatest dog in the world, Ike.
Hector enjoys serving his local community in a variety of roles including at the East Cape Health Center and Cortez Rescue.
Please join me and the all-volunteer board of both Leaders2Give and Líderes Para Dar in welcoming Hector & Bélen. We are extremely excited for their contributions.
New Creation Kids Children’s Home
The Director of the children’s home is Roberto Osuno. He and his wife Alma look after the day to day operations of the home and are tireless advocates for the health and well-being of these kids. Basically, without Roberto & Alma, and those who offer support New Creation Kids would likely not exist because there is little to no government funding available for homes like this.
About 7 or 8 years ago, Roberto was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. This is alarming in any circumstance but when you are the one caring for up to 30 vulnerable kids that concern increases significantly. Thanks to Char and all of you who support the East Cape Health Clinic, Roberto was able to get the basic medical care needed to treat it. Unfortunately, his esophagus was nicked during his surgery which resulted in the need for a feeding tube. Follow up treatments were also inadequate due to the lack of funds to travel and it’s been an ongoing struggle.
It’s been many years since the first surgery and problems persist. Char is a tireless advocate for the vulnerable and continues to ensure that Roberto - and all of the kids at New Creation Kids - are cared for.
Last week she confirmed that a surgeon has taken on Roberto’s case and will provide the follow up care he needs - pro bono - for as long as it takes. Amazing!
None of this would be possible without the generosity, love and support of so many amazing people and I just wanted to say thank you! Thanks to Char and another amazing woman from Los Barriles, Hope Zak, who helped procure specialty equipment from the US. Thank you Dr. Ariolla. Thank you Roberto & Alma, …and thank YOU to this incredibly generous and compassionate community.
The East Cape Health Center
Good news! The East Cape Health Center is moving along with their Women’s Health Center. The consultation room is nearly complete and their new 4D Doppler Ultrasound has arrived. They will begin making appointments from their waiting list as soon as they are fully trained in using this new, state-of-the-art equipment.
They expect to begin welcoming patients after April 1st.
In other exciting news, The East Cape Health Center just completed a week of community health screenings. They started in the schools in El Campemento with over 200 children tested. The final day was in El Cardonal with another 110 kids. They tested glucose levels, blood pressure, oxygen levels, temperature, vision, and conducted oral hygiene exams as many of the children are in need of oral hygiene, restoration, and general brushing education.
The health center is always so impressed with the level of cooperation they receive from the little ones, especially the kindergarteners. Working with the children’s families, they are able to schedule follow-up appointments when necessary, and bring better awareness of the preventative health programs they offer. Join the East Cape Health Center in their campaign to know your state of health.
Feeding The Hungry
This month Feeding the Hungry is linking up with the Lack Family for a fundraising concert at La Playa restaurant at 6:30pm on April 21. The Lack Family have been coming to Los Barriles for many years and entertaining the residents with their energetic performances.
It is believed that they will finish their set with their energizing rendition of the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird. This is definitely a performance not to be missed!
Come and enjoy a good meal, a great musical evening, and make a donation to help feed the poorest of the poor in our community. This event is likely to sell out so, to avoid disappointment, reserve a table directly with La Playa.
SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
SNAP Los Barriles is working towards building new community relationships and strengthening other partnerships to help families take the basic steps of combating the overpopulation of dogs and cats.
This month SNAP has been in dialogue with the local rescue about how to share resources to be able to provide outreach to surrounding communities with a higher need for services. SNAP is also in discussion on how they can provide mentorship and provide community service hours for about thirty-five 7th graders in Los Barriles.
To Donate to Leaders2Give and any of our Partners, visit our Donate page.