12-13-2011
|
#1 (permalink) |
|
employee of the month
  Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Christmas Dreams Playa
 Christmas Dreams Playa is a group of locals from Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas along the Mayan Riviera who have, for a number of years, banded together to help provide happier holidays for the less fortunate in our shared community. We collect donations of non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, and toys to help feed and clothe familes and elders with few resources, and we love seeing the smile on a child's face when he or she receives a toy--for most of these children, this will be the only toy they will receive all year. Some of you will remember last year's Toy Drive for a low-income special needs school I helped coordinate. This year, that school here in Playa had most of the gifts for their students covered by Sam's Club/Wal-mart. There were 45 remaining kids without a gift/answered wish, so we've already found generous donors to give them their gifts--they will be given out at the school's Christmas party this coming Friday and I'll be on hand along with a photographer friend.  Christmas Dreams Playa still has three projects we're working on this holiday season: 1. We were asked by another CAM school (special needs school) in the city of Jose Maria Morelos to provide gifts for 29 kids. When the letters actually showed up, there were over 100 letters.  Fortunately, the grateful director (whose students are desperately in need) said we have no time limit on these gifts--that he and the families and the children will simply be grateful if we can get the gifts at any time. I read each one of these letters and some of them are just heartbreaking--a 9 year old boy writing 'Amigo Santa' and asking for a new t-shirt and nothing more, or a pair of pants and some flip flops. I'll be posting some of these scanned letters on the Christmas Dreams Playa Facebook page later today in the hopes that we can fulfill these simple wishes.2. Also in Jose Maria Morelos, the organization DIF has identified a number of elders in the community who are in need of basic food supplies. Dispensas (packages of basic food supplies that are commonly sold here) will be perfect as starters, but they definitely need blankets, flip flops and additional beans, rice, sugar. We hope we can purchase these in bulk and divvy them up into zip lock bags. Again, these will not be given out until January so there is no short deadline. 3. Our third project will be collectiong donations of school supplies for a school in Playa del Carmen's far West side Guadalupana neighborhood. The students there are dirt poor and have very few school supplies and the teachers have literally nothing to teach with. There are 60 children in that school in grades K-6. They could all use age appropriate school supplies and possibly backpacks if they could be donated. One of the teachers has tried many times to get something going for these children. Crayons, markers, scissors, rulers, paper, pens, pencils, etc. are all needed. They can be given at any time after the holidays and can be given multiple times during the school year. Later today, some of the letters from the CAM school kids will be uploaded on the Christmas Dreams Playa Facebook page. Because I simply cannot scan every letter, I made a catalog of every CAM school child's wish. I will also post information about how to make one of these wishes come true. If you'd like to bring down school supplies or toys, or make donations of non-perishable food items, please contact me at andersen[dot]heather408[at symbol]gmail[dot]com and I will make arrangements with you to pick these up from you. If you'd like to simply donate some funds to help any or all of these projects, please go to www.paypal.com and send your donation (no amount is too small) to this email address: christmasdreams2011[at symbol]gmail.com Please specify in the comments of your donation whether your funds should be used for "General toys," "General School Supplies" or "General food." Thank you for listening. More information and photos will be forthcoming.  "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. " --Mother Teresa
__________________
 
|
|
|
| register to remove these adverts | |
|
12-13-2011
|
#2 (permalink) | |
|
aņejo
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,876
|
Quote:
Thank you Heather! It's amazing how a small donation, can help these less fortunate people. I was lucky enough to buy a soccer ball for one of these kids, and another donation will be made this weekend! |
|
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#4 (permalink) |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Here are a number of the Letters to Santa from the kids at the CAM special needs school in Jose Maria Morelos.
The school has about 85 kids without a gift this holiday season--I'm trying to make sure they all get one by Three King's Day, which is January 6. Please, if you are coming down here from the US or Canada anytime from now until about January 1, would you please considering bringing down one of the gifts these kids are requesting? They are SO much more expensive to buy here. If you can't be here, but would like to send money so that I or one of the other elves can go shop for the present, please let me know in a comment or a private message which of the kids' dreams you'd like to make come true and I'll send all the info. If you'd like to just make a general donation for any kid, please visit PayPal and send your donation to christmasdreams2011@gmail.com Then just let me know, so I can alert the program director to check the account for it.
|
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#6 (permalink) | |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Quote:
 You're always the first to jump in and make people smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#8 (permalink) | |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Quote:
 This town and these kids have even fewer resources than those living in Playa--no tourism/no jobs/not a lot of opportunities for help. |
|
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#10 (permalink) | |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#13 (permalink) |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
For those who don't want to sort through the letters (it's a charming, but exhausting task; believe me, I know), here is a complete list of all the kids, their ages, and the gift they've asked for. When I see it like this, I feel very overwhelmed and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it happen.
 1.Dilan Ake Pat 1yr --Plastic car with handle so mom can push him around. Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 1 year old with motor skills disabilities--maybe an interative toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 2.Felipe de Jesus 3yrs-- learning laptop/abc toy GIFTED ALREADY 3.Ingrid Grissel Ucan Martin 3yrs--baby doll that talksGIFTED ALREADY 4.Emiliano Medina Mex 3yrs--Buzz Lightyear or remote control plane GIFTED ALREADY 5.Camilita Darani Huchin Ek 3yrs--learning laptop/abc toy GIFTED ALREADY 6.Jose Luis Ortegon Osorio 1yr--firetruck with lights and soundsGIFTED ALREADY 7.Ivana del Mar Vela Montero 3yrs--plastic car with handle so mom can push her around --Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 3 year old with motor skills disabilities--maybe an interative toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 8.Antonella Rommary Montero Osorio 3--learning laptop/abc toy GIFTED ALREADY 9.Angel Fernando Hu Canul 2yrs-- tricycle or a plastic toy he can ride on--Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 2 year old with motor skills disabilities--maybe an interative toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 10.Joaquin Francisco Lopez Chi 3yrs—tricycle/small bicycle--Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 3 year old with motor skills disabilities--maybe an interative toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 11.Pedro Toxqui Mex 3—tricycle/small bicycle--Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 3 year old boyGIFTED ALREADY 12.Yuliana Berenice Canche Canche 2--plastic car with handle so mom can push her around--Realistically, any toy appropriate for a 2 year old with motor skills disabilities--maybe an interative toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 13.Alexandro Cocon Pat 11 month--Realistically, any toy appropriate for an 11 month old GIFTED ALREADY 14.Jimena Alonzo Ortiz 3yrs--learning laptop/abc toyGIFTED ALREADY 15.Cecilia Carolina Canche Canche 3yrs—mobile with sounds/lights to catch attentionGIFTED ALREADY 16.Wilian Wilfredo Ramirez Cauich 3yrs--remote control carGIFTED ALREADY 17.Emily Ceballas Quinones 3yrs--baby doll that says mama and has toy strollerGIFTED ALREADY 18.Richar Jesus Feria Cervantes 3yrs--guitar toy with soundsGIFTED ALREADY 19.Mildred Guadalupe Osorio Tamay 11 mnths--animal sounds toy or musical 'guitar' toy GIFTED ALREADY 20.Israel Mezeta Cabrera 3yrs--firetruck with lights and soundsGIFTED ALREADY 21.Alicia Dzul Ortiz 3yrs--Barbie house/Barbies GIFTED ALREADY 22.Esmeralda Gutierrez Gomez 2yrs-- carriola GIFTED ALREADY 23.Angel Israel Sanchez Bautista 2yrs--Laptop/abc toyGIFTED ALREADY 24.Michael Vera Zapata 4yrs--learning laptop GIFTED ALREADY 25.Ariadne Abigail Vera Cervantes 6yrs--paints set GIFTED ALREADY 26.Emiliano Salas 4yrs--bicycle (but realistically, any toy appropriate for a 4 year old boy with learning problems)GIFTED ALREADY 27.Jesus Pat Noh 6yrs--Nintendo(but more realistically, some other cool toy for a boy) GIFTED ALREADY 28.Marcos Vazquez 6yrs--outfit of clothes Tshirt Mexican size 10, pants size 10, shoes size 20 GIFTED ALREADY 29.Ruben Caamal Chan 6yrs--nintendo or a soccer ball GIFTED ALREADY 30.Alejandra Osorio Tamay 5yrs--Barbie house and/or Barbie GIFTED ALREADY 31.Isla Aranza Varguez Cauich 5yrs--learning laptop toyGIFTED ALREADY 32.Humberta Yarely Ek Cen 5yrs--baby doll that makes sounds or talks GIFTED ALREADY 33.Aldo Joaquin Alonso Mesa 5yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 34.Marcela Guadalupe Ko Poot 4yrs--tricycle or a little car she can ride on (but realistically any toy appropriate for a 4 year old with motor skills, maybe an interactive toy with lights/sounds)GIFTED ALREADY 35.Maria Sherlin Montanez Perez 5yrs--baby doll that makes sounds or talks GIFTED ALREADY 36.Jariss Romina Tun Manzanilla 4yrs--toy laptop/abc toy or a baby doll that eats and pees GIFTED ALREADY 37.Daniela Toxqui Mex 5yrs--big doll that cries or talks or a bicycle GIFTED ALREADY 38.Cristian Torres Rodriguez 4yrs--bicycle GIFTED ALREADY 39.Neybi Yoandra Gonzalez Ake 4yrs--bicycle GIFTED ALREADY 40.Felipe Varguez Canul5yrs--pants, shirts, tshirts sizes pending GIFTED ALREADY 41.Ailin Monserat Avila 5yrs--baby doll GIFTED ALREADY 42.Angela Valentin Barrera 5yrs--Easy Bake Oven or Snowcone maker GIFTED ALREADY 43.Carlos Eduardo Toloso Pat 6yrs--clothes and chanclas GIFTED ALREADY 44.Julian Enrique Cervantes Cam 6yrs--patin GIFTED ALREADY 45.David Alexander Cahuich Magana 5yrs--plastilinas GIFTED ALREADY 46.Edgar Antonio May Dias 7yrs--video game console, but realistically some other boy toy GIFTED ALREADY 47.Melanny Betsabe 8yrs--learning laptop GIFTED ALREADY 48.Isai Gonzalez Mena 7yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 49.Harley Herrera Ruiz 7yrs--bicycle, but realistically some other toy appropriate for a 7 yr old boyGIFTED ALREADY 50.Braulio Armando Lopez Col 7yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 51.Agustin Xiu Mex 7yrs--razor scooter GIFTED ALREADY 52.Josue Jovani Pech Tapia 7yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 53.Reyna Rubi Dzib Gongora 7yrs--baby doll that cries and laughs GIFTED ALREADY 54.Carlos Daniel May Tzab 8yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 55.Diana Patricia 7yrs--learning laptop GIFTED ALREADY 56.Alan Eduardo Gongora 8yrs--scooter with handles GIFTED ALREADY 57.Julio Cohoo Chan 7yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 58.Marcos Cavich Azueta 8yrs--camisa y zapatos GIFTED ALREADY 59. Liali Guerrero Cabrera 8yrs--estuche pinturas GIFTED ALREADY 60.Orlando Perez Moo 10yrs--video game console but realistically another boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 61.Miguel May Dzul 10yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 62.Idrian Jesus Moo Jimenes 9yrs--tee shirt, but let’s get him a boy toy, too GIFTED ALREADY 63.Jose Alejandro Mex Canto 10yrs--nintendo game boy but realistically another boy toy GIFTED ALREADY 64.Willian Canche Tolosa 9yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 65.Esmerelda Herrera Mukul 9yrs--Barbie and house or other acccessories GIFTED ALREADY 66.Jorge Blanco Pech 9yrs--nintendo game boy but realistically another boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 67.Luis Alfonso Medina Yam 9yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 68.Maria Minelia Panti Pech 9yrs--clothes size 10 GIFTED ALREADY 69.Jorge de Jesus Castillo 10yrs--tshirt and pants GIFTED ALREADY 70.Crisanta Maribel Batun Cocom 13yrs--Barbie GIFTED ALREADY 71.Victor Tilan Cime 12yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 72.Marcos 12 yrs--remote control car GIFTED ALREADY 73.Isabel Gonzalez Dzib 12yrs--baby doll with toy stroller GIFTED ALREADY 74. Sheila Colli Balam 11yrs--baby doll with toy stroller GIFTED ALREADY 75.Sergio Gutierrez Caamal 12yrs-- guitar GIFTED ALREADY 76.Alba Noemi Xoo Jimenes 15yrs—blouse, but I think another girly thing, too—like hair accessories or a makeup kit GIFTED ALREADY 77.Daniel Orlando Euan Martin 17yrs--ropa GIFTED ALREADY 78.Eduardo Ivan Cupul Sosa 14yrs--playera y short GIFTED ALREADY 79.Deysi Noh Chan 14yrs--estuche cosmeticos GIFTED ALREADY 80.Jesus Francisco Pech Borges (? Age)--Guitar to sing and learn sounds GIFTED ALREADY 81.Leslie Caamal Manzanilla (?Age)—Barbie PrincessGIFTED ALREADY 82.Rosmeri Darai Caamal Manzanilla (?Age)--baby doll that cries GIFTED ALREADY 83.Sandi Sagrario Sanchez Sanchez (Age?)-- musical keyboard GIFTED ALREADY 84.Miguel Gomez Barrera (Age?)-- Guitar to sing and learn sounds GIFTED ALREADY 85.Jose Filemon Pat Ucac (Age?)--toy gun to play with his friends--maybe a super soaker? GIFTED ALREADY 86.Gualberto (Age?)—asked only for t-shirt, but how about a cool boy’s toy, too?GIFTED ALREADY 87.Victor Yahir Munoz Caamal (Age?)--Max Steel doll GIFTED ALREADY 88.Josue Edelberto Avila Uc (Age?)—clothes GIFTED ALREADY 89.Jose Eleazar Cime Pool (Age?) tshirt GIFTED ALREADY 90.no name on letter (Age?)--baby doll GIFTED ALREADY 91.no name on letter (Age?)--baby doll with stroller GIFTED ALREADY 92.Deynai (Age?) --Barbie GIFTED ALREADY 93.Angel Alberto Cab Chan (Age?)—juguete GIFTED ALREADY 94.Maria de los Angeles Arrellanes Mukul (Age?) --Blusa GIFTED ALREADY 95.Naomi Dayanna Pasos Segovia, 2 yrs--any toy appropriate for a 2 yr old with motor skill disabilities; perhaps an interactive toy with lights/soundsGIFTED ALREADY 96.Neyvi Jhoandra Gonzalez Ake, 3 years--any toy appropriate for a 3 yr old GIFTED ALREADY 97. Santiago Chimas Gongora, 1 yr--any toy appropriate for a 1 year old boy GIFTED ALREADY 98.Rubi Mex Tuz, 3 yrs-- any toy appropriate for a 3 yr old girlGIFTED ALREADY 99. Isaac Cel Ucan, 4 yrs--any age-appropriate boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 100. Josue Alfredo Caamal Tun, 2--any age-appropriate boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 101. Claudia Marisol Cohuo Pech, 4 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 102. Dianela Tox Diaz, 5 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 103.Pedro Daniel Novelo Chan, 4 yrs--any age-appropriate boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 104. Marilu Chuc Avila, 6 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 105. Abigail Monserrat Avila Ucan, 6 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 106. Ailin Guadalupe Torres, 5 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 107. Ligia Hernandez Cabrera, 7 yrs--any age-appropriate girl toy for a child with language/communication difficultiesGIFTED ALREADY 108. Guadalupe Catzin Chim, 5 years--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 109. Mario Alberto Yupit Can, 7yrs--any age-appropriate boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 110. Jose Luis Ortegon Mukul,7yrs--any age-appropriate boy toyGIFTED ALREADY 111. Paola Antonia May Mukul, 9 yrs--any age-appropriate toy for a child with motor skills disabilities, perhaps an interactive/learning toy with lights and sounds or a learning/abcs toy, or a musical toyGIFTED ALREADY 112. Angel Manuel Pat Cab, 10 yrs--any age-appropriate toy for a child with motor skills disabilities, perhaps an interactive/learning toy with lights and sounds or a learning/abcs toy, or a musical toyGIFTED ALREADY 113. Mildred Solis Chan, 10 years--any age-appropriate girl toyGIFTED ALREADY 114.Noemi Kiquey Tox Lopez, 13 years--any age-appropriate toy for a child with motor skills disabilities, perhaps a musical toyGIFTED ALREADY 113. Cindy Anahy Cetina Tun, 14 yrs--any girl toy appropriate for a child with mental disabilities; perhaps dolls or other girl toysGIFTED ALREADY 114. Ericka Regina Navarrete May,14 yrs--any girl toy appropriate for a child with mental disabilities; perhaps dolls or other girl toysGIFTED ALREADY 115. Sofia Estrella Puc, 14 yrs--any girl toy appropriate for a child with mental disabilities; perhaps dolls or other girl toysGIFTED ALREADY 116. Sharon Martin Uc, 13 yrs--any girl toy appropriate for a child with mental disabilities; perhaps dolls or other girl toysGIFTED ALREADY |
|
|
|
|
12-15-2011
|
#15 (permalink) | |
|
employee of the month
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Playa del Carmen
Posts: 14,600
|
Quote:
Which of the kids would you like to buy a gift for? Or would you just like a 'general' donation for toys, food, or school supplies?
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
