Children’s Shelter of Hope Blog

 

I have just returned from Puerto Vallarta for a board meeting of the Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation and some much loved time with the children at the Refugio and Pasitos de Luz.

In the 15 days I was there, 5 new children arrived on the door steps of RISE – YES, five children, PLUS the 3 who arrived from Child Protective Services (DIF) in August.  This now gives us 47 children who reside full time at RISE and whom we help support through your generous donations.

When a child arrives, they come only with the clothes on their backs.  Soon after children arrive a brief evaluation of their physical and mental needs is made.   Three of the children’s heads were so infested with head lice that there was no other option but to give all the girls a ”butch” hair cut. Our psychologist reports that these children had experienced both physical and mental trauma, but sadly, it was not from the hair cuts.

Since my own children are grown, I asked myself “How much will it cost RISE to provide just ONE child with the basics they will need?”  Since I did NOT know, I decided I needed to go shopping for 3 t-shirts, 3 underpants, 4 pairs of socks, tennis shoes, sandals, 2 tops, 1 pair of shorts, 1 skirt, 1 dress and a pair of pajama’s.  The total expense for just one child was approximately $1500 Pesos OR “$120 US (the amount requested for being a current  10 x 10 Child Sponsor for one year).  Now multiply that by 5, and if 5 more arrive, multiply that again!

And with all this said, I am happy to announce our newest board member, Susan Solomon, who will soon be directing our 10 x 10 Program and will be introducing to you new ways you can help our mission.

Along with the Holiday Season come gift lists.  Each year I spend hours scratching my head for a gift that special someone would need, like, and enjoy.  But most of us already have so much that it gets harder each year….and that is when I thought to myself, why don’t I give a gift that will bring happiness and hope to a child?  With that in mind I wrote this poem.  If you’d like to share a gift that gives to needy children, please send your donation to Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation by December 15^th.  Please include the name, street address, city, state and zip code along with the email address for the friend(s)/ family that your gift honors.  I’ll send them a lovely card with my poem.

I’ve taken some time,
And given it some thought.
When it comes to gifts,
I think we all have a lot.

A lot of candles and bobbles,
And books we won’t read,
Cookies and candies,
With calories we don’t need!

So this year, I’ve decided
To do something new.
A gift from my heart,
In honor of you.

I’ve made a donation,
To help the very poor,
At a Mexican refuge,
Providing shelter and more.

And although you can’t hold it,
Abandoned children will know,
That all of us together,
Are helping them grow!

 

For more information about this very special shelter and our 10 x 10 child sponsorship program, please check the website for Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation at www.cshf-us.org and help to pass on this idea of the Giving Gift!!

For those of you lucky enough to be in Puerto Vallarta:

Please join us for a pre-holiday Trunk show, cocktails and appetizers – Sunday, Dec. 9th at stunning Casa Karma (Carr. Barra de Navidad #1247 – next to LindoMar and El Set) from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. Art-wear presented by Sucesos Boutique, live music, gorgeous views, and lots of FUN!! A donation of $250 pesos per person is requested. Contact Luis at RISE (222-7857) or Chris Amo at chris@cshf-us.org on or before Friday, Dec. 7th to be a part of this special evening. All funds from this event will go to RISE.