RT Gooch
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2015 PeruTops Kids' Christmas Fund & Evento
Hello all. RT here.
As is our custom around here, the gang at PeruTops are big on Giving Back to the community. Our main method is the annual Christmas Kids Fund. This year's theme is More Happy Faces (Por Mas Caritas Felices).
What we do is -- we pick an area on the outskirts of Lima (some of these neighborhoods are mad poor), coordinate with a local school or church or something, and show up the weekend before Christmas in force and throw the Mother of All Parties for the local kids, including Chocolate Milk, Cake, a Show (with Clowns, Dancing Girls, Giant Cuys) and -- best of all -- every kid gets a Christmas Gift. And, when there's enough money, some of the moms wind up with stuff for the house, like Milk and Rice and things of that sort.
It's really, really rewarding. Most of these kids aren't getting any wrapped gifts for the holiday, and you get to see a boatload of smiles from the kids and their parents. I always leave there feeling like a million Soles.
That sounds great, RT. How can I get involved?
Well, the best way to get involved is to come with us when we throw the party for the kids. This year's event is Sunday, December 20. We meet at one of the organizer's houses, load up the truck, hop in our bus, and head out to wherever we are going. You'll get to carry boxes, stand around in the heat, pick up garbage, and make kids smile. This year, they have found an area called Psando Pasamayo, in Huaral (I just get on the bus; that's all I know) to throw the fiesta.
Carajo! I won't be there on the 20th. Is there anything else I can do?
Of course there is. You can donate stuff, or more importantly, money. This event takes a lot of cash to pull off, and every dollar goes a long way to getting it done. There's a thread in the Spanish Forum where they talk about the items needed. CLICK HERE if you want to read about it.
It's easier to give some cash. How do I do that?
Now you're talking. There's a bunch of ways:
There's Cash involved - is there any accountability?
Well, there a thread (CLICK HERE) where all donations and outlays are reported. This happens every year. The money gets to the kids. On the day of the event, I remember kicking in a few soles of my own to cover my lunch, so there's not much that comes off the top.
Do you have any other links for us? We love clicking on things.
You can CLICK HERE to see a thread in the Spanish Forum about last year's shindig. I'm the tall one.
Or, if you can't get enough of my typing, CLICK HERE to read my thread from last year -- there's lots of photos in the last few posts.
Is there a final, impassioned personal plea that you would like to make?
There sure is!
Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from some of you.
Hello all. RT here.
As is our custom around here, the gang at PeruTops are big on Giving Back to the community. Our main method is the annual Christmas Kids Fund. This year's theme is More Happy Faces (Por Mas Caritas Felices).
What we do is -- we pick an area on the outskirts of Lima (some of these neighborhoods are mad poor), coordinate with a local school or church or something, and show up the weekend before Christmas in force and throw the Mother of All Parties for the local kids, including Chocolate Milk, Cake, a Show (with Clowns, Dancing Girls, Giant Cuys) and -- best of all -- every kid gets a Christmas Gift. And, when there's enough money, some of the moms wind up with stuff for the house, like Milk and Rice and things of that sort.
It's really, really rewarding. Most of these kids aren't getting any wrapped gifts for the holiday, and you get to see a boatload of smiles from the kids and their parents. I always leave there feeling like a million Soles.
That sounds great, RT. How can I get involved?
Well, the best way to get involved is to come with us when we throw the party for the kids. This year's event is Sunday, December 20. We meet at one of the organizer's houses, load up the truck, hop in our bus, and head out to wherever we are going. You'll get to carry boxes, stand around in the heat, pick up garbage, and make kids smile. This year, they have found an area called Psando Pasamayo, in Huaral (I just get on the bus; that's all I know) to throw the fiesta.
Carajo! I won't be there on the 20th. Is there anything else I can do?
Of course there is. You can donate stuff, or more importantly, money. This event takes a lot of cash to pull off, and every dollar goes a long way to getting it done. There's a thread in the Spanish Forum where they talk about the items needed. CLICK HERE if you want to read about it.
It's easier to give some cash. How do I do that?
Now you're talking. There's a bunch of ways:
1. If you are going to be in Lima any time before December 20th, drop me a line and I will send you the account information at BCP and you can make a deposit.
2. If you hate banks, I will be in town November 29-December 2, and again on December 11 until Christmas. Hit me up, and I will gladly accept your money, and first beer is on me.
3. You can PayPal your donation to me at rtgooch@mail.com -- I will cover any paypal fees, so 100% of your donation goes to the kids.
4. If you're old school, write me and I will send you my snail mail address, and you can send me a check.
In all cases, I will report receipt of your donation, and post the bank receipt when I deposit the money.2. If you hate banks, I will be in town November 29-December 2, and again on December 11 until Christmas. Hit me up, and I will gladly accept your money, and first beer is on me.
3. You can PayPal your donation to me at rtgooch@mail.com -- I will cover any paypal fees, so 100% of your donation goes to the kids.
4. If you're old school, write me and I will send you my snail mail address, and you can send me a check.
There's Cash involved - is there any accountability?
Well, there a thread (CLICK HERE) where all donations and outlays are reported. This happens every year. The money gets to the kids. On the day of the event, I remember kicking in a few soles of my own to cover my lunch, so there's not much that comes off the top.
Do you have any other links for us? We love clicking on things.
You can CLICK HERE to see a thread in the Spanish Forum about last year's shindig. I'm the tall one.
Or, if you can't get enough of my typing, CLICK HERE to read my thread from last year -- there's lots of photos in the last few posts.
Is there a final, impassioned personal plea that you would like to make?
There sure is!
I've been visiting Peru for ten years now. The people I have met have been the kindest and most loving that I have met anywhere in my travels. People have befriended me, taken me into their homes and their hearts for no good reason other than I was there and I showed some caring and appreciation for their culture. I am lucky enough to have been born into a situation where my immediate needs are met, and I have some additional income as well. Sharing some of my time and money with those less fortunate -- in a place that I think of as my second home -- seems like the least that I can do to pay back the love and friendship that I have found there. If you've ever visited and enjoyed the country and the people, you probably know how I feel about the place. I understand that times are tough, and many people already have established their own ways of giving back to society. However, almost by definition, people reading this forum have some disposable income. If you can find it in your budget to contribute anything -- anything -- to the kids' fund, the happiness it will create pays you back tenfold. For me, it makes me feel like a better person for doing so.
Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from some of you.
