"So this [was] Christmas. And what have you done?" John Lennon posited in one of his songs. Well, Sunshine Coasters did a lot of good at the Feliz Navidad Garage Sale in December at the Gibsons United Church.
With the backdrop of a red and white poinsettia-covered stage, Christmas lights twinkling on the boughs and the comforting aroma of hot mulled apple juice simmering on the stove, browsers were able to relax between purchases and enjoy donated and home-made baking. Even the Winter Concert singers treated us to a pre-concert carol. An abundance of cookies, toys, games, books and CDs, gently-loved clothes, almost-new household gadgets and raffle tickets were all for sale. Many locals did their Christmas shopping, each purchase helping to lift a Mexican child out of the dirt - literally. During the concert's intermission, members of the audience and choir surged into the hall. This lovely group greatly contributed to the lively atmosphere and the successful outcome.
Thanks to Coast Reporter's published article about this event, locals continued to pour in throughout the day bearing gifts of home baking and household goods. But the sale could not have happened without the generosity of donors, the ever-so- hard-working volunteers and church members.
At the end of the day, unsold items were distributed between the church's thrift store, Happy Cat Haven and Community Services. Net proceeds raised amounted to $1,287.95. With an additional $212.65 collected previously, $1,500.50 was sent to www.porlosninos.com before Christmas.
The funds have already been allocated to finish a half-built classroom, which now needs a concrete floor and bars on the windows at Francisco Madero primary school in Las Posas community outside Zihuatanejo. Because the municipal government in "Zih" is relocating families from the risky and hilled areas around the city to a safer and flatter plain, the younger school population has more than doubled in Las Posas. The parents have already constructed one classroom of sorts, block walls with lamina roof and a lunch bar. Now they need materials to finish this classroom and build another one to accommodate the increasing number of children from the poorest families, who love to learn.
In addition to funds sent, four more suitcases of backpacks, shoes, educational supplies and clothes donated by Sunshine Coasters are being taken to Zihuatanejo this spring by vacationing volunteers.
If you want to know more about this amazing foundation that makes Mexican miracles happen, you can go directly to www.porlosninos.com and give as little or as much as you want.
