Volunteer event: Dog Day! Fri, Dec 2

Dog Day!

This Friday, December 2

Meet at Cafe Delicias 8am

YES! WOOF! Dog Day is approaching again... fast!

Helene, who runs Dogland, is suggesting (though no obligation - everybody can decide what he/she wants to do and in which way he wants to help) concentration on cleaning the houses, yards, beds and food plates. The workers never have enough time to clean these really well. This will help a lot.

Again, cleaning up the yard, etc., is absolutely not an obligation; the dogs are, of course, more than happy to receive your love, be brushed and ear cleaning is always a job that takes a lot of time.

All the 174 dogs send you their greetings and are very excited about the next Friday.

Event: First Friday Dog Day - Dog Loving

Date: Friday, November 4, 2011

Time: Meet Up at 8 am at Cafe Delicias in San Ramon for Carpool/Caravan to Piedades Sur. Passengers, please give driver 1,000 c toward gas.

The first First Friday Dog Day (Dog Wash Day) was a great success. There were 11 of us, 4 guys, which was great since they handled most of the hose work! We washed, dried and brushed about 30 dogs (no one was counting!). Many got their ears cleaned by our own "Staff Veterinarian" Lisa Gellock (as well as some nails trimmed).

Some pooches knew a good thing when it happened and refused to leave warm snuggly laps... and most of the laps didn't want them to leave either! Helene Wirt, the wonderful warm heart behind Dogland, couldn't say thank you enough, but we all felt we should be thanking her for the opportunity. A great time was had by all!

Each month, on the first Friday, we are planning to go to Dogland. The plan at this time is to spend alternate visits washing, and loving. If other needs arrive that we can help with, those activities will be added. So, as October had Dog Wash Day, November will have Dog Loving Day.

Most of the volunteers arrived with supplies of dog shampoos, ear cleaner, dog food, and towels, others who could not attend sent more supplies, as well as cash donations. Helene says it costs her about $4000.00 a month to run this rescue operation. Needless to say any and all donations are most welcome.

Volunteer Event: Help for Budding Artists!

Our friends Mike and Earl are volunteer art teachers at the Magellanes School. They are asking for our help for the next two weeks in collecting materials for their students:

1. Empty, clean tin cans...please take the labels off
2. Crepe Paper, any color or type
3. Fabric or material, any size remnants
4. White glue
5. Leftover buttons
6. Colored paper, any type
7. And for the fashionistas among us: Women's or Men's Hats!

Also, if you have a project you would like to do with the students or to make drop off arrangements, just give them a call at 2445-1807/8354-1925. ALTERNATIVE DROP OFF, BRING ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO CAFE DELICOUS FOR THE NEXT TWO THURSDAYS (AUGUST 19 AND 26 BETWEEN 10 AND NOON AND I WILL ARRANGE TO TAKE IT TO MIKE AND EARL FOR YOU. Just look for all the Gringas! Join us for coffee too if you have time!

What a nice way to clean out your casa and recycle items where they will make a difference to a lot of sweet kids!

Volunteer Event: Recycling Center Cleanup -- We Need You!

Many of you may know about the recycling center in San Juan operated by the women’s cooperative, COFERENE. Thanks to the efforts of Joe Brown and others from the community a major effort is under way to organize, clean up and paint the center.

Show your support for recycling and COFERENE by joining us this Saturday for a clean up effort. The work day will be organized as follows: remove garbage for hauling to dump, clean up (sweeping and mopping), and then painting if time permits.

Following are the details:

Day/Date: Saturday, July 10
Shifts: 8:00 am to 11:00 am (bring a snack)
11:00 am to 2:00 pm (bring a bag lunch)

Things to Bring: Gloves
Mops and brooms
Paint trays and brushes
Snack or Lunch

Note that in addition to helping the center operate more safely and efficiently we will be helping COFERENE prepare for an Environmental Fair (Feria Ambiental) they are hosting on Friday, July 16 to celebrate their 15th year of operation.

If you’re able to volunteer your time please email mike@styles.com and indicate which shift you can work. Your help will be greatly appreciated!