La Playa Panama Dec 2013, Vol 11 | Page 15

P. 15 - LA PLAYA WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM DECEMBER / DICIEMBRE 2013 Food Basket Distribution to Fami- BEACHES AUTO lies in Need E very January a number of struggling families with handicapped kids receive support in the form of food baskets. The baskets are filled with dry goods such as flour, sugar, pastas, beans, and canned items such as tomato sauces, tuna, ham, sardines, vegetables, soaps, and more. The event is organized by Senora Maribel Gonzalez, who hosts the event, and by the Coronado and Area Social Association (CASA) who fund raises to provide the baskets. The basket give-away is part of a larger support program for these families, many of who live in hard-to-reach areas of the interior. This year will be the sixth year that CASA members have raised funds to provide baskets. “The first year we did this, we distributed 40 baskets. This year 80 families are on the list”, says Louise Belisle. President of CASA. Items for the baskets come from a variety of sources. CASA’s cause motivates the community to come together to help out. This year CASA held a 60’s and 70’s Rock n Auto Sales and Rentals Service and Transportation Auto Insurance and Title Transfers Roll Dance. With the help of La Ruina Restaurant in Gorgona, Poco Loco a popular rock and roll band, Gorgona’s Vecino’s Vigilantes program, the Coronado Cruiser and a number of independent donors funds were towards the baskets. Josh Stevens - 6223.8629 Craig McLeod - 6088.1681 www.beachesauto.com Car t Golfntals Re lable! Avai The basket cause also inspires a group of friendly card players who toss their spare change into a jar throughout the year. Also local businesses like HIM Center and Mail Boxes Etc donate items. Each year brings more familiar faces together says Louise Belisle, from CASA. This year, she expects to see many recognizable faces, as well as some new ones. The upcoming basket distribution event will take place on January 6th 2014, the day of the Three Kings. Last year the distribution happened on the same day, and the CASA group made paper crowns for the kids. “Watching the kids light up is just amazing”, says Louise Belisle. The event is a gift that keeps giving to everyone involved. If you would like to help provide a basket to a family in need, CASA is still accepting donations. It is preferable that all donations are made in cash, so that all baskets will include the same items. To donate, contact: [email protected] or call 6501-5423. Distribución de Cestas de Comida a Familias Necesitadas C ada enero un número de familias necesitadas con niños discapacitados recibe ayuda en la forma de cestas de comida. Estas cestas se llenan con alimentos no perecederos como harina, azúcar, pastas, frijoles, y alimentos enlatados como salsas, atún, jamón, sardinas, vegetales, sopas y más. El evento es organizado por la señora Maribel González, anfitriona del evento, y por la Coronado Social Association (CASA) que colecta fondos para proveer esas cestas. La entrega de cestas es parte de un programa de ayuda más amplio para estas familias, muchas de las cuales viven en zonas de difícil acceso en el interior. Este año, será el sexto año en el que los miembros de CASA han colectado fondos para proveer las cestas. “El primer año que hicimos el evento, distribuimos 40 cestas. Este año, hay 80 familias anota- das”, dice Louise Presidente de CASA. Belisle, Los ítems para las cestas provienen de una variedad de fuentes. La causa de CASA motiva a la comunidad a unirse para ayudar. Este año, CASA realizo un baile de Rock n Roll de los 60’s y 70’s. Con la ayuda de La Ruina en Gorgona, Poco Loco, una banda popular de rock and roll, el programa de Vecinos Vigilantes de Gorgona y un número de donantes independientes, CASA logro recaudar fondos para las cestas. La causa de las cestas también inspiró a un grupo de amigables jugadores de cartas a juntar el cambio en un ja