2015 PeruTops Kids' Christmas Fund & Evento

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:

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 [email protected] -- 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.
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In all cases, I will report receipt of your donation, and post the bank receipt when I deposit the money.

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.
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Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from some of you.

 

Hi. RT here.

I was on a cruise over the weekend -- just checking in.

Yes, the money has arrived. I will deposit it when I get there in two weeks.

Thanks, Juan - you've always been a great supporter of the kids' fund!

 

RT here. With an update.

I have so far collected $300 -- $100 each from Juan (above), my mother, and one of the women at my office.

I will deposit this money, plus my donation, plus whatever else I collect on Monday, the 30th.

Speaking of 'whatever else I collect,' that's up to you. Drop me a line or something... anything you can come up with will go right to the kids!

 

LATEST UPDATE:

I am up to US$545 in my hot little hands, that includes my donation. I will give the breakdown when I make the deposit next Monday. Much of it is from non-foristas, but I received $50 from Tactalista, a guy I met in Lima years ago. He doesn't post much around here, but he lurks, and came through with some cash.

Also, I have been promised that some deposits will soon be made by people living in Peru -- I will update those as well when and if they happen.

If you want to donate to the kids fund, drop me a line. If you scroll up, I highlight the many ways you can contribute. Thanks!

 

RT here. With excellent news.

My amiga Sandra (some of you might know her), sent me a message this evening that she did a transfer of 300 soles to the bank account for the Kids' party. She said that she will send me the transfer confirmation number tomorrow. I already posted about it in the main thread in the Spanish forum, and that's the first money to come across from gringo-land here. Additionally, she also plans to join us on December 20 to help at the party.

I've got cash with me that I will deposit on Monday, but if you want to contribute, there's still plenty of time. Drop me a line, or scroll up and read up on what you can do to help.

 

Here is a copy of the email confirmation of Sandra's donation. Click to enlarge.



After I make the bank deposits of the cash collected on Monday, I will post those receipts as well.

Write me if you want instructions on how to donate. Thanks.

 

One of my Peruvian friends who has a heart much bigger than his need for glory deposited 170 soles (about US $50)into the account for the kids' fund today. Here is his receipt (click to enlarge):



Thank you, amigo Anonymous. If you want to get in on the fun, drop me a message - I will fill you in on how you can help.

 

Here is Juan Alimana's 100 Dollar (335 Soles) donation. Thank you, Juan -- you're the best.

I will get the rest of the money in the bank tomorrow.



If you want to help (and have me call YOU 'The Best') send me a message to find out how. Or just scroll up in this thread.

 

RT here. I just deposited a total of 2,145 Soles. Here's the breakdown:

My Friend Ed: 650 Soles (about $195)
Me: 335 Soles ($100)
My Mother: 335 Soles ($100)
My Friend Rosa: 335 Soles ($100)
Tactilista: 170 Soles ($50)
My Friends Lonnise, Blanca, Lois, Alicia and David: 320 Soles ($95)

Hopefully, more of you are ready to write me and set up sending over your donation! Click to enlarge.

 

I received another US$50 yesterday.

My Friend Denise... $25
My Friends Vivian & Charlie $25

170 Soles total for this deposit.

 

I had dinner and played blackjack with the lovely Deli last night. When we cashed out our chips, she handed me 50 soles and told me to give this to the kids. Thanks, Dely!

 

RT here.

I have received another $125 from a couple of friends in the USA. I will deposit it on Friday and post the receipts.

If you want to help, go ahead -- just write me, and we can coordinate your donation!

Thanks.

 

Nice to hear (or read in this case) of Dely. Great kid. and has a golden hearth too.

 

Here's another $350 from my friends Joe Robert ($100), Leslie & Larry ($100), Jodi & Brian ($50), Kathy ($50), Kieth ($25) and Debbie ($25). Click to enlarge.

We've collected a lot, but could use more. Just drop me a note if you want to help, or if you want to come with us on December 20.

 

OK, RT here. Just woke up.

We had a great time yesterday, possibly a better time than the kids. Here's a couple of photos to tide you guys over until I put together the whole bunch. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped, and to all who contributed. Click to enlarge.