The city of Salinas is quite small, a population of only 50,000+
with a total of 250,000+ including the surrounding cities of
La Libertad, Ballanita & Santa Elena. The population of expats,
mostly concentrated in Salinas is also quite small though
I can’t find any statistics. I’m thinking maybe 250 to 350
total for the permanent ones- just a guess on my part.
But that said, this population of expats and their Ecuadorian
friends has made a great impact on the local population
with their volunteer and fundraising efforts every year
since we arrived almost 5 years ago.
This year is no different with many inspiring happenings.
I would like to tell you about some of these efforts that
have happened during the past few months.
At Christmas we had many good deeds done but the
Children’s Christmas Party at Aloha2 restaurant was
by far the best and benefited the most.
This was organized by one of our gringas, Dee,
with help from many other residents.
Local children and their parents were invited from all over
Salinas to attend the festivities which included food,
presents, Papa Noel, games, face painting etc.
Each child (and parent)was sponsored by our very generous
donors .
donors .
On December 18th , the doors opened at the restaurant
Aloha2 to welcome 194+ children and their parents.
Lots of face painting
And dancing
Lots of food (hamburgers & hot dogs) and popcorn
And of course presents & Papa Noel
(each family received a photo)
(each family received a photo)
Next was a Fundraiser organized by my dear friend, Connie,
to raise money for one of her students, Christopher,
attending University in Guayaquil who needed safe housing.
This time, we decided on a 60’s Music & Dance party! Woohoo
Many people were involved in the planning- food, music,
Silent Auction, games, 50/50 draw. We started our planning
in early December and on January 23 the dance was held
(again) at Aloha2 bar, Restaurant & Event location.
We had sold almost 200 tickets and the crowd was awesome.
Many people dressed up in their 60’s clothes
(or reasonably similar LOL).
(or reasonably similar LOL).
The food- chicken, mashed potatoes,gravy & salad- was wonderful.
A game entered by many was a board showing
your 60’s photo
your 60’s photo
& another showing a recent photo.
The game was to match the people to their older photo.
Everyone, well almost, joined in the dancing to
the ever popular 60’s tunes.
the ever popular 60’s tunes.
On final count, enough money was raised to keep Christopher
in safe housing close to the university for a long time.
Now with the extra time no longer required for travelling
to and from classes, he can get a part-time job to help
with further expenses- a great success story!
Next event, two gringas, Dee and Jean, decided
to help less fortunate children with required school
supplies. Though Public School in Ecuador is free
and children are encouraged to attend, parents are
responsible for providing the Paper, books, pencils
etc often at a very prohibitive cost for poor families.
to help less fortunate children with required school
supplies. Though Public School in Ecuador is free
and children are encouraged to attend, parents are
responsible for providing the Paper, books, pencils
etc often at a very prohibitive cost for poor families.
They had decided to try to help 200 children with
approximately $30 per child of supplies- a very tall order!
approximately $30 per child of supplies- a very tall order!
When simply asking for donations did not produce
sufficient response, the decision was made to hold
yet another Fundraiser dance-
sufficient response, the decision was made to hold
yet another Fundraiser dance-
this time a 50’s sock Hop, and again at Aloha2 on March 11th.
Again many other women helped with ideas, advertising and
decorating and again donations were sought for prizes etc.
You would think the 3rd big do requiring funds from
our Salinas peeps in a less than 4 month period would
be a bust but not so! The gringo population and their
Ecuadorian friends love a party
our Salinas peeps in a less than 4 month period would
be a bust but not so! The gringo population and their
Ecuadorian friends love a party
and this event was as well attended as the previous.
Again great food and dancing.
The Griungas who made the event happen
And some awesome prizes and auction items including an
afternoon sail in a 45’ sailboat!
afternoon sail in a 45’ sailboat!
And last but definitely not least, we get to the HKIE
(Helping Kids in Ecuador)
(Helping Kids in Ecuador)
Fundraiser which was held March 19th in the beautiful home
of Will & Peggy (two of the founding members of HKIE along
with Tod & Mary).
Tickets were sold for 200 people. Bertie, a wonderful chef
and owner of two of Salinas’ favorite restaurants was
supplying the dinner. Many prizes including booze,
paintings, B&B stays, massages, jewellery, bagels etc
were up for bids in an excellent Silent Auction.
donated two afternoon Sailing trips for the live auction.
Enormous tents were set up to cover dining tables and seating
for the 200 participants. A cash bar was available and
James & Amanda supplied the DJ tunes. And the food!
Lots and so excellent- thank you, Bertie.
The evening was highly successful with over $11,000 raised
and hopefully many more children will receive needed
operations here in Ecuador.
So you probably have the idea that a bunch of saints live here
in Salinas. LOL definitely not so. We have the usual
gripping of retirees with too little to do, FB wars (or battles),
and personal likes and dislikes. I affectionately call it
‘As Salinas Turns’ ! But when the need arises and
the local population (or one of our own) needs help,
we all seem to pull together and make it happen.
