Posted on December 21st, 2022
 Amistad Canada donors stepped up again in 2022 Mark O’Neill, President As we approach the end of what has been a difficult year for charities everywhere, I’m very pleased to report that Amistad Canada (AC) supporters have more than risen to the challenge. As of November 30, you had donated $406,000, significantly more than the $379,000 on the same date last year. Here’s hoping the trend continues; the total to beat is $512,000. It was also a good year for friend-raising as we began working with volunteers and staff from our newest NGO Project Partners, Tepoz Rosa and Caminos de Agua. And, for the first time, AC hosted an event designed to connect with Mexican-Canadians and Mexicans living in Toronto. Read about it HERE and watch for similar gatherings in other cities in 2023. Supporters of La Biblioteca Public de SMA and Patronato Pro Niños will be happy to know AC has extended those Partnerships for another three years. One change to the AC-Biblioteca Project: It will soon include scholarships for students who need support to finish high school. Finally, as that year-end donation deadline looms, AC is now offering a new way to give, an online platform called Zeffy.com. It’s similar to CanadaHelps except that you decide how much, if anything, to pay for the service provided. (Another advantage is Zeffy’s automatic reporting functions that should lower AC bookkeeping costs.) Check it out HERE. As with any new software, there have been a few bumps so please let us know right away if there’s a problem. Again, on behalf of Amistad Canada, our fourteen Partner NGOs and the Mexican clients who benefit from your generous and continuing support, Muchisimas gracias y…  COMING EVENTS:  • Thursday, December 22: La Biblioteca Publica de SMA hosts a FREE Posada Navideña. 5-7pm in the courtyard. There will be ponche, a concert by guitar students at 5:30 (part of the Amistad Canada Canadian Educational Project), a seasonal singalong and at 6:30… las piñatas! • Thursday January 12: An opportunity for La Catalina Foundation sponsors, scholarship students and their families to meet at an Open House. 4-6pm at LCF, Playa Dorada No. 199, La Manzanilla. Anyone who wants to find out more about sponsoring a student is invited to drop by. • Saturday, January 14: Opera San Miguel presents a Baroque Concert at Agrícola Santa Amalia, Comonfort, Guanajuato. 6pm. Music by Monteverdi, Handel and (Pink Floyd guitarist) David Gilbour. Information will be posted HERE.  • Sunday, January 22: 5k Fit-Friendly-Fun Run in Huatulco to benefit Un Nuevo Amanecer. 250 pesos for adults, 100 for niños. Starts from Parque Hundido de Chahué at 7:30am. Register through VamosHuatulco on Facebook or call 958-122-2940. • Wednesday, January 25: The second annual EEESMA–School for the Deaf Robert Burns Supper, 6pm at The Restaurant, Sollano 16, SMA. Roast beef, haggis, Burns poetry & toasts, bagpipes, drums, wine and, of course, wee drams of whisky. More information HERE. • Saturday, January 28: Opera San Miguel‘s 8th annual Mexico–Canada Concert. 2pm, Featuring mezzo-soprano Caroline Gélinas and tenor Andrés Carrillo. Venue to be confirmed. Information will be posted HERE.  • Saturday, January 28: Programa Pro Niños Incapacitados presents Get Back, a tribute to The Beatles famous rooftop concert, by one of Lakeside’s most popular bands, The Rooftop Romeos.Only 100 seats at El Bar Co. Tickets 250 pesos. More information HERE.  Wednesday, February 1: Un Nuevo Amanecer presents Blues on the Beach with Sarah Smith. Proceeds support UNA programs to help students integrate into the state school system and develop job skills to ensure their independence and personal fulfillment. More information on Facebook or by emailing HERE. • Friday & Saturday, February 3 & 4: A Comedy Benefit for Mujeres en Cambio at Posada de la Aldea, SMA. Tickets 200 pesos. Information will be posted HERE. • February 4–11: La Catalina Foundation online auction. Items include hotel stays, restaurant certificates, art, jewelry, health & wellness gift certificates. More information will be posted HERE. • Saturday, February 18: La Catalina Foundation presents Noche de las Estrellas/A Night Under the Stars, 5:30-9:30pm in el jardin. Tickets are 200 pesos and include dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, a full evening of entertainment and a silent auction bidding number. For sale in front of the church from 9–11:30am on February 10 & 17. More information will be posted HERE. • Monday, February 20: Enrique de Allende headlines a benefit concert for Mujeres en Cambio at Instituto Allende, SMA. Tickets will be available through Boleto City. • Saturday, March 4: Opera San Miguel‘s 14th annual Concurso Grand Finale Concert. 8pm at Angela Peralta Theatre, SMA. More information will be posted HERE.  • Wednesday, March 8: Mujeres en Cambio hosts an International Womens Day Lunch, location TBA. Watch for information HERE. * Saturday, March 25: The Opera San Miguel Concurso Winners Concert. Time & venue to be confirmed HERE. • March 30–April 6: Feed the Hungry SMA presents March Magic: Travel with a Cause to the Heart of Mexico. Email HERE for information. Remember, the deadline for making 2022 tax-deductible donations is midnight on December 31st. Remember, the deadline for making 2022 tax-deductible donations is midnight on December 31st. Charitable gifts may be made in your own name or in honour or memory of someone else. www.AmistadCanada.org/donate   |
