If you’ve read my post in and around June 2nd, you will have realized I turned 39 this year and am 21 years post high school graduation. I had no idea that in my 39th year I would be touched by a very prolific principal I had through the spirit of giving and am once again, in wonder at the one degree of separation in this world.
Life On Purpose Network has a wonderful online video called Casa Guatamala which tells the story of an orphanage that runs along the banks of Rio Dulce, literally meaning ’sweet river’, in Guatamala. It is a beautiful orphanage that supports children who have either lost parents or been abandoned due to deformities or neglect.
Mr. Fritz, who filmed the piece and presented it to LOPN, happens to be one of my best friend’s father. Thus, why I call him ‘Mr. Fritz’; I still feel like that ten year old little girl sitting in his kitchen playing Trivial Pursuit and eating chocolate fondue with Barb. Our editor, Eric, wrapped the footage into a wonderful story and at the end of the video when I watched it, I saw that credits were given to ‘Bob Carkner’. It wasn’t up until then I put two and two together, Mr. Carkner was my high school principal and I remember during school we would have these fundraisers for a little boy named ‘Juan’.
It was in that moment I realized that Casa Guatamala was the orphanage my high school supported for so many years and ‘Juan’ happened to be one of the children who benefited from that support. For me, growing up, it was my first introduction to a global outreach initiative other than the commercials I saw on television for World Hunger. It directly impacted me in so many ways and embed an awareness of unspoken organizations that exist in rural developing worlds. It is no wonder I am an advocate of grassroots organizations…thank you, Mr. Carkner!
One large supporter of Casa Guatamala is Lennox McNeely. Though I have never met Mr. McNeely himself, it is well known that he has been one of the biggest financial supporters of Casa. He was recently profiled in an article in the Globe and Mail talking about Casa Guatamala and how through his experience as an international investment counselor, he was brought to his knees with guilt and decided to intentionally support a global initiative like Casa Guatamala.
Mr. McNeely has donated in total $600,000 throughout the years; in particular in 1999 when the orphanage was destroyed by an earthquake.
With the current economic downturn, Casa Guatamala is at risk of closing down entirely if it doesn’t receive continued support. It has already closed a shelter for infants. Mr. McNeely has pledged to matchgive up to $40,000US to all donations coming in during the month of July.
As one of the cause driven videos on LOPN, we would like to create an outreach for support so that Mr. McNeely does indeed have to cough up that $40,000 cap and through his support in combination with all of us, we can ensure Casa Guatamala continues to support the 250 children under its roof, and introduce the spirit of giving to yet another generation of high school students.
Please join myself, and Pinc, in supporting this very worth while cause…by going to Casa Guatamala and connect or donate for this very important global grassroots organization.
Through service,
