I know that yesterday was the first day of the Boquete Jazz and Blues festival. There was a festival of sorts yesterday afternoon in Parque de Cervantes, where no one was singing the blues.

Instead tears of joy were flowing and smiles were showing and words of praise were coming from all directions for the Chiriquí Angel. Literally everyone there was talking about Tom McCormack “un Ángel” that had changed their life.

The purpose of the meeting at the park was to take some photos of the beneficiaries of some of the recent limb prosthesis that Tom had provided. Tom plans to use some of the photos to show past donors and to provide more motivation for them to double their efforts.

Actually Tom did not just provide the prosthesis , because he had to modify each and every one the individual’s needs. You may remember the post I did at the Casa de Jubilados. Continue reading →

I just received an email from Tom McCormack. He will head back to the US in about two weeks.

He said that his current counts were 48 legs and 36 hands fitted at the cost to the individuals of $0.00.

When I lived and worked in the Washington D.C area, I remember one of my team members coming in one morning and telling of his previous evening’s trip home from work. If you have ever driven on the beltway in Washington DC, you know what a stressful place that is.

This was his story. He said on his way home his car overheated and died in the middle of traffic. He got out and was trying to push and maneuver his car to the right side of the road and out of traffic. Continue reading →

I received an invitation to join Trish and Brian Christofferson on their monthly round to deliver food assistance to some of the needy in the Potrerillos area. This activity is funded and sponsored by Buenos Vecinos de Boquete. Funding comes from concerned individuals like CC’s readership and Bid for Boquete.

I arrive at their house at 8:30 with camera in hand and batteries charged (mine and the camera’s).

There are certain activities that I like better than others and people helping people ranks at the top of my like list.

Four of us headed out Friday morning, Trish, Brian, myself and Nino, who is a Panamanian neighbor that insures that no communication gets lost with the clients. While Trish and Brian’s Spanish is better than mine, it is always good to be armed with one fluent in local culture and idiom.

We went in Brian’s 4×4. The families that are receiving these food donations live in areas that some sedans would never be able to go.

As a side note, I am sure you know that clicking on any photo will enlarge it.

Continue reading →

Posted at the request of Bid 4 Boquete. Record the date of the event.

Somos un equipo de jóvenes que como personas independientes a cualquier tipo de empresa, organización o institución queremos realizar un pequeño proyecto con el propósito de “Regalare una sonrisa a un niño en esta navidad” buscando en algunas barriadas las familias humildes y poder darles un pequeño obsequio a sus niños para estas fiestas de fin de año. Deseamos solicitar un un juguete nuevo para un niño o niña, de igual forma Aceptamos todo tipo de donaciones en apoyo a esta noble causa. ANTES DEL 22 DE DICIEMBRE
AGRADECEMOS CONTACTARNOS PARA COORDINAR LA LOGISTICA
Dejamos con ustedes nuestros números de celulares para cualquier contacto e información que deseen al respecto. Oscar Vásquez 66391931 y Jorge Serrano64905405. Puede hacernos llegar los juguetes por flete chavales, o Donaldo guerra

Nos despedimos esperando contar con su valioso apoyo y colaboración, a la vez deseándole mucha prosperidad y bendiciones en todas sus actividades.

I Just received the following email from Tom McCormack. If you are not familiar with Tom’s containers, Container #8 Unload can be seen HERE.

Hi Don,

With a sigh of relief the containers are on the way. The plan is to unload tomorrow morning at 8 am in the gym (known as Denie Artes) in Pedregal. Same place as before. We have 3–40 footers coming so every hand we can muster is important.

Thanks to those that can help.
T

Previous directions:

8 blocks past the entrance to the airport. Turn left, then 2 blocks.

More directions in the first comment below.

I have had readers ask about Tom McCormack’s next container shipments. Well this email says it is getting close. Those that want to help in the unloading can start getting ready.

Hi Don,
I’m arriving David Monday @ 5pm.

3-40 ft containers arriving Colon Tuesday 23.

Arrive David ASAP. Exact time and date to follow.

We’ll be unloading in the same place as before in Pedregal.
Hast pronto,
Tom

I received a request to post the following.

The sixth year of Chiriqui’s biggest charity fundraiser, Bid 4 Boquete, has kicked off with a volunteer meeting in September. Volunteers representing the Panamanian, expat, and indigenous populations once again are banding together to raise money to support charitable and civic organizations in the greater Boquete area. The two-day event, supported by Major Sponsor Banco General, is scheduled for February 9-10, 2013. Corporate sponsors to date are Casa Solution and Chiriqui Storage. Continue reading →

I just received the following email from my friend Tom McCormack related to his prothesis project. You can search Chiriquí Chatter for “Tom McCormack” to see some other articles I have posted.

Hi Don,
Someday these legs will walk again.
Tom

As you can see from Jesse’s email, Boquete is starting a literacy program and needing students and volunteers. This is a very worthwhile program and I have always supported the Peace Corps efforts in Panama.

Hi Don Ray,

My name is Jesse Davis and I work as a Peace Corps Response volunteer at the Boquete Library. We met at the presentation of Reuben Laschman here in the library a few weeks ago. We’re getting ready to start a new literacy program at the library in coordination with the group Loco Por Leer, and I was hoping to use Chiriquí Chatter to help promote it, as well as to help us find more students and volunteers. Below I’ve included a brief write up of the event, and I’ve also attached various PDF’s with more information.

I’m not sure what your process is for posting things on Chiriquí Chatter, but my counterparts and I would be very appreciative if you were to help us promote this new program. I know a lot of people here in Boquete read Chiriquí Chatter, so I’m sure it would help us greatly. This is the first time we’ve attempted a program like this, so we’re not sure what response to expect.

Thanks again for all of your help, and I look forward to seeing you back in the library soon.

Cheers,

Jesse Davis

_____________________________

Crazy About Reading

 

The Boquete Library, in coordination with Loco Por Leer, will be offering a six-week reading program for English-speaking students that will be focused on improving literacy and reading comprehension of students aged 7-12 in a fun and supportive environment. Students will read, write, listen, speak, and play educational games in order to improve their skills under the supervision of knowledgeable and experienced instructors.

Continue reading →