Cozumel and needy kids - clothing and school supplies

[Tinkerbells Magic]

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[Tinkerbells Magic]

Wouldn't you know, my computer sends my message without letting me even finish it! I had to run out to do errands, so I didn't notice until now. Ahhh! Well to explain The Cozumel Needy Kids Post....

Here is a chance for you or your kids to do something helpful WITHOUT SPENDING A PENNY! :)

There are very poor kids in Cozumel that need gently used clothing and school supplies. An organization, the Chrysalis Group, that was founded by Americans and is NON=PROFIT, would be GLAD to have a bag of used clothes, (you don't have to spend a penny on school supplies). (In our case, we live near a dollar store, so will pick some up there real cheap.) We are going on the August 17 cruise western (a gift from awesome friends!) and my girls came up with the idea of packing a suitcase full of clothes and extras for the kids and using the suitcase for souvenirs and shells and what not on the way back. IF others on this cruise are interested in donating too, I will ask if we can be met near the ship vs. their website request to have them drop the items off at a storefront that is very near the port. My husband is in a wheelchair so I will not be able to lug a whole lot extra myself. If you contact me, however, I will be glad to make the arrangements to minimize the inconvenience for other families that are being so generous.

If you would like to know more, you can access their site through www.travelnotes.cc. Look under cruiselines and you will see the Chrysalis Group of Cozumel. They are in fact listed on several Cozumel sites and well respected by local tourist operators. These American women volunteer their time and work hard to find the poorest of the poor and in many cases give their families their first chance at sending anyone to school in their lives. Many families are so poor that their children work to make money for food, rather than go to school. This is not by choice, but by necessity. Their child going to school, enables a poor family to break the cycle of poverty and helps breathes hope and a breath of fresh air into their difficult lives.

Wouldn't it be neat if every Disney cruise ship had ONE representative family that was able to coordinate at least a few suitcases of needed items every time they docked??? What an IMPACT the arrival of the big ship that plays "When you wish upon a star..." would have on these less fortunate island children! :)

My girls are excited and in fact it was their idea to post to this group in order to enlist others. They often feel overwhelmed with the way the world is these days and that they can't make a "real" difference, especially being small voices and persons. This is a way they CAN make a difference and feel proud and EFFECTIVE ... and for the most part, all by themselves.

Anyone wishing to join us in donating on the AUGUST 17th WESTERN cruise, please let me know and I will try and help in any way and make it as easy as possible re: donations. Bless you! :)

Sincerely, Liz B. (sorry, these bouncing things are just TOO COOL!)

WE CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!


:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc:bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: (You may need BONINE just to read this message!)

[Dave_from_Marietta]

That's a very interesting idea and certainly one worth persuing. I gotta admit, though, that my second thought on the matter (the first thought being "good idea") is to wonder whether there'd be any Customs ramifications in doing so? I know that the Bahamas charge a hefty duty on <i><b>anything</b></i> imported and left on the islands. Maybe that wouldn't be the case with Cozumel because of NAFTA.

[4crusinransiers]

My family and I travel quite often to very remote areas of Southern Mexico. On one trip when my now 11 yo DS was just 7
he wanted to give his toys to some of the kids in a remote village.
He is the reason now EVERYTIME we go down we take, lots of goodies,baby bottles, bandaids,medical supplys,toys ect.....most from the dollar store, outgrown clothes (tanks, tees and shorts) no need for heavy clothing. I once took a full suitcase to the red cross in Yucatan of just medical supplys. On one trip we took a suitcase of stuffed animals (used) to a small village near the coba ruins. We were pulled over by the federalis doing drug checks and they searched our toys, ripping one at the seams (checking for drugs?) we explained they were for the children and they let us through. I take used books to the library in Akumal, in both english and spanish and have never been questened about it from customs. Another place is the little yellow schoolhouse in Isla
Mujeres (the Island next to Cozumel)
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/school/home.htm
I know in the more touresty places the children get alot from United States familys. There are alot of familys who do this and it is a WONDERFUL feeilng!

[RellingTwin]

What a great idea. We will be going in Sept. and I will stop off at the dollar store before we go and pick up some stuff! It really is amazing what just a few dollars worth of stuff can do when you cut out the "middle men" and give directly to those who are in need!

[Karel]

I am a member of a Junior Women's Club, part of the international Women's Club Organization. We are always looking for new projects. Thanks for giving this information. I will look into it and see if there is some way we can help.

[inkkognito]

I would love to do this on the January 4th Western if anyone wants to join in. I was hoping to do something anyway, but I had no idea what. I'll never forget driving through town on the jeep excursion and seeing houses that I thought were abandoned...then realizing that people were living in them. And there were so many cute little children all waving at us as we drove past. I would love to bring something along for them. I will be sure to stock up before we go, as long as there are no customs issues.
If anyone else on the 1/4 cruise wants to join in, please email me at disneycruise@yahoo.com
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[wovenwonder]

The Generosity of DISers on the Community Board NEVER ceases to amaze me. It looks like some of this generosity is spilling over to the cruise boards. Great idea --- and thank you for sharing it with us.
:D

[Mama2sean]

We are on the August 17 Magic and want to participate if the customs concerns posted previously do not prevent us from doing so. Are there any other DIS'ers out there on this cruise who would like to join in? A small contribution of clothing/supplies, etc. from each of us could go a long way to help others. Anyone else interested? :)

[Fawn]

Barb...I'm in, too! I have so much stuff, and I'd love to have my girls organize it for the trip...it can be their special project!

Since we are going at Christmas, I may make it our annual Christmas charity. I have the kids earn money for something every year, and they can buy school supplies this time!

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Liz. We just received our documents today for the August 17th Magic cruise and will most certainly bring along clothing and school supplies for needy children. My DS9 started a clothing pile of donations and even began placing some of my clothing in it. I told him it was for needy children and he said, "But Daddy, don't you think there might be a few kids who are bigger?" I keep on learning from the dear lad. See you in Port!