Monday, June 29, 2015

Raising Money for Charity was part of this years Canada Day Celebration

Stock-Canada Flag Blowing1For the past five years, we celebrate Canada’s birthday at Uncle Chuck and Aunt Michelle’s property. Friends and family come from as far away as Newfoundland and park their trailers on their property for a weekend of fun. Since we live so close, we go over for the day and this Saturday was the big event.

In past years, I spend the day following The Kids around and taking lots of pictures. This year, I didn’t get too many pictures because I brought all my Mexican gear to sell and that took up a fair amount of my time. The Kids are old enough to keep themselves busy and they spent the day swimming, playing soccer, frisbee, waving flags and playing in their sprinkler ball (Win one for yourself from Giant Tiger!) to name a few of the activities. They didn’t mind giving up some time with me given the cause. Cause?

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If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can read about Tzite Proteccion Animal here. In a nutshell, we are one of the founding members of a humane society* for animals in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico called “Tzite Proteccion Animal”. Since 2006, I’ve been purchasing local products made by Mexicans and selling them to Canadians. 100% of the profits go back to support Animals in Need. When we return to Mexico, we participate in sterilization clinics (and often rescue an animal or two) and most of this is funded by our friends in Canada. A BIG thanks to each and every person that helps out. Last year we sterilized four animals!

Consider the fact that in six short years, one female dog and her offspring can give birth to 67,000 puppies. In seven years, one cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens.**

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Colourful Hammocks Mexico

The main dinner is a pot luck affair. This year, the meat was 60 chickens cooked over an open fire. Big thanks to Uncle Mike and Uncle Chuck for sponsoring the feast as well as cooking it! Everyone else is responsible for bringing salads, rolls, condiments, desserts and everything else needed for a huge feast. Even with all the people, there’s always enough food to go around.

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When we got home from the party (around 11pm), I asked The Kids “What’s your favourite part of the day” (as I’ve done every night since 2012).

Max responded with “The Glow Sticks”. Last year we brought glow in the dark glasses for all the kids and this year, other people followed suit. The Kids were decked out in necklaces, sticks, glasses and bracelets. It definitely made it easier to keep track of them in the pitch dark. Here they are all set up and ready for the fireworks (three hours early!).

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Artemis said that her favourite part was “Painting Peoples Nails”. Whenever we go anywhere, The Kids pack a bag of stuff that they want to play with (for inpromptu parties, we keep a bag of stuff in the van). Artemis chose to bring a knapsack full of nail polish (yes, she has that many as she was gifted 25 by the daughter of a friend). I suggested that she just bring 1 or 2 because there’s usually only 1 or 2 other young girls and they can only paint their nails once. But, she had different plans. At some point during the day, she set up a “Shop”. Not to be confused with a “Store” because she made it very clear that she wasn’t selling anything. Instead, she was offering FREE nail painting services.

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Based on the lineup that she had to get into her Shop, I’m pretty sure that every single Man, Woman and Child (boys and girls included) got their nails and/or toes painted. It totally made her day and is a reminder of how important friends and family are in The Kids lives and happiness.

And so ends another great Canada Day event. The Kids have already packed their bags for next year.

Do You Have Plans for Canada Day?

* I use the term “humane society” to imply action and not because we are associated with the official association.
** Statistics obtained from Tip of Tex Rescue

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16 thoughts on “Raising Money for Charity was part of this years Canada Day Celebration”

    1. Sarah Post author

      Dear Ashley,

      She was so proud. I was a bit worried that she wouldn’t get any business as she didn’t have a sign posted (she has since made one) and not everyone wants their nails painted. However, she let everyone that passed know about her services and they were all so supportive. It was such a successful day on so many fronts.

      Besos Sarah.
      Sarah recently posted…Get Everything you Need for Canada Day at Giant Tiger! CAN, 7/13 #GTCanadaProud My Profile

      Reply ↓
    1. Sarah Post author

      Dear Carla,

      I’ve been meaning to post pictures of our Mexican products for awhile but there are hundreds of items and they’re all unique so I haven’t figured out how to do it yet. We have; large shawls, medium shawls, scarves, ponchos, blankets, tapistries, sweatshirts (different kids), blouse, shirts, pants, skirts, hats, beanies, winter wool hats, straw hats, leather hats, wool bags, fabric bags, big and small leather bags, hammocks, fabric and leather braceets, wooden kids toys, records, small guitars, tons of different jewellery, leg warmers, table runners, place settings, the list goes on and most come in 5-10 different colours. The stock takes up the entire back of my van. Let me know if anything catches your eye or if you want anything in particular. AlwaysARedhead had something in mind so I took some pictures in the market and bought it for her.

      Thanks for the offer, I’ll let Artemis know so that she can put you into her black schedule book (you know she has one…).

      Besos Sarah
      Sarah recently posted…Get Everything you Need for Canada Day at Giant Tiger! CAN, 7/13 #GTCanadaProud My Profile

      Reply ↓
  8. KD

    You have quite the budding entrepreneur or activist!

    We went for a walk at a nearby park and my daughter got her face painted. I also made matching Canada Day skirts for my daughter and I to wear.

    Reply ↓

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