Author Archives: Susan

Silent Auction

We have several items donated for the Silent Auction on Oct 17th that have aroused the interest of some our regular benefactors who will be not be in San Felipe at the time of the auction.

I have decided to list those items on here on our web page   and allow bids in absencia to anyone who is willing to pay for an item if won via Paypal on the day of the auction.

The auction items will be posted here by 2:00 p.m Sunday, October 14, 2012.  If you wish to bid on an item please contact one of the VSL event coordinators at vsl.vwl@gmail.com and tell them the item and maximum bid you are willing to pay for the item.  A representative will be assigned to place your starting bid and increase the bid at the minimum increment required until either the bidding is closed or your maximum bid is reach.

Distance bidding will be closed on Tuesday at midnight the day before the live auction.  Identical bids will be submitted in the order received (date & time of email or message).

Item #62 Original Oil Painting by Luis Cogley 11″x 14″ Starting bid set by artisit at $200

Item #63 Original Oil Painting by Luis Cogley 16″ x 20″ Starting bid set by artist at $350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 piece silver/crystal serving set. Value $150 Starting bid $20

 

72 piece (8place setting) & serving pieces Mikasa Earthen Ware China. Valued at $1000. Starting bid $200

Urgent Supply Needs – Ensure and Diapers!

Thanks to an anonymous donor and the helping hands of several of our good friends in getting it purchased and transported, VSL now has a “new” truck to deliver food and water to the elderly and disabled patrons in San Felipe and an air conditioner has been installed in one side of the thrift store.  There is still enough money in the bank to buy food and water for the coming month (these funds are from fund raisers last season and were not used for either purchase).

Coming Event – Harvest Fashion & Wine Fest

As usual, we will be counting on our October fund-raiser, the Harvest Fashion and Wine Fest, to replenish our depleted coffers.  If you would like to help with this event by donating items for the silent auction, modeling in the fashion show or lending a hand with ticket sales, please contact us at VSL-VWL@gmail.com.  The menu and final details have not been settled yet but do keep October 17th open on your calendars, you won’t be sorry.

Supplies Still Needed – Ongoing and Urgent

We still need help buying essential  supplies like Ensure or Pediasure and diapers for the children with severe disabilities.    We currently have about twelve families that look to us to help with these items and are sometimes forced to seek assistance for travel expenses to and from doctor appointments in Mexicali, Tijuana or other distant cities.  This month we had to turn away some seeking assistance for help due to our limited resources.  This hurts our hearts.  How do you tell a mother who’s child needs to see an orthopedist or neurologist that there just isn’t money for gas to get there?  How do you tell a parent caring for a wheel chair bound child there is no money for diapers or Pediasure?

Shoppers Needed

We don’t know how, so we come to you are faithful supporters and again petition your help.  Please think of VSL’s kids when you make that shopping trip to Costco or Walmart and pick up a case or two of diapers* or Pediasure or Ensure* and drop them by the thrift store when you go to town.  These things are nearly double the cost in San Felipe.  If you are financially blessed and can afford an extra one-time or monthly donation specifically for the children’s travel or care needs, you can set up either through Paypal, here on our website.  You can mark it “for the children” or for a specific child you want.

Why Not Organic?

We have had several people suggest we should promote a more organic solution instead of liquid food supplements.  We do support that option ideally and we are working on getting support for the development of the community gardens to work in that direction but at the present time we are working with people who may or may not have running water, electricity or refrigeration and food processors and blenders are not options.  We do the best we can with what we can.  In the meantime, if you have a lot you would be interested in dedicating to a garden or expertise in that realm and would like to help get a community garden going, please let us know.

If you can see it in your heart to help, our sincerest thanks.

*diapers are needed in size 6, medium adult and extra large adult
most of the children seem to prefer Vanilla or Strawberry flavors

** If you are going to the States and are willing to pick up supplies but can not afford to purchase them on behalf of the food bank, please email VSL-VWL@gmail.com and we will strive to arrange funds for the purchase.

 

Summer in San Felipe – Status Report and Coming Events

Hot and humid.

That about sums it up.  San Felipe is well known as a haven for many snowbirds who flea the frigid temperatures of their homelands in the winter months and bask on the temperate shores of the Sea of Cortez but the summer months find most of them have fled back to to cooler climates.

Food Distribution Continues – Need for Water Increases

Not all have this opportunity though.  For the full-time San Felipe residents, the summer months are not avoidable, they are just a reality to be endured and survived and for some, survival depends on the helping hands extended by others.  The VSL food bank is just one of the organizations who strive to help, but the rivers and streams aren’t the only things that dry up or are reduced to a trickle in the summer months.  Donations are diminished too as many of our donors are part-time residents also.

Seasonal Events Raise Funds to Carry On the Work

During the summer months sales at the VSL thrift store are sometimes reduced to mere pennies a day.  Yet, the need for food and water distribution goes on and more families in need come in each week.  We are grateful that this summer we have been able to continue to purchase food and provide necessary assistance for the families with disabled children because this year our two fund-raising events allowed us to put aside enough monies to carry us through the summer months.  As tempting as it was to use those monies to purchase a new (used) delivery vehicle or A/C for the segundo, the first and foremost priority was to have funds for food and nutritional supplements for the children so those “extras” have been put on the wish list but will not be purchased from regular donations.

Additional Needs – Affordable Transportation & Air Conditioning

The need for a truck to deliver food and water in the Arroyo is an ongoing concern.  We have had several possibilities but to date have not found a suitable solution.  What we need is a 3/4 ton vehicle with automatic transmission and preferably four wheel drive.  An Toyota V-6 1 ton dually would be ideal.  Our research has found that a vehicle like this will cost $4500 to $5000, although there was one that sold for $2900 within a day of hitting Craig’s List.  This need has been submitted as our special challenge on John and Rachel’s Baja Walk site but to date we have not received any funds for this purchase.  If you would like to help or you know of an organization looking for a special project, read more here.  We would also like to be able to install air conditioning in the thrift store.  This would not make food packing during the summer months more bearable but might also draw in more shoppers.

Need Help Planning and Organizing Coming Events

As we watch the bank balance disappear we are reminded that if we are going to have funds for next summer we need to planning for NOW for the next event.  The date has been set for October 17th.  The location is again the Pavilion.  The venue will be a combination fashion show with the addition of the tequila and wine distributors’ booths providing a delectable tasting experience as they did last spring.

What is missing is people to help organize the event.  A family emergency has required that I (Susan) spend the summer at my daughter’s in Northern California so I am dependent on the kindness of strangers (and friends) to jump in and fill the gap.  We need someone to take the lead in coordinating the event who can work with Cesar from the Pavilion and Carole from One of a Kind Fashions and the spirit vendors to make this event happen.  A flyer needs to be put together and printed and along with tickets distributed.  Contributions for the silent auction need to be procured, inventoried and supplies and helpers for the day of the event organized.  I won’t be back in town until mid to late September and that is too late to effectively put an event together.

Community Garden Project

There have been many discussions and emails about the possibility of starting a community garden somewhere in San Felipe to benefit the food bank.  My thoughts are that we would need to have a lot in the Los Arcos or a nearby neighborhood that is fenced and has water service connected.  We would likely have to find containers or materials to build containers for planting and bring in soil and amendments for the soil.  That is the extent of my expertise.  Rita Monares will be calling together those interested in working on this project when she returns in August.  Fall is the idea time to start planting in San Felipe so if you have land or want to lend a helping hand with the organization please let us know.

So how about it?  Are you looking for a worthwhile project to fill your summer days?

If yes, please write me (Susan Young) at vsl.vwl@gmail.com or send a message on Facebook.