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Update from Hekab Be Library, January 2010 |
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Happy New Year
New Year’s Message from Hekab Be As we enter a new year, we’d like to take the time to acknowledge and show our appreciation for all the many different ways that our library supporters and friends help out. From the small to the large, whether people bring us special items for the kids, make a donation of cash or used clothing, share an afternoon, week or month of their time volunteering with us, all these acts of generosity is what makes Hekab Be work! Without your thoughtfulness, your kind-heartedness, and your warmth of spirit, we would not be able to continue functioning. ~~We wish you the very best in 2010, and hope that all you have shared with the library is returned to you in the new year! We wouldn’t be able to do all the special things for the kids without your support! ~~ Library Receives Challenge Grant Once again, faithful library supporters have offered Hekab Be a challenge grant of $2250 U.S. Every dollar donated to Hekab Be between January 1–February 28, 2010 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2250. If we are successful in meeting this generous offer, we will have raised enough money to cover our operating expenses for 3 months. This will put us in good stead for a prosperous New Year! We realize people may be feeling financially drained after the holiday season, but hope that you will consider giving whatever you can, since every dollar you can give will count twice. Remember that your donations are tax-deductible. To make a donation to help us meet the challenge, go to our donation site: http://hekab-be-paypal.blogspot.com Remember we are a tax-exempt organization, so your donation is tax-deductible! January 6th is celebrated in Mexico to honor los Reyes Magos, or Three Wise Men, who followed the Star of Bethlehem to bring treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus. Until quite recently, this was the day when children in Mexico would receive gifts, whereas December 24th was solely dedicated to honoring the birth of Jesus. With the expansion of tourism in Quintana Roo, the North American traditions of Santa Claus and giving gifts on Christmas have become more prominent in the past decade. In order to help maintain Mexico’s unique cultural traditions, the library celebrated the Dia de Reyes with the children, by inaugurating a new tire swing for the kids to play on. We also broke two piñatas to help celebrate the occasion, after all what’s a party without a piñata? Children’s Wishes Came True at the Library Christmas Party Thanks to the many generous and kind-hearted library supporters who brought gifts or made donations, we were able to give out 62 personalized gifts to children who frequent the library on a regular basis, plus another 20 stuffed animals to kids who attended the party. The personalized gifts were based on each child's request for a gift they wished for. This is the first time we have attempted to match each child with a gift of their choice; it was a lot of work to organize, but it was totally worth it to see their happy faces! Special thanks to our Santa, Kevin McKee, to Turtle Bay Café which donated a Christmas cake, to Shelby Steele who organized a gift fundraiser with friends and family and brought us two suitcases of presents, and to the Gilgoff family, volunteers from Vancouver, who helped with preparations before, during and after the party. Library Hours of Operation We've adjusted our hours for the change in daylight savings time, so the kids are not walking home in the dark. Our schedule is the following: Monday–Friday 9:30–5:30 (closed for lunch from 1–2:30) Saturday 9–1 Closed Sunday Stay up to date with the latest library happenings by visiting our main blog: http://hekabbe.blogspot.com For information on how to contribute, visit our donation site: http://hekab-be-paypal.blogspot.com For information on our most recent needs, check out our wishlist: http://hbwishlist.blogspot.com Kids and library friends anxiously await the unveiling of the new toy on Día de los Reyes.  The kids can hardly wait for the tarp to be removed before rushing to get on the new swing!  Students from the University of Minnesota who helped put the swing together pose with the kids as they give the swing its first spin.  A little girl is pleased with her candy haul from the piñata.  |
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© Sac-Be International, Inc.
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