BLANKETS, CUPCAKES AND FRIENDS

Sixth grade students from a local primary school, Manuel Dublan, visited La Gaviota on April 1, 2009 to get acquainted.

The new friends brought cupcakes and juice for refreshments and presented each of the Gaviota students with a fleece blanket that they had made.

The visiting students helped with physical therapy and classroom activities and have promised to return another time.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICE PROJECT

The volunteer periodontist that provided services in March 2009 brought his wife and two daughters.

His youngest daughter organized a service project as a part of her Bat Mitzvah and used some of the funds raised to purchase basic food boxes for La Gaviota families that are struggling financially.

She and her sister went to the local grocery store to purchase food supplies.

The supplies were packed in boxes…..

And delivered to the families.

The planning and effort that is a part of a service project that benefits the association and its individual families, like the one provided by this special young lady, are greatly appreciated.

NUTRITION PRESENTATION

Dr. Susan Kleiner, author of "The Good Mood Diet" and several other books, presented a discussion March 27, 2009 on nutrition and the simple changes that can be made in the diets of the families that attend La Gaviota.

She explained how nutrition affects growth, development and brain function in an easy to understand manner. The mothers and adult students that participated in the activity continue to comment on what they learned and are already applying some of her suggestions as they prepare the meals at school and in their homes.

(For more information about Dr. Kleiner and her books, please visit www.goodmooddiet.com)

MARCH 2009 DENTAL CLINIC

Three dentists and a periodontist from California and Washington provided a dental clinic on March 26 & 27, 2009. Almost 100 patients, that do not otherwise have the resources to receive good dental care, were provided with fillings, necessary extractions and instructions in dental hygiene.

It was the first trip for one dentist and an assistant but the other three dentists and one assistant were returning volunteers.

One young man was suffering from excessive staining on his teeth and was considering having them extracted. Through the intervention of one of the volunteer dentists, he left the clinic with a beautiful smile and white teeth.

The Friday clinic was devoted almost entirely to the Mennonite population. One volunteer speaks “Plautdietsch” and has worked with APNMI and the Mennonite population for over two years scheduling their appointments and translating. His wife also volunteers and helps with the cleaning, preparing food and serving the meals to the team.

The Mennonite children played happily in the therapy gym as they waited for their turn.

Family volunteer participation is encouraged and many times the dentists bring their spouses or children to help during the clinic; three family groups were part of the team. The periodontist brought his wife and two daughters and they gave valuable help sterilizing the instruments, running errands and providing other services as well. (Please see the articles on Nutrition and the Food Distribution Service Project).

One father and daughter team enjoyed spending time together as they worked, did some sight-seeing and traveled together.

Another of the dentists brought his daughter to assist him and his son-in-law served as a Spanish translator.

The dentist that organized the March 2009 team helps with clean-up at the end of the clinic.

The clinic was a great success and we look forward to another visit by the team in a year.

VISION CLINIC

See new information about our recent vision clinic in the Medical/Dental section posted in February 2009.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Sponsoring a student that attends the Gaviota makes it possible for him to continue to receive all the services offered through the association. You will be assigned a specific child and you may choose how much you want to be involved through periodic reports of the child’s progress, pictures, letters and/or e-mails.

The estimated cost for each child that attends the Gaviota is $140.00 U.S. per month and established donations provide approximately 1/3 of the funding for each child. Full sponsorships are $90.00 per month but partial sponsorships can also be arranged through deposits to Labor of Love Association’s Bank of America account. One-time donations are also gladly accepted.

Contact us for further information on how to sponsor one of these special children.

FUNDING

APNMI and La Gaviota are supported by donations from foundations and individuals interested in improving the lives of persons with disabilities and fund-raising activities. The Gaviota is registered as a private school and as such receives no government funds. The school does not charge tuition because the majority of the students come from families of very limited means. However, the families work together making tamales, holding bazaars and selling food at special community events to raise funds for the maintenance of the Center.

A tax-deductible receipt for donations made to the Labor of Love Association is available. Please contact us via e-mail for more detailed information on how to made your donation.