Last night, I attended a benefit art auction for the Santa Esperanza Children’s Home (Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C.) at the T Fuller Gallery in downtown Puerto Vallarta.
At the event, I met Sudy Coy (sudycoy@yahoo.com), one of the directors at the shelter. We had a great conversation about the shelter’s mission and giving something back to Vallarta. Sudy has such a passion for what the shelter is trying to accomplish and her passion is contagious. I quickly volunteered to help promote the shelter’s work through my blog.
I took the following mission statement from the shelter’s website so that you have a better understanding of the Shelter’s work. Please click on the link to the shelter to read more and to see pictures.
The REFUGIO INFANTIL SANTA ESPERANZA, (R.I.S.E.), is a NON-PROFIT shelter for babies and children under the age of 14 who have been turned over to R.I.S.E. by DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia), a Mexican government organization that is the legal representative for minors under the age of 14. DIF’S main objective is to reintegrate these children with their families, but this is not always possible. R.I.S.E. gives these children a safe and loving place to live because they have no other choice in their lives.
“Some” of the children are only here temporarily while their problems are resolved at home, but sadly, some have been in institutions most of their young lives. We have babies that have been abandoned; babies that were born in prison and babies that for some reason or another cannot be cared for, and are placed with us.
If your would like to help the shelter in any way please contact Sudy (sudycoy@yahoo.com).
The auction was a great success. Local galleries and artists donated pieces to sell. The most coveted work was done by local artist Rogelio Diaz. Nearly every piece that was donated was sold.
Here are a few pictures of the happy art buyers who got some great deals:
Sudy Coy is in the middle wearing a pink t-shirt and blue skirt.
More pictures on the next page.
Sudy Coy and Fernando Flores
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Great Job! I wonder if you could send me some bigger (dpi) copies of the pics? Keep it up!
Fernando