Just 2 weeks ago, our neighbors in Costa Rica were awakened by the horrific, frightening sound that lasted little more than one minute before it was over. When it was over, more than 20 of our neighbors were dead from giant landslide that destroyed nearly an entire neighborhood. Many more are still missing and presumed dead. I begin with this story to get your attention, and ask for your help. Please take a few minutes to read the email below...and help if you can. Almost monthly, Pat Sajak and Vannah White give away an incredible trip to Costa Rica to one lucky winner on the popular television series, Wheel of Fortune. Thoughts of palm-fringed beaches, towering waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, massive volcanoes with resorts that offer hot springs and decadent spa services immediately come to mind. It’s hard to believe that all of these incredible sights can be found inside a beautiful tiny Central American country, almost the same size as West Virginia.
While all of these amazing things about Costa Rica are true, there is another truth that is a reality for a growing number of people in Costa Rica. Poverty is still the most critical problem that affects children and teens in Costa Rica. In a country of only 4 million people, nearly one third (32.2%) of all people live in poverty. Nearly half of these are children. It is now estimated that nearly 500,000 children in Costa Rica live in poverty.
In one particular neighbourhood in the capital city of San Jose, more than 2
5,000 people live in a shantytown encamped along the edge of a small stream that reeks of raw sewage and is littered with trash and remnants of shattered lives. Here in the neighbourhood of Los Guido, families as with as many as 8 children live with a parent or sometimes alone inside tiny, cramped shacks made of scraps of tin, plastic and even cardboard. Children and adults alike sleep on bare dirt floors with just a scrap of cardboard separating them from the cold, damp ground below. Just steps away from these innocents, drug dealers sell their goods, and are constantly on the look-out for young girls, as small as 7-8 years of age to victimize as prostitutes to fuel their drug trade.Families fortunate enough to have a wage earning father or mother, often survive on less than $250.00 per month. Imagine for one minute the desperation of these families, living in constant squalor, afraid to leave their homes, and terrified of leaving their children home alone while they work. Imagine the heartbreak of telling your children that there isn’t enough food to feed everyone tonight...that some will go hungry.
As a father of two small children, it breaks my heart to visit this shanty town, especially during Christmas, and to know that many of these children will never know it is Christmas. With parents unable to afford even basic food provisions, many children wake up to discover that Christmas morning is the same as every other morning...little to eat and nothing to lift their spirits from the poverty they know so well.
Since 2007, The Goodness Company along with many others, has been working to bring a glimmer of hope to the poorest of the poor in Costa Rica. Over the past three years, we have helped Santa deliver toys to more than 1250 children in need. This year, we hope to raise enough money to purchase toys and gifts for more than 500 children in Costa Rica. The Goodness Company will donate toys for 250 children...to meet half of our goal. At a basic cost of almost $10.00 per child, we need to raise $2,500.00 to purchase the remaining 250 toys.
Can you help us? Can you spare $10.00 this Christmas to give a gift that will mean the world to a forgotten child in a world so far away from yours? Can you tell a friend and pass this message along to others asking for their help? Your gift of money, no matter how small will Make A Difference!
On Saturday, December 18, 2009, Santa Claus will come to Costa Rica with gifts for the children. Please do what you can to ensure that Santa has enough gifts for all of the children. Our goal is to have a gift for every child. We don’t have the heart to turn anyone away...but we need your help! If you can spare $10.00, you will change the life of a child in need. If you can give more...please do. if you own or work for a company, please consider making a larger corporate gift. The more we collect, the more children will receive gifts this Christmas. There are so many in need.
You may send your donation to:
The Goodness Company Christmas Fund
820 Baker Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54494
You may also make a payment by credit card via PayPal. You must become a member of PayPal to use this service. When paying with PayPal, please use the email address: patrick@goodnesscompany.com
We would be grateful if you would please send your donations to arrive before December 15. Please do not purchase or send toys. We cannot deliver them to Costa Rica in time for Christmas. All toys will be purchased in Costa Rica with the donations received. There are literally hundreds of thousands of children who need our help. The more we receive, the more we can help these children discover the wonder of love on Christmas.
Thank you, and may God bless you for your kindness and generosity.
Sincerely,
Patrick Goodness,
CEO The Goodness Company
715-423-1255
patrick@goodnesscompany.com
