Spring is almost here...

Yesterday was such a nice day here in Vancouver... and I was watching the birds going around, really busy, building their nests, and I couldn't but think of all those people in Chile who lost their houses... if it only were that easy for them to rebuild...
For them, reality is quite different.  Whatever they try, it is a painful process.  I was talking to my niece yesterday, and she says Concepcion is not receiving any visible help from the government.  She is trying to fix her house, but construction material is so expensive now... prices have doubled or tripled... Winter is coming, and Concepcion is like here, in Vancouver, it doesn't rain... it pours...
Anyway, some coastal areas are already seeing some recovery... some small towns are already opening new schools, and some fishermen have already been able to recover their boats.  A lot of people are working together in any way they can to help the victims of the earthquake.
I am really touched by all those volunteers, long hours, no pay, only the satisfaction that they are doing their part...

For those of you who want to help, there are lots of ways of doing it:

This Saturday, March 27, 2010:  Trout Lake, 3350 Victoria Drive.  From 9am to 6pm:  Soccer games: $5 to play.  Children matches in the morning.  Afternoon for adults.  And you will also be able to buy EMPANADAS!!!  Yeah!!!

Also, this is happening in Vancouver, in April:

Special Presentation on CHILE

Fundraiser for the victims of the 20101 Earthquake
Friday, April 9 at 7:00 PM - Ferry Building Gallery
1414 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver, BC

Tuesday, April 13 at 7:30 PM - University of British Columbia
6138 Student Union Boulevard - Room 207-209, Vancouver, BC

"Join us for a special show on Chile, where the Central-South Region has been ravaged by a terrible earthquake and tsunami on February 27, 2010.
Peter Langer had just returned from an extensive journey through Chile in 2009/2010 and will update you about current conditions; an overview of the country, as well as talk about the tourism attractions of the country, which for the most part have not been affected by the tremors.
Admission is by donation and all profits will go to Canadian Medical Assistance Teams and tax receipt will issued for donations over $ 25.00
Hope to see you all at the shows
Best regards,

Peter Langer
Managing Director
Associated Media Group"

There is so much to rebuilt...

More opportunities to help in Vancouver.  I was listening to the radio today, and I heard that this coming Saturday, in Trout Lake, there is going to be fund raiser soccer games.  A full day of activities: children's games in the morning, and in the afternoon, games for adults.  There is going to be music, too... and empanadas, and many other things happening in order to raise money to help the victims of the Chilean Earthquake...
Come and join us at Trout Lake!

More ways to help...

So much help is still needed...! Lots of people in Chile are so commited to help those in need. Many young people are volunteering their time to help in any way they can... I also found this blog Desafio Levantemos Chile, and these people are doing an amazing job, trying to repair boats and creating schools! Good for them!

And here in Vancouver, there are ways of helping, too.
This is what is happening so far:
- The Chilean Cultural & Sporting Association of B. C. cordially invites you to a Fund Raiser Dinner for Chile Help Chile at Sehnor Rooster Portuguese Restaurant located at
850 Renfrew Street, Vancouver BC V5K 4B6
Ticket at $25.00 per person with Live Music by Jorge Hernandez & Salsa Tres on
Friday March 19th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
All proceeds from food will go directly towards the Earthquake Victims in Chile

-FRIED FISH & SALAD… Chilean Style
April 03, Sat. - Chilean Housing Coop. 3390 School Av.

- FIESTA LATINA… April 09, Fri. - Croatian Cultural Centre

- CULTURAL EVENT… April 24, sat. – Our lady of Sorrows Church . 555 Slocan

MORE INFO:
604-439-1414 LESLIE PANADERIA LATINA
604-515-1761 ANTONIO

Bingo at UBC...

The Chilean community at UBC cordially invites you to participate in an evening of Bingo, organized in order to help the people affected by the devastating earthquake in Chile.
The Bingo will take place on Sunday, March 14th, 2010, at the Commonsblock ( 2707 Tennis Crescent) between 5:30 and 9:30 pm.
Entrance fee is $20, which entitles you to play 6 games and win some prizes. You will also be able to buy things such as "brazo de reina", "queque", and all sort of goodies.
The money collected will go to the Chilean Red Cross.
Those interested in buying tickets can contact Ximena Carreño in Downtown, at 778-319-2912 or Solange Aravena, 5650 Yalta Place Acadia Park, UBC, at 604-221-6302.
Thank you for your participation.

Organizing Committee
Chilean Community at (VANCOUVER)

I just received this information...

MEDIA ADVISORY

Date:
March 11, 2010
To:
NEWSROOMS, TRAFFIC REPORTERS
SUBJECT:
Contributions for Chilean earthquake relief

SkyTrain customers will have the opportunity to contribute to relief efforts for the earthquake in Chile on Friday, March 12. Members of the Chilean community will be at selected stations, collecting donations to the Canadian Red Cross Chilean Earthquake Relief Fund during the morning rush hour and from 2-6pm.

Teams will be on-hand at the following stations: Waterfront, Burrard, Granville, Commercial-Broadway, Metrotown, King George and Lougheed Town Centre. Chilean musicians will also be performing at Metrotown in the afternoon.

The BC Rapid Transit Company and TransLink are pleased to support this effort to get aid to victims of the disaster.

Contact:
DREW SNIDER
Public Information Officer
(604) 803-3199
Or
JENNIFER SIDDON
Communications Liaison,
BC Rapid Transit Co.
(604) 788-0236

A prayer for Chile...

Lord, I would like to THANK YOU because today I woke up, and I knew where my loved ones were. Because my house is safe, and because today I am not crying because my children, my husband, my parents, my brother or my sister, need to be rescued from under a pile of debris or concrete...
THANK YOU because this morning I drank a glass of water, I saw my children sleeping safely in their rooms, or because this morning I am not planning a funeral...
THANK YOU because I am alive and have a voice to pray for the people in Chile...
Lord, I pray to you, the one who can make possible the impossible, the one who can transform the darkness into light... Please, give those mothers strength, open those streets so help can reach them, and they can have access to food and water, and doctors, nurses and medicine, everything they so badly need...
To all those that are grieving, give them peace, hope and courage to continue. Protect those children who lost their homes.
Here, we are really blessed!!!

New Figure... $24 thousand million pesos!!!