The slabs down- the trusses are up- We're Ready to Build!
Greetings!
A great day at Siempre Para Los Ninos Wednesday. Ken had a crew with him that worked from morning 'til late afternoon taking care of all the final preparations for Memorial Day Weekend. The slab is beautiful, the big heavy trusses have been hoisted and secured, the showers are in place and the stairway set... now it's time for us to build a two story home for 16 more kids.
In the background of the photo the "fence" that our neighbors have built on our property is clearly visible. We've told them if they remove the fence and move all the junk they've put on our property, we'll build a new, beautiful, secure fence in it's place. This is where you have the opportunity to help out. I need to raise a couple thousand dollars for materials to build the fence before we get there Memorial Day. Your donations are needed today. We're already $2,000- over budget on building materials for the house- and that's before we furnish it with the little things... like beds! - and I know even more expenses will come up as we build the house and everyone has "great" ideas of what needs to be added.
Now we need a fence. This email goes out to hundreds of you each week. Thanks so much to those of you that have generously supported Siempre or are joining us Memorial Day weekend. If you've been wondering what you can do- you can help us be a better neighbor, keep our kids safe and contained, and reclaim our lost property line by helping us buy/build this fence. If everyone sent $10- that would get the job done. But everyone won't. If today's a good place for you financially and you'd like to help us take care of this fence and pay for our Memorial Day task- make your check out to:
Siempre Para Los Ninos
and send it to:
5623 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
write: fence in the memo
or you can put your gift on a credit card at www.siemprekids.org. If you've not been to the site lately, check it out. It's a great place to track the weather for our weekend of building.
Crystal- getting used to her new home.
Mother's Day is celebrated in Mexico on May 10. It's a big deal and Aracelli was remembered with flowers and cards by many of our kids. Alejandro and Aracelli went out of their way to locate as many of the mother's as possible of our kids and invited them to visit Siempre this Saturday, the 14th and Bianca and Alejandra have been working with the children on special songs to sing for their moms. The kids and workers are excited about the day.
Aracelli and her mother's day flowers from her husband, Alajandro
Pray that some of the mother's show up. Being abandoned has been hard enough on each of these kids. To practice and practice special songs for their moms and then not have them attend would be brutal. Pray that they can find the mother of Crystal and Jesus. They're such wonderful children and I know the site of their mom would help with their continued adjustment to life at Siempre.
The kids... they've been fantastic through every stage of the building. Yesterday they were pushing brooms and working along side our workers at every opportunity. Danny really loves to be in the middle of it all. The kid may have a future in construction! It's going to be a challenge to find enough work for all of them to do while we're working. If you're joining us, start practicing simple phrases in Spanish so you can welcome the kids while working.
Isaias and Moises
That's the closest thing we have to a group photo this week. These two guys snagged my camera as soon as we pulled up and I didn't see it for the next two hours... when I did it felt like it was taking pictures, but nothing came out. And the one's the kids had taken, well you're looking at the best of them today. Ah well, they have fun with it. Maybe they'll be movie makers when they grow up.
Yard Sale for Siempre Para Los Ninos- here at Central Community in Riverside, Saturday, May 21. Pre-sale shopping, Friday evening, May 20th, admission, $5-, for you hard core garage shoppers! If you'd like to donate for the sale or shop, or have questions, call 951-689-5806. We bought the property Siempre sits on with a rummage sale. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could pay for the new building with this years sale? Empty that storage shed, clean the garage, clear out those closets. The sell will also be on ebay this year. Give the good stuff!
I looked at an incredible piece of property yesterday that seems to be in the right price range- meet with the owner for negotiations next Wednesday. She says the family wants Siempre to be there and they're willing to donate much of the surrounding land if we buy the main parcel- keep this in your prayers. Our current parcel will be built right up to the fence lines come Memorial Day Weekend. I Can't Wait!
siempre,
Eric M. Denton
5623 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
951-689-5806, office
951-907-9100, cell
You can support a child on a monthly basis and begin to build a lifetime relationship or support Siempre Para Los Ninos for a day, week or month. Without you our doors would close. To learn how you can rescue kids in poverty go to siemprekids.org it's easy and can be auto deducted from your bank account or from your credit card. Or give me a call with questions. Or mail your donation direct. Make checks payable to Siempre Para Los Ninos.
You're Invited to Our Memorial Day Building Weekend
click this link for more information
Don't forget to sign up for our Memorial Day Building Trip! Without you the new work won't be accomplished. Discover the joy of building hope.
I'm open to speak to your church, club, group or business concerning Siempre support.
PS
I add everyone that crosses my email desk to this list. If this is your first unsolicited update- welcome! I'm more than willing to accept your rejection if it means one more might join me in loving these kids. If you prefer not to receive our weekly updates just let me know. No problem.
Thanks so much to those of you who forward this to your own friends, family and associates.
Thanks for being part of our growing support system.