The Walk - Overview

CANINES FOR KIDS WALK

Overview:

Purpose: to raise money for the School Barra del Tortuguero. All funds raised (100%) will be deposited into the school’s account in accordance with attached letter. “The Walk”: Unlike other “walks” and “runs,” the two legged participants are merely the “handlers.” The actual fund raising will be generated by our four legged “walkers.” Each dog will raise pledges supporting them in a one mile walk (actually seven dog miles). The canine may accept the assistance of his/her handler in raising pledges and collecting money. It will be the hope (aka goal) of each canine to raise $200, but that is just a goal.

Each canine may have as many handlers on the day of the Walk as desired, so entire families are invited to escort their walker (so long as it is okay with the dog).

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INFORMAL EVENT!

Although the walk will take place in Washington Park, we have no official sponsor,
there is no sanction by the city of Albany (and therefore the City has no responsibility at all) and we have no Tax ID number which would allow donations to be tax deductible. We are on our own-each handler will be responsible for the behavior of their own walker.

We will simply be a group of people getting together to walk our dogs. Once the event is over and the entire area cleaned perfectly (if you get my drift on this), all participants, walkers and handlers alike, will be invited to come back to Dave & Susi’s home for an Open House of snacks, soda, a beer or two and the final results of the funds raised by our canines.

Accountability of funds will be essential and that responsibility rests entirely with me (Dave Cleveland). Checks may be written directly to the school if this is required by the donor (but this is highly discouraged since any check that “bounces” as part of an international deposit will undoubtedly create nightmares). Cash and checks collected and given to me will be accounted for with totals per canine being e-mailed to all involved.

This way everyone can keep track of the money and verify that the amounts listed are exactly what was turned in to me. I will then deposit the entire amount into Susi and my personal checking account and purchase a money order or Bank Check for that amount. I will e-mail a copy of that check to all participants along with copies of any deposit verification from the bank in Costa Rica. It will be my commitment to account for every penny and to prove where it went-any other documentation that any of you would like, please let me know and I will provide it if possible.

If we can garner 10-15 walkers and raise $2,000 to $3,000 for the School Barra del Tortuguero on our own this year, how amazing would that be?! With some luck and whatever help any of you may be able to provide, my hope is to find a Non-Profit organization by next year that will back us in our Canines for Kids walk, thereby giving us a Tax ID number to use and the insurance needed for a permit to do this officially in Washington Park.

Date: May 5, 2007 Times: 1-2:00pm “The Walk”

2-4:00pm Open House at the Clevelands

All additional details will be sent to all of you who express a desire to take part in our Canines For Kids fund raiser.

First Letter about the Dog Walk

Dear (Dog Name) (please give this to your owner to read),

As you are probably aware, Susi and I had the opportunity to celebrate our 30th anniversary by vacationing in Costa Rica in March, 2006. During that trip we absolutely fell in love with the country and its people. Ever since, I have been trying to find a non-profit organization dedicated to the schools and the kids of Costa Rica but have so far been unsuccessful.

The one area of Costa Rica that had the strongest impact on us was the small town of Tortuguero on the East coast. The needs at that school are many, but in dollar terms they are not beyond fulfilling. I have come up with an idea for a “Fund Raiser” to raise money for the school and have met with City of Albany officials to obtain a permit. The problem is that they require a Tax ID number indicating this is for an officially approved non-profit organization and an insurance policy protecting the city (both reasonable requests). I’ve been unable to obtain either.

Instead of simply giving up on this idea, it is my hope to reduce the goal but still raise money for the objective by asking dog-owning friends, relatives and co-workers to join in an unofficial fund raiser. I believe it will be a lot of fun and offers at least the potential to send a couple of thousand dollars to the school.

Please review the enclosed material and let me know if you, your friends and/or your family would be interested in taking part in this event. It is out of the ordinary in many respects: donations are not tax deductible, it will have no official status as an approved fund raising activity by the city, state or federal government and the only “support” we will receive will come from ourselves.

Let me know what you think, one way or the other. This could really be a big help to the school and a lot of fun for us.

Sincerely,

David Cleveland

Why the People of Costa Rica?

It is hard to imagine a people who are friendlier, more peaceful, more devoted to nature than are the Ticos. Researching Non-Profits for Costa Rica, there are literally dozens of them ranging from protecting the vast forests of Costa Rica to safeguarding animals, birds and sea life.

The guardian of these resources is the people of Costa Rica. I could find no Non-Profit dedicated to helping those people that help God’s creation.

Located literally in the middle of the jungle, the town of Tortuguero has a population of approximately 1,000. The only access to the town is by boat, a one and one-half hour trip by way of an inland river. Electricity came to this area only in 1983 and water ten years later. There are currently 5 or 6 “resorts” for tourists (these are individual bungalows with very nice accommodations, but not a resort in the normal definition). As a destination, Tortuguero is purely eco-tourism. Despite being located on the Carribean, swimming is hazardous and the river filled with unfriendly caimans and crocodiles, so water sports are not an option. Tours of the jungle in small boats carry nature seeking tourists into dense areas filled with wildlife.

The school itself is very small and extremely basic. There are approximately 190 students and the needs at the school are numerous. Having given liberally over the years to a multitude of charities, churches and other very worthy causes, I have never regretted giving to these organizations, but felt doubtful that my contributions actually made much of a difference.

In Costa Rica, a little can go a long way. Hundreds of dollars can make an actual difference in a single school-thousands can actually fulfill an annual budget’s worth of unfunded plans and dreams. Coincidentally, the amount of money I pay in school taxes just for my home in Guilderland, NY is almost exactly the same amount the School in Tortuguero has listed as their entire annual budget shortfall.

Raising just a relatively small amount of money for the School Barra del Tortuguero can make a huge difference to that school, to that community. A few thousand dollars can satisfy their entire annual need! With all the strife and conflict that this world endures on a regular basis, it is an unfortunate fact that those countries that never bother anyone are often overlooked. Nations and peoples that simply live their lives peacefully are rarely, if ever, the recipients of aid and assistance. Costa Rica is such a nation, the Ticos are such a people.

Why Costa Rica?

This is a small country with an official population of approximately 4.5 million. It is estimated that up to an additional 1 million illegal immigrants are also in the country seasonally, mostly from neighboring Nicaragua. Citizens and immigrants alike are provided with full health care and schooling. This is a peaceful nation whose Army was disbanded in 1948 and has never been re-established. Guns are rare as is hunting due to the overwhelming love that Ticos have for wildlife and nature. Costa Rica has a stable Democracy which has been an example to neighboring countries for generations. While neighbors have struggled with dictatorships and civil wars, Costa Rica has lived at peace with itself and those surrounding countries.

Education is provided for all residents of Costa Rica and is considered good by Central American standards. Children ages 5-15 must attend school which is a good reason that Ticos are 96% literate. To eliminate obvious economic differences among those with money and those without, students are required to wear the same school uniforms allowing all children to be equal at least in dress while at school.

Costa Rica has thirty-four percent (34%!) of its land “protected” to ensure safeguards for its unique rain and cloud forests and its diverse abundance of wildlife (this would roughly be the equivalent of our nation declaring all land east of the Mississippi River to be National Forest.)This fact alone speaks all the words necessary as to the Tico devotion to their country, their love of nature and their role as a responsible brother in the world community. Revenues from
their new and growing eco-tourism industry not only provide jobs for the population but produce enough “profit” so as to guarantee that these lands remain protected and a future inheritance to its citizens and the world.

Finally, why Costa Rica? Why not?