The Color Purple Event - Thursday, October 11, 2012

For two weeks after the Color Purple Event, we were waited for our final results of donations and for the pictures.  About that time, our beloved dog and friend of 11 years became ill.  We were caring for him finally having to lay him to rest.  We are sorry for the delay in our reporting and thank you for your patience.
 

Our event did indeed, finally took place at Villa San Carlos - Thursday, October 11 beginning at 7:00 p.m.  This was the 2nd annual Color Purple to benefit the children with cancer at SOLCA here in Cuenca, Ecuador.
 

Our theme was and is the color purple.  Those who attended last year and this year have now understood the color purple is brilliant, beautiful, and bright representing what we all need:  Hope - Esperanza!

 

  The evening began with our "purple" friends trickling in one by one, two by two. As each one entered the door, each one was greeted by our American and Ecuadorian friends, Bobby & Terri Hager, and Dayana and Marcela Reyes.  The ladies were greeted with a lovely rose.

 

 

The first half hour was a time of saying "hellos," and striking up conversations with everyone.  As each one found their seat for the evening, we began the evening with door prizes!  Dinner then began to be served.  Villa San Carlos once again proved their culinary skills with a delightful meal which everyone said they enjoyed immensely.

 

 

When the room was finally filled, our emcees for the evening Alvaro Arnijos and Elisa Munoz graciously greeted everyone both in Spanish and English.  They gave the quick review of what was to take place for the evening, introducing our event's guest speaker, Dr. Raul Alvarado,
Director of SOLCA.
 

 

Sue shared her song, "You Have Friends," right before Dr. Alvarado's comments.  And afterwards, Gary shared about how his sister at age 16 contracted a rare stomach cancer.  Though Gary was only 11 years old, he was able to find comfort from God regarding his sister's untimely death and departure from this world.  He asked how many in the room had either been affected by cancer or knew of a friend and/or family member who had cancer.  Nearly every person raised their hand.
 

After Gary shared, a band of doctors from SOLCA hospital gave us a superb musical performance.  Everyone seemed to enjoy their presentation.  During their presentation, Sue & Elisa gave out the remainder of roses that had been donated for the evening to a number of ladies.  As you will see from the pictures, there were some great surprised faces!
 

 

 

 The finally tally of donation to SOLCA is $1507.25 plus $300 in food we were able to donate to the families of patients in SOLCA.  We were informed that the hospital was full and there a number of families in the Emaus home who needed to be fed.  Our total donation then was $1807.25.
 

We are so grateful to everyone who gave of their time, resources, gifts, and talents to this year's 2nd annual event.  Every penny given was given to SOLCA with the exception of a small printing charge of $48.29.  So many businesses were generous with their gifts of door prizes, flowers, and chocolates.

Thanks to everyone for the 2nd Annual Color Purple Event
.

Photos have been provided by Stephanie and Sebastian Carrion.
 

 

Sue & Gary
Elisa Munoz
and our friends