By Marie Dwyer-Bullock
We had a very special group on our Focus on Mexico Thanksgiving program (Nov 07). One story that touched our hearts really must be shared. Not shared for the sole purpose of giving recognition to the generous donor (since at first he didn’t even want to be named), but shared (with his permission) to inspire others with the story of his generous donation to help children he has never met.
During my talk on Living on the Lakeside, I shared this story with our group.
Our maid Gloria (who we recognize is way too smart to be a maid all her life) wanted to take computer lessons. Remembering that the Lake Chapala Society offers FREE computer lessons to Mexican Nationals, we took her in to register. The list was a mile long; it would be forever before she would be able to attend (so we got her private lessons).
During the process we found out that the Society only has six computers, which means they can only teach six students at a time. We decided right then to share this story with our Focus groups in order to encourage anyone moving to the Lakeside to bring their old computers with them and donate them to the Lake Chapala Society. More computers mean more classes can be offered and with this training, more hope and opportunities for local Mexican Nationals.
One very caring Focus participant, Jerry Pounds, was greatly moved by this story and immediately wanted to help. This Thanksgiving certainly was a day to be truly Thankful.
He talked to our IT manager at Focus (Bill McConnaughey), and asked if he would assist in getting quotes for computers to donate to the Lake Chapala Society. Bill made a call to New World Technology and came back with their quote of only $420 US per computer, complete with operating system in Spanish and all the necessary software. They had also decided since this purchase was for a charity, they would build the machines at cost. Consequently, Jerry purchased four new computers. Thank you Jerry and thank you New World Technology.
I then called Mary Alice Sargent, who is in charge of the Wilkes Education Center within the Lake Chapala Society. She was ecstatic, to say the least, at the prospect of adding four brand-new computers to the existing six that are so in demand. The Wilkes Education Center currently provides classes in English, computers and nutrition at no cost to over 200 students and also contains a Spanish-language lending library, the Biblioteca, with over 3000 books.
You would think that Jerry would be finished donating after this. But no, this is the kind of man who seems to thrive on giving to others. So he writes me out this following note.
“Lake Chapala Society now has ten computers [six existing plus the four Jerry donated].
For every four additional computers donated by other people, Jerry (through one of his corporations) will donate one more, until the Society has a total of 50 computers.”
That will mean Jerry, over time, will donate eight more computers, in addition to the four he already donated. And I’m guessing the Lake Chapala Society will be looking for additional classroom space at this point.
To help in this process I asked New World Technology if they would be willing to continue to build the computers at cost for this very worthy cause. They assured me they would do so.
Generosity like this really does restore your faith in human nature.
This is not the first time that Focus participants have been inspired to contribute to our local charities and we will be writing more articles about others who gave, once we have their permission to do so.
Our Focus programs have always attracted interesting and talented people with a zest for life. We consider getting to meet these individuals one of the great rewards for us at Focus.