Punta Brabo — A gathering at Casa Del Mar marked the last check presentation by FOTH, Friends of the Handicapped, concluding the not-for-profit foundation’s activities on the island. The gathering was attended by Minister Paul Croes on behalf of the Government of Aruba, the Ministry of Social Affairs,
Youth Policy and Labor, and by Ernest Giel, on behalf of the Aruba Tourism Authority. Also present CEDE Aruba’s management team Mariëlle Hoeijmakers and Daniel B. Tecklenborg, beside representations of most of Aruba’s NGO, caring for the physically, mentally and socially handicapped residents of this island.
Friends of the Handicapped Foundation, founded by Mr. and Mrs. Jones who vacationed here at their timeshare resort, consisted of other North American visitors staying at Casa del Mar, Aruba Beach Club and Costa Linda. They collected funds for charities among tourists and locals for the past 27 years. All board members of the foundation were volunteers, who during their winter vacation months worked on behalf of the disadvantaged. Art Stark, from Illinois, has been the tireless foundation president for the past 20 years, working side by side with his equally-tireless wife Alma.
The minister and the NGO representatives all praised the dedication and drive of Friends of the Handicapped Foundation members who sacrifices leisure and resources to improve the life of many people on Aruba. The do-good foundation members include Pauline Daley, from NY, the late Phil Solomon, Dave and Tania Ulmschneider, from Florida, Sal & Maryann La Carruba, who conducted the last check presentation, Patrick & Marsha Finch, from Florida, and from Aruba Anouchka Maduro and volunteer Marcelino Kock. Volunteer Huegette Mariquette from Canada had been the main driver of the foundation’s successful Superbowl fundraiser, for many years .
With the retirement of Art Stark, and no succession, the foundation members decided to conclude their activities, and organized just one more check presentation, on March 14th. Over the years FOTH had raised and distributed over US$1,000,000.00 to various organizations caring for the socially, physically and mentally handicapped residents of Aruba, with 100% of the proceeds given back each year at the end of the winter season, as FOTH members headed back to their homes.
In collaboration with CEDE Aruba, Centro pa Desaroyo Social di Arubano, the Center for Social Development of Aruba, who matched the total contribution and managed the funds, many foundation were helped over the years such as: Imeldahof, children’s home, Funari, center for physically handicapped elderly, FEPO, Fundacion Respeta Mi, fighting child abuse, Fundashon pa nos Muchanan, Mi Por, Sonrisa, FALPA, Adopt and Addict, Epilepse, Thuiszorg Aruba, Trampolin pa Trabou, Koningin Wilhelmina Kanker Fonds, Ambiente Feliz, a home for mentally challenged adults, Centro Kibrahacha, a social center for active retirees, age 60+, Fundacion Cas Marie, a day center for those suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, Stichting Voor Verstandelijk Gahandicapten, Bibito Pin, a center for mentally challenged youngsters, Edmund Harms Foundation, providing hospice services to the terminally ill, Ambiente Nobo, a center for mentally challenged adults, Favi, a center for the visually impaired, Fundacion Autismo Aruba, promoting understanding of autism, and two foundations fighting substance abuse, Fundacion Hacienda and Fundacion Eliezer.
Everybody’s sentiment was echoed in a beautiful poem read by Yolanda E. Leslie-Dieffenthaler,
Bureaumedewerker Stichting of Fundacion Respeta Mi. She said: In today’s busy world, it takes special persons, to take the time and make the effort, to reach out to others, in such kind and thoughtful ways… Fundacion Respeta Mi just want you to know, that we’ve all noticed, how you’re always so willing, to go that extra mile and do whatever it takes, to make someone else’s life a little bit brighter. Your special blend of caring goes a long way toward proving there are still kindhearted people in this world people who seem to receive their greatest joy by sharing the best of themselves with others. Many thanks for helping Fundacion Respeta Mi to contribute to the prevention of child abuse in Aruba by means of YOUR generous project donations from 2002 up to 2014. Happy childhoods last a lifetime. Stop child abuse starts by helping prevent it.
Pictured here the check presentations to local NGOs, Minister Paul Croes’ appreciation address, and special awards by the Ministry of Tourism honoring foundation members with the Emerald Ambassador commemorative coin. The symbolic honorary title is presented in the name of the Minister of Tourism as a token of appreciation to guests who visit Aruba for 35 or more consecutive years. CEDE Aruba also honored members of the foundation with custom-made commemorative pins, in appreciation of their selfless service.
