HELLO CHRISTMAS LOVERS!

The Island of Bonaire, NA hosted the Third Annual Wounded Warriors scuba diving certification trip in October, the people of Bonaire embraced our American veterans. The support for this project is a true grass roots effort that Bonaireans take personally. They showed their love from their motorcycle club escorts, gifts from their fine shops, to dinner at many restaurants, diving their beautiful reefs and a special dinner with the governor.

This year six United States soldiers, who were severely wounded in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, flew to Bonaire for their final open water dives. A big thanks goes out to all the people who made the 3 rd Annual Dive Trip a huge success, especially Captain Don's Habitat. Next year’s trip is already in the planning stages.

I have had the opportunity to be the WARRIORS dive instructor and traveled with them on all three trips to Bonaire. While there, I have had the pleasure to mingle with the local people of the island and to meet the local governing body.

Seeing the out pouring of love and care that the people of the island have bestowed upon our wounded warriors, and after talking to them about the needs of the handicapped children and battered women on the small island we would like to give a “Big Thanks” to the poorer island people.

The government has just completed the construction of four buildings. Three of these structures will be the new home for the islands handicapped children that can’t stay with their families any more and the fourth building will house the island’s battered women and their children while waiting for other living accommodations.

As a jester of love during the Christmas Season, we would like to send these deserving people items they need to make their new homes a better and more educational place to live.

Some of the handicapped children are mainstreamed into the school system. They will need 2 computers, educational programs, software, printers, paper and project folders, etc. (the normal school needs), so they can compete with the outside school environment.

Another thing that will help the handicapped children, are two beach wheelchairs so they can cross the sand to get into the water that surrounds the island.

The women are in need of a couple of sewing machines, to make clothes for their children and to also make items for sale which will enable them to support their children while at the shelter.

The cost to ship the items to Bonaire is also expensive, so some funds are needed. We will be sending articles for Christmas and hope to send more in July.

GOD BLESS!!

Stew

Make checks payable to: Handicapped Scuba Association (HELP BONAIRE)
HSA is 501c organization

WE THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR HELP.

THE COLTS NECK LIONS CLUB

THE CENTRA STATE HEALTH AWARENESS CENTER

ROCARGO SERVICES, N.V.

AMCAR FREIGHT, MIAMI, FL.

ELIZABETH POLICE, NJ

ELAINE DYMYD

SUZANNE S. OF WALL TWP, NJ

T&B SPECIALTIES, INC
TOM BARCHIE, PRESIDENT
JACKSON, NJ 08527

DIANE LAPONZINA. OF FREEHOLD TWP, NJ