I have received a number of emails that I want to pass along to the park cleanup volunteers to let them know that they are making a difference in the community and it is appreciated not just by me but by my Mexican neighbors.  Honest I didn’t make these up but I prefer to respect the privacy of the senders by leaving out there names.

One person wrote:…

Great job on the park !!

 Last Sunday, I went to drop off some things to an old poor woman who lives across from the park and she was so happy to see about 10 teenagers playing basketball and having fun in the park.  She is very poor and doesn’t smile a lot, but the smile on her face watching those kids play was amazing.   She said this is really good for them and keeps them out of trouble. 

 She also had her two adult sons cleaning the sides of the ditch between the park and her house and she said, “It doesn’t look good to have the park all nice and clean over there and to have a mess over here.  I hope that we can all work together to keep it clean.  It will be good for my granddaughter and the younger ones, too” 

I just thought you would want to know that Los Amigos is making a difference in her life.  She was so happy, I just wanted to share that with you.

Thanks for all that you are doing

And I responded with ……

Thanks for that it reminds me to send a special thanks to all those who worked on the project.

I love that message.  What a great testimonial! 

I met her and talked to her a bit too.  She certainly was all smiles.

The older gentleman, Antonio,  who lives a bit further down the street also made a point of introducing himself to me and congratulating us on a great effort. 

There is another woman who lives on our street who used to have a pretty mean disposition toward foreigners but suddenly she treats me as her best friend and I assume she is a bit better disposed to other foreigners as well.  She also happens to be an opinion leader in the community.

I am hoping that "cleaning the street fever" sweeps down my street.

With special thanks to all who came out.  You are making a difference in the lives of real people in our community........Johan

Another person wrote…..

I drive by the park most everyday and there seems to be more kids there now than before..  Let's pat ourselves on the back.. This is what it is all about.. 

And someone responded to that …..

I noticed (and thought) the same thing two days ago when I drove by. 

So volunteers………Give yourself a big pat on the back.

You too can help by supporting the good works of Los Amigos by attending the fund raiser. (details on their web site:  http://www.losamigosdelapenita.com/en/2009-bartlett.htm.)  I am hopeful they plan to spend some of those funds on the park.

Or you can mention to the businesses who supported us with materials that you appreciate it.  They are mentioned in a number of places on the this web site.