ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <!--Below is the head section, containing the title, meta tags, script and CSS code --> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <!--Below is the title of the Website, Spirit of Casa Inc.--> <title>Spirit of Casa Inc. </title> <!--Below are the keywords for the website.--> <meta name="keywords" content="Casa, Casa de la Esperanza, Spirit of Casa, Casa Kids, Casa Kids-Tijuana, Casa Kids Tijuana, orphanage, Tijuana, Mexico, Community Service opportunities"> <!--Below is the description of Spirit of Casa Inc.--> <meta name="description" content="Spirit of Casa is a non-profit organization serving Casa de la Esperanza orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico."> <!--Below is the Javascript code, used for creating the onmouseover effects for the buttons.--> <script language="Javascript" type="text/javascript"> if (document.images) { button1= new Image button2= new Image button3= new Image button4= new Image button5= new Image button6= new Image button7= new Image button8= new Image button9= new Image button10= new Image button11= new Image button12= new Image button13= new Image button14= new Image button15= new Image button16= new Image button17= new Image button18= new Image button1.src= 'AboutSpiritBefore.gif' button2.src= 'AboutSpiritAfter.gif' button3.src= 'CasaHistoryBefore.gif' button4.src= 'CasaHistoryAfter.gif' button5.src= 'CasaKidsBefore.gif' button6.src= 'CasaKidsAfter.gif' button7.src= 'AlumniBefore.gif' button8.src= 'AlumniAfter.gif' button9.src= 'CommunityServiceBefore.gif' button10.src= 'CommunityServiceAfter.gif' button11.src= 'TransportationandPaperworkB.gif' button12.src= 'TransportationandPaperworkA.gif' button13.src= 'CommonlyAskedQuestionsBefor.gif' button14.src= 'CommonlyAskedQuestionsAfter.gif' button15.src= 'CasaNeedsAfter.gif' button16.src= 'CasaNeedsBefore.gif' button17.src= 'HomeBefore.gif' button18.src= 'HomeAfter.gif' } </script> <!--The Beginning of the CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, code.--> <style type="text/css"> /*Main headers of the website*/ h1 {font-family: jokerman, arial, sans-serif; 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</center></marquee> </td> </tr> <!--End of table containing buttons and slideshow of pictures--> </table> <!--Beginning of table containing the horizontally positioned buttons--> <table border="0" width="980" align="center"> <tr> <!--Background color for the buttons. #FEFB18 is a bright yellow--> <td bgcolor="#FEFB18" width="100%"> <!--Table within a table--> <table> <!--Horizontally positioned buttons--> <tr> <!--Home Page Button. onmouseover causes the "offwhite" color to appear. onmouseout is how the button appears regularly. 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Each row and cell contains only one article and pictures.--> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 3.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 1.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 2.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td> <h2>Dr. Melanie Parker: Keeping Dreams Alive and Maintaining Bright Smiles</h2> <h2>By Daniel Cohn</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><p class="text">Spirit of Casa, Inc. is pleased to announce its 2012 educational scholarship recipients. Six Casa orphans will receive full scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year thanks to the cotinued support and generosity of Dr. Melanie Parker. The six awardees include 2 primary students, 2 secondary students, 1 high school student, and a cosmetology student. To date, Dr. Parker has sponsored the education of 21 children. In addition to her scholarship donations, Dr. Parker recently sent more than sixty dental hygiene kits to the orphanage for the children. Thank you, Dr. Parker for your endless support of Casa's kids!</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 4.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 5.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2012 Dr. Parker photo 6.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <br> <br> ************************************************************** <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td> <h1> Casa 2011: A Year in Reflection </h1> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Lew Merrim: In Memoriam</h2> <h2>By Ronn Garton</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="IMG_0669.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="Lew-Tribute7.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="IMG_0664.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="left"> <img src="Lew-Tribute8.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td align="right"> <p class="text">I shared a friendship with Lew Merrim, during his retirement days in La Jolla that spanned about 25 years. We met in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where we shared a homestay with the family of Guadalupe Lomeli and her two children. Although we both were from La Jolla, we had never met. Both of us had ventured to Mexico for a winter Spanish Immersion course. Our friendship began over a mutual quest and delight in all things Latino.</p></td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td align="left"> <p class="text">I introduced him to the Casa de la Esperanza, the Presbyterian orphanage in Tijuana. Soon, he was a regular on the monthly bus trips to the Casa, where we became  Los Amigos de La Jolla. Lew continued these Tijuana trips right up to his final illness. He rode shot-gun to Terry Senty s piloting. He often helped prepare the lunch, where his military training lent some order to Mexican manana. Lew missed very few Casa trips over the course of 20 plus years. He always took his trusty camera with him. The children were his subjects. They posed and he captured their innocent faces, and in the process, he became an important person in their lives, and they in his.</p> </td> <td align="right"> <img src="Lew-Tribute11.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td align="left"> <img src="Lew-Tribute10.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td align="right"><p class="text">Orphans adopt visitors easily. Lew was gifted with an ever-enlarging family and, no doubt, could easily have applied for Mexican citizenship, on the basis of these relationships. Often the van would be met with gritos& .. Luis, Hola Luis! His hundreds of portraits taken of children at the Casa, made their way into yearly calendars that were sent all over the world, in pursuit of donations to keep the children fed, clothed and educated. I brought a few of these calendars today so that you might see them. More permanent reproductions of these photos adorn the walls of the Casa comedor, as a memorial to two of the three most important ladies of Lew s life.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td align="left"> <p class="text">He took one memorable van trip with the Casa kids that took them all the way to Mexico City. Once again, Luis rode in the passenger seat in the front of the van, only this time, behind him were all manner of young followers singing and jostling each other kilometer after kilometer, for days. They ate simple, communal meals in church halls and everyone slept on the floor at night. The children sang for their supper and Luis captured it all on film. The only sad note on this trip was that the Casa Photographer was mugged in Mexico City and lost his wallet with all of its contents. He said something to the effect that if it had been Brooklyn, he would have lost his pants as well. He was undaunted.</p> </td> <td align="right"> <img src="Lew-Tribute13.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td align="left"> <img src="Lew-Tribute9.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td align="right"> <p class="text">Lew and I made four trips together through the years. We stayed in Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, and last year we traveled to Lima, Peru. During these times, I prompted Lew to tell the stories of his youth, his Army career, of his participation in the liberation of Italy, France, and the German Concentration Camps. His final military service involved the liberation of Norway. After WWII he studied at Grenoble in France, before returning to Brooklyn. He told the stories of his courtship of Louise and the birth of his daughters, his early day struggles with starting a business in New York, his move to Port Washington and family life there, and then the Merrim decision to move West for a new beginning and retirement. He loved his wife and his daughters and felt he had been blessed by them. He admitted that Louise was a tough cookie and that his daughters were smarter than he was& .and somehow this made him happy.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td align="left"> <p class="text">Some of his final words to me were to the fact that his life had been good and he had accomplished everything he wanted to do. He was ready to fold his tent. I believe he is in God s hands. And I know no better place to be.  Que te vaya bien, Luis! </p> </td> <td align="right"> <img src="Lew-Tribute12.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="IMG_0665.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="Lew-Tribute14.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="IMG_0660.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Casa Character Art</h2> <h2>By David Cohn</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="CasaArtContest1.jpg" alt="Casa Art Contest #1"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="CasaArtContest6.jpg" alt="Casa Art Contest #6"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="CasaArtContest4.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 4"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <p class="text">A character art contest was held at Casa during the July monthly trip. Each child was encouaged to create their own imaginary character. Some children gave their zany figures comical names. Smiles were abundant as the winners were announced. Congratulations to all of the young artists! Job well done!</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="CasaArtContest2.jpg" alt="Casa Art Contest #1"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="CasaArtContest3.jpg" alt="Casa Art Contest #6"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="CasaArtContest5.jpg" alt="Casa Art Contest"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <h2> ************************************************************************************************ </h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2> The Bishop s School Casa Toy Chest Toy Drive 2011</h2> <h2>By David Cohn</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 3.jpg" alt="2011 Toy Drive Photo"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 6.jpg" alt="2011 Toy Drive Photo"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 4.jpg" alt="2011 Toy Drive Photo"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Spirit of Casa sends a special thank you to The Bishop s School community for their continued support of the children at the Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage. This year, sixty children received gifts of love, reflecting the time and care spent by the members of Bishop s Community Service Initiative (CSI). Gift requests included soccer balls, UNO cards, baby dolls, Hot Wheels, and even a pillow. Following in the tradition of years past, all of the children signed the  Casa Kids Thank you Card, which was presented to Ms. Joan Heylman, Bishop s Community Service Director, during a Chapel service at Bishop s.</p> <p class="text">Gracias Bishop s! Your steadfast support is very much appreciated!</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 2.jpg" alt="2011 Toy Drive Photo"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 1.jpg" alt="2011 Toy Drive Photo"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2011 Toy Drive Photo 5.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 4"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Dr. Melanie Parker Continues Her Support of Casa s Kids</h2> <h2>By David Cohn</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship5.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 2"> </td> <td width="600" align="center"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship1.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 4"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship7.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 6"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <p class="text">In honor of her parents, Dr. Parker has generously awarded six new educational scholarships to the Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage. The orphanage directors selected three university students and three secondary school students as the recipients of these awards. Over the last two years, Dr. Parker has demonstrated her overwhelming support for Casa by funding the education of fifteen children.</p> </td> <td> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship3.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 1"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <p class="text">In addition, Dr. Parker recently donated refillable all-in-one toothbrushes to each orphan living at Casa. The children were all smiles as they received their innovative new gadgets. </p> <p class="text">The Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage and Spirit of Casa, Inc. would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Parker for her compassionate giving year after year. </p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship2.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 3"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship4.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 5"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Dr. Parker scholarship6.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 7"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <table align="center"> <tr> <td> ******************************************************* </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td> <h1>Casa: 2010 In Review</h1> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Operation Adopt an Orphan for the Holidays 2010</h2> <h2>By Andrea Shearer</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 3.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 2"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 7.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 4"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 5.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 6"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Early Christmas morning, a group of thirty volunteers gathers in a circle together and prays for safe travel and a joyful Christmas. After loading the caravan to the brim with lovingly wrapped presents, the group embarks on its trip to Tijuana, Mexico. The destination is the Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage. Once the caravan pulls in, the volunteers are immediately welcomed by swarms of grateful children. Volunteers can barely get out of the vans before being smothered in hugs from smiling children.</p> <p class="text">Christmas at Casa was a success again this year. In Casa s third annual  Operation: Adopt an Orphan, all fifty-eight children were successfully  adopted for the holidays. Each orphan at Casa selected both a needed and wanted item. In addition, each child also told his or her  adopted parent what his or her wish for the world was. Some children prayed for peace in Tijuana, for others to have a brighter Christmas, but most wished for all to know the love of God.</p> <p class="text">Santa made a special appearance at Casa and handed out presents to all fifty-eight deserving children. The children patiently waited for each child to receive his or her present and then they opened their presents together. The children sang and danced to Christmas songs and even allowed long time volunteers to join them on stage while singing and dancing with them.</p> <p class="text">Christmas Day was once again filled with love and laughter at Casa. Special thanks to the San Diego District Attorney s Office and elves in San Diego and Northern California for their help making this a very special Christmas for the kids at Casa.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 8.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 3"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 10.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 5"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Casa Xmas 20010-11 2.jpg" alt="Dr. Parker scholarship 7"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center">******************************************************** </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic5.jpg" alt="Terry 2010pic5"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic3.jpg" alt="Terry 2010 pic3"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic4.jpg" alt="Terry 2010 pic4"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>The Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage Celebrates Spirit of Casa Board Member Terry Senty</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <p class="text">The Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage recently celebrated longstanding Board Member and current Spirit of Casa, Inc., Treasurer, Terry Senty. In addition to his duties as Treasurer, Terry is also in charge of organizing the monthly trips to the orphanage, driving Spirit's van, and coordinating the lunch service on those monthly trips.</p> <p class="text">Beloved by the staff and children at Casa, Terry has participated in monthly trips for over twenty years. At the cermony, Spirit's CEO, Claire Summer, eloquently stated, "At Spirit, Terry wears many hats. We are grateful for his dedication and service to our organization and to the children at Casa."</p> <p class="text"> Terry was honored with over fifty handcrafted cards made by the Casa orphans, and a custom designed cake from the staff. Terry was a good sport, and participated the ritual "cake-dunking" activity to the delight of the children.</p> <p class="text">Terry, Spirit is deeply appreciative of your tireless efforts and your commitment to serving others within your community. </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic6.jpg" alt="Terry 2010 pic6"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic1.jpg" alt="Terry 2010 pic1"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Terry 2010 pic2.jpg" alt="Terry 2010 pic2"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr align="center"> <td width="980"> <br> <br> ***************************************** <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home 5.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home 2.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home 4.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>The Second Annual Bishop s School Casa Toy Chest Toy Drive</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <p class="text"> Spirit of Casa applauds the entire Bishop s community for their outpouring of love and support for the children at the Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage. This year fifty-six children received beautifully adorned gifts wrapped in pink, blue, and white. The children s eyes were filled with wonderment and anticipation as sixth and seventh grade students, faculty members, and parents delivered the gifts. A few of Casa s youngest orphans tried to sneak a peek, as their excitement was about to erupt!</p> <p class="text">Gift favorites included, Ben Ten T-shirts, Bakugan figurines, baby dolls, board games, and remote control cars, or airplanes. All fifty-six children signed the traditional handcrafted  Casa Kids Thank you Card, which will be presented to Ms. Joan Heylman, Bishop s Community Service Director, at an upcoming All School assembly.</p> <p class="text"> Gracias Bishop s, your generosity has brought everlasting joy to Tijuana s disadvantaged children.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home 7.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="2010 Bishops Toy Drive Home 8.jpg" alt="2010 Bishops Toy Drive"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> ************************************************************************ </td> </tr> </td> </tr> <td> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Casa s Kids Join the Global Community</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Two international projects, the House of Hope Correspondence Project and the International Children s Art Exchange Program have immersed Casa s children into a world-wide cultural exchange. </p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Mission pen pal 5.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 5"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Mission pen pal 3.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 3"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Mission pen pal 6.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 6"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <h2>The House of Hope Correspondence Project</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="text">The Casa de la Esperanza House of Hope project recently embarked on an international journey across the Atlantic to Namibia. Under the direction of Spirit of Casa Board Member, David Cohn III, more than seventy Casa orphans created extraordinary individualized drawings for the children at the St. Mary s Anglican Mission in Odibo, Namibia.</p> <p class="text">David delivered the beautiful pictures to the eagerly awaiting Namibian school children, many of whom are orphans themselves. David remarked,  The children at the St. Mary s Mission loved receiving these heartfelt gifts from across the globe. Their curiosity was immediately sparked, as they wanted to know everything about their new global friends. </p> <p class="text"> In return, the Namibian children joyfully made their own hand-crafted works of art for the Casa orphans. At each point in this international expedition, David gave the children in Mexico and Namibia a geography lesson utilizing a world map. Like their counterparts in Namibia, the Casa orphans especially enjoyed examining the world map and plotting out the vast distance between Tijuana, Mexico and Odibo, Namibia. </p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Mission pen pal 2.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 2"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Mission pen pal 4.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 4"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Mission pen pal 1.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 1"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <h2>The International Children s Art Exchange Program</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="ICAE Home Page 4.jpg" alt="ICAE Home Page 4"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="ICAE Home Page 3.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 3"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="text"> Spirit of Casa volunteer, Cherry Lee, founder of the International Children s Art Exchange Program (ICAE), lead a creative art workshop at the Casa de la Esperanza orphanage which provided guidance and instruction on the basic principles of creative art. Each child at the orphanage then created their own masterpiece, as participants in the ICAE world art exchange program. In the spring, the Casa orphans will each receive an original piece of art from another child in a different part of the world. The ICAE program has been in existence for approximately twenty years and has received artwork from thousands of children in more than nineteen countries. For more information concerning the International Children s Art Exchange Program, contact Ms. Cherry Lee at the following e-mail address, clee27@san.rr.com.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="ICAE Home Page 1.jpg" alt="ICAE Home Page 1"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="ICAE Home Page 2.jpg" alt="Mission pen pal 2"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> ************************************************************************ </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <h2>Casa de la Esperanza Educational Sponsorship Program</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table> <tr> <td align="left"><img src="Casa Kids Photo Gallery 1.jpg" alt="Casa Kids Photo Gallery 1"> </td> <td align="right"> <p class="text">Spirit of Casa, Inc. would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to Dr. Melanie Parker for her steadfast commitment to help educate Tijuana s disadvantaged children. This year, Dr. Parker will generously fund educational sponsorships for six Casa orphans. Please join Dr. Parker and change the life of a Casa child by becoming an educational sponsor. To give a gift of education, please contact us at www.spiritofcasa.org.</p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> ************************************************************************** </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009 5.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009 5"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009 10.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009 10.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <h2>Operation Adopt an Orphan for the Holidays 2009</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="text"> Spirit of Casa, Inc. and the Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage would like to thank the angels among us, Andrea Shearer, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, the students at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and the La Jolla Presbyterian Church for their outpouring of love and support this holiday season. This year, the children at the orphanage received extraordinary gifts such as: bicycles, shoes, romote control cars, CD players, baby dolls, and clothes. The Mission Committee at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church generously donated much needed funds to repair Casa's one and only school bus. To view this year's slide show of Christmas smiles with Santa Claus, click <a href="CasaKids.htm">here.</a> </p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009 4.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009 4"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009 9.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009 9.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Casa Xmas 2009 7.jpg" alt="Casa Xmas 2009 7"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> **************************************************************** <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h1>Casa: 2008-2009 In Retrospect</h1> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Lew Tribute4.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute4.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Lew Tribute5.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute5.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Lew Tribute6.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute6.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <h2>The Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage Pays Tribute to Lew Merrim for Twenty Years of Dedicated Service</h2> <h2>By Ronn Garton and David Cohn</h2> <h2>Photographs by Michael Walker</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Lew Merrim is one of Casa's longest and most effective supporters. For over twenty years, he has only missed a few of the monthly trips to the orphanage. </p> <p class="text">Lew is a decorated war veteran and an award winning photojournalist. During his career, he has worked for TIME, LIFE, Collier's, and Presbyterian Life magazines. He even served President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Later this year, some of Lew's photos from the 1940's will be displayed in a special exhibit at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. </p> <p class="text">Many of Lew's favorite photos adorn this web site, including the photo tribute to his beloved wife and daughter, Louise Merrim and Andrea Goff, on the Spirit of Casa Alumni Page. Lew has shared many of these photographs with the Casa alumni; for some, these are the only childhood pictures they possess. </p> <p class="text">Lew's financial support of the Casa de la Esperanza orphanage also spans more than two decades. His fundraising efforts on behalf of the orphanage are unparalleled. Lew Merrim is one of a kind! </p> <p class="text">Thank you Lew for your dedication to the Casa de la Esperanza orphanage! </p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490" align="left"> <img src="Lew Tribute3.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute3.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="Lew Tribute1.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute1.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Lew Tribute2.jpg" alt="Lew Tribute2.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="980"> ******************************************** <br> <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490"> <img src="Educational Sponsorship Photo2.jpg" alt="Educational Sponsorship Photo2.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Educational Sponsorship Photo3.jpg" alt="Educational Sponshorship Phot3.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Casa de la Esperanza Educational Sponsorship Program</h2> <h2>By David Cohn</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <tr> <td> <p class="text">In order to improve the literacy rate of the children at the Casa de la Esperanza, Board member David Cohn established the Casa de la Esperanza Educational Sponsorship Program. Thanks to the charitableness of Dr. Melanie Parker, three Casa children have received full scholarships for the upcoming school year. Dr. Parker's generosity is especially noteworthy, since the children's mother is receiving cancer therapy. When their mother learned that her children would receive educational scholarships, she became emotional, teary-eyed, and expressed her heart-felt gratitude to Dr. Parker. The children demonstrated their appreciation by crafting thank-you notes for Dr. Parker. Dr. Parker, You're the Best!</p> <p class="text">You can become an educational sponsor for as little as $100. If you would like to sponsor a Casa orphan, please contact Spirit of Casa, Inc. at mail@spiritofcasa.org.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="490"> <img src="Educational Sponsorship Photo1.jpg" alt="Educational Sponsorship Photo2.jpg"> </td> <td width="490" align="right"> <img src="Educational Sponsorship Photo4.jpg" alt="Educational Sponshorship Phot3.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr align="center"> <td align="center" width="980"> <br> ******************************************** <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Community Service at its Best: Spirit of Casa Salutes The Bishop's School for Supporting Casa's Kids</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326" align="left"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 2.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 2.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="center"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 4.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 4.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="right"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 7.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 7.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td> <h2>House of Hope Correspondence Project</h2> <p class="text">Senora Sutherland, Senora Torres-Worstell, and the students from the Spanish III Honors and AP Spanish Language classes composed more than seventy-five personalized letters that were recently delivered to the orphanage. In turn, the orphans eagerly sent return letters and drawings to their special Bishop's pen pals.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326" align="left"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 1.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 1.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="center"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 3.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 3.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="right"> <img src="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 5.jpg" alt="Bishop's Pen Pal Photo 5.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <br> ************************************************ <br> </td> </tr> </table> <br> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326" align="left"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo4.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 4.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="center"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo1.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 1.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="right"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo5.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 5.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2> Bishop's Casa Toy Chest Project </h2> <p class="text"> In honor of Bishop's faculty member Mr. James Updegraff's leap year birthday, Ms. Heylman, Spirit of Casa Board Member David Cohn, and the Community Serivce Incorporated Club (CSI), worked hand-in-hand in organizing and coordinating the Bishop's Casa Toy Chest Community Service Project. Bishop's advisories, faculty, and staff generously provided toys and clothing for over sixty-three children at the Casa de la Esperanza orphanage. With the assistance of Spirit of Casa, Inc., David Cohn distributed the gifts to anxiously awaiting Casa orphans. In return, the orphans signed a giant Casa thank you card for the entire Bishop's community. Muchas gracias, Bishop's!</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326" align="left"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo2.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 2.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="center"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo3.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 3.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="right"> <img src="Casa Toy Chest Photo7.jpg" alt="Casa Toy Chest Photo 7.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <br> <br> ******************************************** <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 5.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 5.jpg"> </td> <td width="327"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 7.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 7.jpg"> </td> <td width="327"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 3.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 3.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>Operation: Adopt an Orphan for the Holidays <br> By Andrea Shearer</h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td><p class="text">Even though 2008 was a tough year in the financial world, San Diegans pulled together once again to help those less fortunate. In Operation: Adopt an Orphan for the Holidays, each child at Casa de la Esperanza was successfully adopted by students from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, staff and attorneys from the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, and a variety of other San Diego locals. Each adopted child prepared a wish list of things he or she wanted and needed. Each adopted parent then purchased and wrapped the items on their child's wish list, giving their adopted child a Christmas. </p> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15"> <tr> <td><p class="text">Many of the children prayed for peace and an end to the violence in Tijuana, while others prayed for happiness for their family members and a better future. Adopted parents were often touched by the children and went above and beyond the children's wish lists to help provide them with a Christmas. Thank you San Diego for giving a Christmas to a beautiful group of children. To read more, click <a href="CasaKids.htm">here.</a> </p> <br> </td> <td> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 4.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 4.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td width="326"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 8.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 8.jpg"> </td> <td width="327"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 9.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 9.jpg"> </td> <td width="327"> <img src="Casa Kids Xmas 2008 Photo 11.jpg" alt="Christmas 2008 Photo 11.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <br> <br> ******************************************** </td> </tr> </table> <br> <br> <table cellpadding="15" align="center"> <tr> <td align="left" width="326"> <img src="2008 Gala 5.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 5.jpg"> </td> <td align="center" width="327"> <img src="2008 Gala 1.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 1.jpg"> </td> <td align="right" width="327"> <img src="2008 Gala 4.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 4.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <br> <br> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <h2>2008 Spirit of Casa Gala: Benefiting Casa's Kids </h2> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <img src="2008 Gala 6.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 6.jpg"> </td> <td> <p class="text"> Our first ever Spirit of Casa Gala was held on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Mr. Taco in La Jolla. The event included Mexican Cuisine, live music, featured vocalist, Mary Heineman, photos by Lew Merrim, door prizes, crafts hand-made by the Casa Kids, a silent auction of goods and services donated by the community, and of course......a piñata. </p> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Event efforts were under the direction of CEO Claire Summer. The fundraiser was a success. Proceeds will go toward building a transition facility on campus for the teen-age boys. Thanks to all who donated, participated and attended. </p> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td width="326" align="left"> <img src="2008 Gala 7.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 7.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="center"> <img src="2008 Gala 2.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 2.jpg"> </td> <td width="327" align="right"> <img src="2008 Gala 3.jpg" alt="2008 Gala 3.jpg"> </td> </tr> </table> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <br> <br> ************************************************************************ <br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="graduation1.jpg" alt="graduation1"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="graduation2.jpg" alt="graduation2"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <br> <br> <h2> History in the Making: Casa de la Esperanza Celebrates Three University Graduates </h2> <br> <p class="text"> Spirit of Casa proudly congratulates Jesús Irais Patiño Díaz and Simon Patiño Díaz who both recently graduated from Universidad Tecnológica de Tijuana with degrees in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. Spirit of Casa also applauds Sarai Rebecca Lara Rivera who graduated and titled in the field of Architecture from C.U.T. University. </p> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <!--End of Casa University Graduates article--> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center"> <img src="graduation3.jpg" alt="graduation3"> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td> <br> <br> <!--Beginning of Pen Pal Project article--> <h2>Students Helping Students: The Casa de la Esperanza (House of Hope) Correspondence Project is a Huge Success</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table> <!--Row containing two cells, one for the text of the Pen Pal Project article and the picture to the right of it. Because of this, it was necessary to separate table containing the first paragraph and an image from the second paragraph.--> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Over the last few months, Spirit of Casa volunteers have assisted the children at Casa de la Esperanza with the preparation of more than 130 pen pal letters for three San Diego County schools: Earl Warren Middle School, The Rhoades School and The Bishop's School. This project was coordinated and implemented by David Cohn III, a newly appointed Spirit of Casa board member.</p> </td> <td> <img src="Home Page Pen pal 7.jpg" alt="Home Page Pen pal 7.jpg"> </td> </tr> <!--End of table containing first paragraph and picture--> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Beginning of cell that contains the second paragraph of the Pen Pal Project--> <p class="text">In turn, the three schools have sent return letters or handmade journals to the Casa children. "The students were very excited about the project and enjoyed corresponding with fellow students from another country," remarked David Cohn. To learn more, click<!--Link to the rest of the article in the Casa Kids Section--> <a href="CasaKids.htm">here</a>. </p> <br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Beginning of an article on Dr. Parker--> <h2>Dr. Melanie Parker Gives Her Heart to Casa's Kids</h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Table within cell, created again to place a picture of Dr. Parker on the left and the first paragraph of the article on the right.--> <table> <tr> <td> <!--Image of Dr. Parker--> <img src="Home Page Dr. Parker photo.jpg" style="height: 129px; width: 95px" alt="Home Page Dr. Parker photo.jpg"> </td> <td> <!--First Paragraph of Dr. Parker article--> <p class="text">Dr. Melanie Parker has maintained a longstanding tradition of helping the less fortunate in San Diego County and Mexico. Dr. Parker and her dedicated staff have generously donated seventy-five dental hygiene kits to the children at Casa de la Esperanza. Each kit was filled with love and all of the necessary items to keep Casa's kids smiling brightly into the future.</p> </td> </tr> <!--End of Table within cell and 1st paragraph--> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Beginning of 2nd paragraph--><p class="text">Dr. Parker, a founding member of the "Flying Doctors" San Francisco chapter, has historically participated in cross-border trips to rural Mexico, providing free dental care to Mexico's poor. Locally, she volunteers her time to the UCSD dental outreach program to provide care to homeless and low income families in San Diego. To learn more about Dr. Parker, visit <!--Link to Dr. Parker's official website--> <a href="http://www.drparkerortho.com/">www.drparkerortho.com</a> To read more, click <!--Link to rest of Dr. Parker article--> <a href="CasaKids.htm">here</a>. </p> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table> <tr> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="2010 Dr. Parker pic1.jpg" alt="2010 Dr. Parker pic1"> </td> <td width="490" align="center"> <img src="2010 Dr. Parker pic2.jpg" alt="2010 Dr. Parker pic2"> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td width="200" valign="top" align="center"> <table cellpadding="10"> <tr> <td> <br> <h1> Upcoming Events </h1> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Example of Upcoming Event: Spirit Gala--> <h2>Back to School at Casa de la Esperanza</h2> <p class="UEtext">August 27, 2011</p> <br> <h2>Christmas at Casa</h2> <p class="UEtext">December 25, 2011</p> <!--End of Upcoming Event Section--> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><!--Beginning of Casa Needs Section--><h1> Casa Needs</h1> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <!--Casa Needs shares a paragraph class with the Monthly Trip section. This class is entitled MT text.--> <p class="MTtext"> School in Mexico is not free as it is in our country. Kindergarten through University has a price tag. Casa boasts 12 University students, with 6 graduates! </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MTtext">But it all starts with Kinder.....and even that starts with YOU! Please find it in your heart to help underwrite education costs.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MTtext">If you wish to sponsor a child, please press <!--Link to Donate Section--> <a href="Casa Donation Form.pdf">DONATE</a> and mail your check to Spirit of Casa, Inc. at the address on the donation form. Thank you for your generosity!</p> <br> <!--End of Casa Needs Section--> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><!--Monthly Trips Section--> <h1> Monthly Trips</h1> <p class="MTtext">Our group makes monthly trips to Casa on the fourth Saturday of each month. Our most special trip of the year is Christmas morning. Please join us sometime!</p> <h1>*Passports are required - June 1, 2009* </h1> <!--End of Monthly Trips Section--> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <!--End of Middle Column--> <!--Beginning of Footer Section--> <br> <center> <table width="900"> <tr> <td> <p class="contacttext"> Please e-mail us at mail@spiritofcasa.org with any questions or comments. </p> <br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="text">Spirit of Casa, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charity Organization created & established in 2002 to serve the needs of Casa de la Esperzanza Orphanage, Tijuana, B.C. Mexico.</p> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <!--End of Body Section--> </body> <!--End of HTML Section--> </html>