ALTERNATIVE GIFTS INTERNATIONAL and US!!

I'm sure that many of you are familiar with Alternative Gifts International and their annual catalog highlighting many non-profit organizations. In their own words, "Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization that inspires support for humanitarian and environmental causes. We offer donors the option to designate charitable gifts through carefully selected agencies in the name of their relatives, friends and associates."

We are delighted to be included in the Alternative Gifts International catalog this year. It was an honor to be selected and see our name in print with some very high profile organizations. The catalog is a tribute to so many people who are working hard to improve our world.

We are so thankful that our work is receiving this wonderful recognition. To AGI we say "¡MIL GRACIAS!

If you would like more information, AGI will shortly have a link on our "About Us" page. We also have a few of the catalogs left if you would like to request one.

Judith

Spotlight on Soroptimist International of Sequim

We owe a debt of gratitude to Soroptimist International of Sequim for their continuing support these past four years. When we first started our work, they gave us a donation letting us know that they believed in what we were doing. Every year since, at our Día de Muertos celebration, another check arrived. This year, Kathleen DeJong, presented Mujeres with a generous $500.

In addition to financial support, SI of Sequim has invited Judith twice to speak about the work of the foundation.

Kathy Purcell puts together a terrific monthly newsletter for SI. She is so conscientious about including news of Mujeres almost every month. Her articles are creatively laid out with photos so they are appealing to the eye.
She does us a great service in keeping SI members apprised of what we are doing. Thank you, Kathy.

We are linked on their website, and now we have linked SI on ours.

Mil gracias, Soroptimist International of Sequim for accompanying us on our journey to provide access to education to our sisters in Chiapas.

LA CELEBRACION DEL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2009

Acabamos de tener nuestro cuarto evento para celebrar El Día de Los Muertos. Fue todo el éxito. ¡Las personas que nos apoyan son las mejores! La cena, creada y cocinada por Molly Rivard y Ankur Shah, era muy sabrosa. Por primera vez había música durante la comida. La subasta fue grande y diversa con una selección extrardinaria de cosas.

Mil gracias a los voluntarios que vinieron y donaron su tiempo y esfuerzo. Sin Uds, no sería posible este evento.

Les agradecomos mucho a los individuales, los músicos, los negocios y las organizaciones que nos donaron cosas para la cena y para la subasta. Hay una lista completa de ellos en la versión inglesa de este blog.

En esta época de recesión, nuestros amigos de nuevo nos mostraron su generosidad en asistir a nuestra celebración y además en abrir sus carteras para comprar.

Les puedo asegurar de que las mujeres en Chiapas van a agradecerles otra vez para su apoyo y les prometimos que vamos a continuar trabajando diligentemente por ellas.


Saludos cordiales de Judith

DIA DE MUERTOS CELEBRATION OCTOBER 2009

Wow! This year's Dia de Muertos Celebration, our 4th, was the best ever. Mujeres supporters enjoyed a wonderful meal, a lively band, a diverse silent and live auction and the company of good friends. Our menu was created by Molly Rivard (one of our board members and food expert) and by Ankur Shah (a staunch supporter, our website guru, acclaimed chef and all around global citizen.) 125 dinners were served.

Volunteers abounded. Thank you one and all for all your time and effort. We appreciate you immensely.

Those of you who donated to our auctions are wonderful! Mil gracias to:

Nash's Produce whose organic vegetables make our vegetarian meal the best!
Wildwood Farm for their generous food donation.
Port Townsend Creamery who make the most delicious cheese!
Raven's Brew Coffee (Deadman's Reach blend) who provided us with coffee for the event in addition to a great auction item of coffee and a teeshirt! (This is my new favorite coffee!!)
The Sequim Lavender Growers Association and Cathy Angel for the most gorgeous bag of lavender products!
Mary Norton for the most gorgeous Day of the Dead quilt!
Melissa Penic for a fused glass platter to die for!
Magdalena Bassett for a 12 student class of tamale making! What a great idea!
Martha Lumia for two of her wonderful handbag creations.
Pheryl Montroy for original cards of her painting of a Maya cross.
Renaissance in Port Angeles for the basket of two pounds of fair trade coffee.
Gilberto Molina for the beautifully sewn laptop bag.
Vicki Coons for the auction popular Mexican statues.

A special thank you goes to the band who provided us with great Mexican music during dinner.
Steve Gilchrist, Ron Munro, Waynne Shields and Jenny James...you guys were great!

In a time of recession and worry, you, dear supporters, opened your hearts and your wallets and have given to the women of Chiapas more than you can imagine. We, the Mujeres Board, are humbled and grateful for this support.

Judith