Heather in Paradise » Charity

Bomberos’ Three Legged Race Video

heatherinparadise — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:02:57 +0000

I know it’s been months now since the Three Legged Race/Bar Crawl Fundraiser for the Riviera Maya Bomberos, but I’ve just now been given the resulting video of the event, made by my talented friend, Ken Brownlee, of Visual Media Productions. Can you spot Sara and me?

If you’d like to learn more about the history and current mission/goals of the Riviera Maya Bomberos organization, here is a video of the incomparable Comandante/Director Brian Borjesson

Thanks again, from the bottom of my heart, for your continued support of the Riviera Maya Bomberos. Hopefully we will never need them, but it’s reassuring to know we’ve got them on our side.

Last call before Sara and Heather drink too much alcohol!!

heatherinparadise — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:57:21 +0000

We’re just three days away from the annual Three Legged Race/Bar Crawl to benefit the Riviera Maya Bomberos.

The struggling economy has proved difficult for fundraising this year, and it’s fairly apparent we’re not going to meet or exceed last year’s donation total, but we’re still pretty stoked that we’ve raised a total of 1,422 usd to date!!! Yay, you people!

If any of you are in town, you MUST come down to La Ranita Bar, part of La Rana Cansada hotel on Calle 10 between avenidas 5 and 10, starting at 7 pm. Will this be the year that Heather’s “no-puke streak” ends? Only time will tell.

There’s still time to help our hardworking, life-risking firefighters earn money for needed equipment and training! No donation is too big or too small, every single centavo helps.

And remember, the highest individual donor gets to go on a date with Sara and Heather!

If you’d like to sponsor our team and raise money for Firemen who desperately need you, please donate by going to www.PayPal.com and clicking on the link that says “send money.” Then just follow the prompts to donate directly to us by using the following email address:

info@caribesunrise.com

Please be sure to write in your comments/subject line “Three Legged Race.” We will keep you updated with donation totals.

For further information or to register your team please call: 984-135-1233 or e-mail:

kegsbar@hotmail.com

We are also taking business/corporate sponsors!! Contact us at info@caribesunrise.com or editor@playamayanews.com if you’d like to be mentioned on Playa Maya News, Playa.info, and Heather in Paradise!!

You Are Powerless To Resist

heatherinparadise — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:01:23 +0000

Since my BFF Sara already started a “detox” diet and I started one today, we decided together to have a “last stand” at her house last Saturday. Hilarity ensued.

When I saw the photos we took of our wine/Almond Joy/gummi bear/Hershey’s bacchanalia, I couldn’t help but think that these photos would show all of our Three Legged Race sponsors just what an Olympics-quality team they’re standing behind.

For anyone considering sponsoring us, don’t miss your chance to win a date with these chicas by being the highest individual donor; they truly know how to have a good time. Our friend Maureen saw these photos and said we remind her of Lucy and Ethel. That was one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever gotten…Sara and I crack each other up.

I don’t feeeel so good.

I’m not sleeping, I’m just resting my eyes.

Do we have anything in our teeth?

info@caribesunrise.com

Please be sure to write in your comments/subject line “Three Legged Race.” We will keep you updated with donation totals.

For further information or to register your team please call: 984-135-1233 or e-mail:

kegsbar@hotmail.com

Dinner for Dollars, a Three Legged Race Sponsorship Incentive

heatherinparadise — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:38:11 +0000

Ok, I can see that this year, with the economy in the shitter, I’m going to have to incentivize y’all’s sponsorship of our Bomberos Three Legged Race team for the fundraising bar crawl on March 20.

Sara and I, two of the finest and most obnoxious chicks in Playa, will take the highest individual donor out for a dinner date at El Fogon restaurant the next time they are in Playa.

Check these bitches out. You can’t find a better deal than this on no mofo craigslist.

info@caribesunrise.com

Please be sure to write in your comments/subject line “Three Legged Race.” We will keep you updated with donation totals.

For further information or to register your team please call: 984-135-1233 or e-mail:

kegsbar@hotmail.com

Annual Three Legged Bar Crawl to Benefit Bomberos!!

heatherinparadise — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:23:43 +0000

What, it’s that time of the year ALREADY?! Many of you may recall that I am a willing participant each year in the Three Legged Bar Crawl that benefits Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya’s Bomberos (Firefighters)…and each year, generous sponsors, including the fine forum members and readers of Playa.info and Playa Maya News have helped my teammate, Playa Maya News Sara, and I to raise money for much-needed equipment and training. Firemen here get paid a fairly paltry salary by the government, and must raise money to get any equipment/training beyond the bare minimum.

In his years acting as Comandante of the Bomberos, my friend Brian Borjesson has taken a small and ill-equipped fireteam and created a knowledgeable and well-trained department. In addition, he has favorably impacted the training and supplies/equipment of fire departments throughout Quintana Roo. He has done this through the help of some US firefighters from Colorado and California, who come down each year with donations and their top-shelf expertise to train the Bomberos of Quintana Roo at a Fireman’s Academy. This weeklong training exercise is often the only training our firemen will get all year, so its importance cannot be overstated.

In past years, our area was gifted with Jaws of Life for several departments. With the horrific accidents that occur on the highway here, this equipment has already proved invaluable. The annual Bomberos’ Academies focus on training our firemen how to use their newly donated/purchased equipment, and their demonstrations of these techniques at the Fireman’s Competitions are inspiring to watch.

The time for the infamous Three Legged Bar Crawl/Bomberos Fundraiser is again upon us. Here are the details of this year’s event:

When: Friday, March 20.
Time: 7 pm
Starting/ending bar: La Ranita bar on Calle 10 between 5th and 10th (part of the Hotel La Rana Cansada)

Participating bars include:
Bar Ranita
Babe’s Noodles and Bar
Manne’s Biergarten
Dirty Martini
Bad Boys on the beach
Tequila Barrel
Zenzi
Tequila Barrel

Registered teams must raise at least 600 pesos in donations. Part of this 600 pesos will go to purchase the drinks for the teams, with the balance going to help raise funds for the upcoming Bombero’s Academy. Obviously, the more money raised, the better!

As last year, there is no set pattern/order that you must run in, but you must simply visit each bar on your list at some point, consume a shot of tequila or a beer, then get your race card signed/initialed by the staff member in charge at each bar.

Sara’s and my goal this year is to raise more than last year’s team total of an amazing 3,800 usd…what do you think, can we do it?

We wore silly getups, does anyone remember them?

Last year, my “gimp in a wheelchair” status caused some disgruntled sourpusses to pooh-pooh our participation, so I want to make it clear that I will be actually RUNNING with Sara this year, barring any unforeseen accidents between now and then, of course. I’ll have my RIGHT leg tied, however, since my left ankle healed improperly and I still limp. Even with a LIMP I’m still bad ass, y’all. Fear me.

As is par for the course, we will be wearing some sort of interesting costume. If you can come out to see what we’re planning this year, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

If any of you are interested in helping Sara and me to collect money for this event, please donate by going to www.PayPal.com and clicking on the link that says “send money.” Then just follow the prompts to donate directly to us by using the following email address:

info@caribesunrise.com

Please be sure to write in your comments/subject line “Three Legged Race.” We will keep you updated with donation totals.

For further information or to register your team please call: 984-135-1233 or e-mail:

kegsbar@hotmail.com

P.S. I do NOT promise not to make any jokes that others will find “offensive” in my blog recap of this hilarious event. So suck it.

Help Get FREE Money for the Peanut Pet Shelter!

heatherinparadise — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:31:46 +0000

My friend Susie submitted our beloved Peanut Pet Shelter for consideration in the American Express Member’s Project 2008 competition. She was thrilled to find out her entry was approved, and now the shelter has a chance to win some of the 2.5 million usd American Express will be giving to winning projects.

Now, the 80+ dogs and cats that are being cared for at the Peanut Pet Shelter need your help, and it’s so easy to do it and won’t cost you a penny.

To nominate this project for potential funding, please go to Peanut Pet Shelter

Members Project is an exciting initiative that brings people together to make a difference in the world. It’s simple. People go online to share ideas for projects — and ultimately vote on which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express.

You must register with your name and email address to be able to nominate the shelter, and while I know many of you might not care to give out your email address, American Express has stringent anti-spamming policies and won’t sell your information.

Please take a minute of your time and nominate the Peanut Pet Shelter and then send the link to everyone on your contact list asking them to do the same. Even winning the LEAST amount of money would be an almost otherworldly boon for the struggling shelter.

HURRY–we only have until September 1 to get the gazillions of nominations they need!

Thank you for helping to give shelter to starving, sick, and mistreated animals.

Bomberos Catamaya Cruise cancelled

heatherinparadise — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:51:03 +0000

I’m sad to report that the Bomberos Cruise scheduled for August 24 has been cancelled due to low ticket sales. This low season has been tough all around, but I commend Catamaya‘s owner, Fabio, for his generosity and the organizers of this event for their efforts to help the Riviera Maya Bomberos.

This doesn’t mean the Bomberos aren’t an important cause and that Playa del Carmen doesn’t value its fire team, of course. Souvenir t-shirt sales are a great way you can help support our resident heroes. Locally, t-shirts can be purchased from Gar, who sets up shop daily on the ferry pier in PdC, or from Mayte, who mans (wo-mans?) a table on 5th avenue between calles 6 and 8 (near the Burger King) at night. Non-Playenses can now buy t-shirts online here.

Bomberos Catamaya Sunset Cruise 2008

heatherinparadise — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:08:05 +0000

As many of you already know from past blogs (like the Three Legged Bar Crawl for Bomberos), the Riviera Maya Bomberos (firemen) are one of my favorite organizations. A strong, trained, and well-equipped fire team is vitally important to not only Playenses, but also tourists. Sooner or later, we all have a fireman to whom we owe a great big “thank you.”

Since August 22 is Mexico’s Dia Nacional del Bombero (National Fireman’s Day), a Sunset Cruise aboard the Catamaya has been organized for Sunday, August 24, with all proceeds from ticket sales to benefit the Riviera Maya Bomberos.

The cruise aboard the amazing Catamaya costs 80 usd per person and will sail from 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm. This price includes transportation to and from Playa del Carmen, sailing, snorkeling, open bar, and hamburgers/side dishes. I’ve been lucky enough to sail with Catamaya’s crew several times and can say nothing but wonderful things about them. They are hard-working, pleasant, friendly, and a barrel of fun.

For more information or to sign up, click here.

Don’t miss your chance to mingle with Bomberos Chief Brian Borjesson and some of his firemen…hey, ladies, maybe you’ll get to see this guy:

*Edited to add: any of my blogger friends want to go on this, let me know!!

Dogs ‘n Blogs logos!

heatherinparadise — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:32:38 +0000

The lovely and talented Jan really outdid herself! She made three separate logos, one for each of the kennels we sponsored for the Peanut Pet Shelter, and included every donor’s first name on one of the three logos. These will be made into plaques and affixed to “our” three kennels.

Get a load of these babies! Bravo, Jan!!

Peanut Pet Shelter Puppy Pics

heatherinparadise — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:53:42 +0000

I wanted to share some recent photos from Andy and Jen. These are the faces of the animals you have helped rescue.

Patch, who was rescued from the city’s dog pound, where all animals are executed after three days. They have no funds to feed the animals, so they go to their deaths scared AND hungry. Andy and Jen visit the pound when they have space available and try to rescue dogs they believe have a chance at being rehomed. The pound’s director is a kind woman who does the best she can with what little she is given to work with.

New batch of puppies that came in, and their patient mama

Oh, you darling thing.

Wayne, remember these puppies? Lookie the little white guy, how he’s grown! With his curly hair he looks like a little sheep…I want him!!

The last batch of puppies above were left outside the shelter’s gate inside this bird cage. Can you believe it?
Here are some of the shelter’s longer-term residents:

Pogo on the right and Vero on the left. Pogo came to the shelter with a badly healed machete wound where apparently someone had tried to take his head off. Vero is so cute, her markings make her look as if she has a different dog’s head on her body.

Big Boy Thor, the gentle giant. Formerly abused and now with a permanent, loving home with Andy and Jen.

Trina…doesn’t she look like she’s smiling?

That was just a special treat for everyone, I think they all wanted to thank you for everything you did for the shelter. Enjoy your Monday–I hate Mondays myself, but these pics just put me in a better mood.