Page 9 - AHATA

A8 LOCAL
Friday 16 February 2024

Comedian Aruba Ray Ellin does his popular shows in Aruba for

tourists, while helping the local kids

pAdvisor’s Number One “Nightlife in September 2021, when Miss And while Ellin was moved by Koe-
Activity” in Aruba, as well as the Koegel started the initiative with gel's plea on social media, this
Number “One Show.” And twice Aruban resident Charlotte Wolff wasn't the first time he has come
Aruba Ray’s was named as USA Croes, who was the owner of to aid causes in Aruba. Over the
Today’s “10 Best.” Ellin‘s hilarious "The Homeschool@Paradera". Af- years he has donated his services
shows feature himself and two or ter Miss Croes passed away, taxi as a host and comedian to raise
three US comedians from Amer- driver Robert Croes is helping Miss money for the Animal Relief Foun-
ica’s Got Talent, Netflix, HBO and Koegel collect and distribute the dation (ARF), the Aruban Special
Comedy Central. books. The program expanded to Olympics team, and during the
other schools; to date, eight differ- pandemic, when zero income was
He moved the comedy club last ent MAVO schools have received coming in to the Aruban econ-
year to a new location in Eagle close to 2,000 books. omy, Ellin produced online com-
Beach, where the Eagle Casino edy shows from his home in New
used to be, inside the same build- It is an enormous undertaking for York City, donating all of the ticket
ing as Double Down restaurant. “I Miss Koegel to facilitate this pro- sales, raising thousands of dollars
love this new location,” said Ellin. gram - she collects books from to benefit The Happy To Give Back
various sources in America, has to Foundation.
“The Eagle Resort did a fantastic deliver them to people in America
renovation, making the club as who are en route to Aruba, and In June, Ellin will be hosting a com-
good as any in New York City.” then arrange for distribution to the edy show in New York, to benefit
Aruban schools. She does this for the dog rescue One Love Founda-
"I have known Ray for about 12 no pay, and spends her own mon- tion.
Last year, comedian Ray Ellin—also years now, and it still amazes me ey to do so—but she thinks it is well
known as Aruba Ray—saw a face- to see this caliber of entertainment worth it. Ellin wants other visitors to Aruba
book post from US social worker in Aruba,” said Eagle Aruba Resort to assist in this cause. "People who
and frequent Aruba visitor Jenni- GM Richard Roy. “The shows are "The overwhelming response to this love Aruba can easily help. Just
fer Koegel, asking for books to be as good or better than any clubs I project has exceeded my expec- call Jennifer Koegel in the United
donated to Aruban schools. He have seen in the United States from tations. The respect for this project States at 201-704-5415. Or come to
leaped into action, immediately NY, Chicago, Atlanta, and LA.” It's has been evidence that Aruba has a show and bring books!”
purchasing over 100 books, mostly a must see show whenever you are the best travelers who are com-
classic literature, and asking at- in Aruba.” mitted to helping the community. You can visit Aruba Ray’s Com-
tendees of his very popular “Aruba Through networking, I have made edy on Facebook or Instagram, as
Ray’s Comedy Club” to consider Ellin's love for Aruba runs deep, so so many new friends and proven well as www.rayellin.com or www.
bringing books to the shows. much so that the front door of his that small contributions can quick- arubacomedy.com to learn more
home in NYC is painted with the ly make a significant impact." about Ellin, comedy, or books.
The response was phenomenal, Aruban flag.
and Ellin delivered them himself to
the principal and students at the And he said getting involved with
C.G. Abraham De Veer School. His the book project was an easy de-
collection of books has continued. cision. "My oldest sister taught me
how to read when I was three
Earlier this year, Ellin knocked on years old. In elementary school,
the door of the Imeldahof orphan- my mother took my sisters and me
age in Aruba, asking Director Mirta to the library every week to pick
Leon, “Hi, I’d like to donate a li- out different books. My other sister
brary. Would you like it?” Hundreds ended up becoming a very suc-
of books have now gone to the cessful writer. I loved getting lost
orphanage, in addition to loads of in the different worlds created by
school supplies he collected from Beverly Cleary and Robert Cormi-
generous schoolteachers in the er and Judy Blume. I was lucky to
States. He has also collected mon- have this in my life. Without ques-
ey from some very generous Amer- tion, reading is one of the most im-
icans who love Aruba, to contrib- portant and valuable things for kids
ute to building a new jungle gym to be doing. And when I heard that
at the orphanage. there were Aruban kids without ac-
cess to these wonderful books, I im-
Ellin recently celebrated his ten mediately wanted to help."
year anniversary of doing his com-
edy shows in Aruba. They are Tri- This book project was launched