Page 11 - AHATA

A13
Friday 2 March 2018

Beach Volleyball to Help Local Community

By Linda Reijnders
EAGLE BEACH - Michelle
Begin is from Ottawa, Can-
ada, and is a true loyal
visitor of our Happy Island
for 38 years already. She
is not the standard tourist
though, Michelle, alias ‘Ms.
Canada,’ has a heart for
the people of Aruba. She
dedicates her time here to
raise funds for those who
need support. “It makes
me happy to see other
people happy. To make a
difference in somebody’s
life is my drive. I have al-
ways done charity work,
I have the need to give.
It’s in my nature.”Join her
good-hearted initiative this
Sunday by participating in
the 7th Annual Beach Vol-
leyball Tournament on Ea-
gle Beach. All raised funds
will benefit several founda-
tions and good causes.

The foundation Ambiente
Feliz, a residential home for
mentally disabled above
18-years-old is one of the
beneficial foundations.
Cas di Machi takes care
of the elderly as a senior
citizen home and there is
also the football club FC
San Nicolas that needs sup-
port for their little ones. Mrs.
Palmer & MS. Canada’s
Soup Kitchen will receive
donations to continue pro-
viding their delicious soups
to those who do not have
enough to fill their stomach.
“Especially children are
our target group, because
there should be no child
suffering from an empty
stomach”, says Michelle.
By purchasing a ticket for help him by achieving his encountered. We tourists
the Beach Volleyball Tour- wishes on the list.” do not go further than the
nament you support the high rise zone and that is
above mentioned institu- Generous Community a shame. If we just give 1
tions, but MS Canada also Michelle’s story began percent of our vacation
has a wish list for one indi- when she fell in love with expenses to support good
vidual. “Rechinel Statie is the island 38 years ago. “I causes, we keep this island
a young man of 17 years came here for vacation happy for everybody. Just
old. He got paralyzed after and 31 years long I en- see what you can do for
a car accident and feels joyed the people, restau- seniors or children, don’t
ripped out of life. He was rants and beaches. I had close your eyes.
an active sportsman in the no idea there was such a
BMX world, now he is in a need in social aspect, I did
wheelchair. I would like to not expect the poverty I Continued on Page 14