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Monday 7 March 2022 locAl
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Ray Ellin also known as Aruba Ray makes a meaningful donation

to C.G. Abraham De Veer School

Article written by Willis Fermin and me to the library every
San Nicolas - When come- week to pick out different
dian Ray Ellin, also known books. My other sister end-
as Aruba Ray, saw a face- ed up becoming a very
book post from US social successful writer. I loved
worker and frequent Aruba getting lost in the different
visitor Jennifer Koegel, ask- worlds created by Beverly
ing for books to be donat- Cleary and Robert Corm-
ed to Aruban schools, he ier and Judy Blume. I was
put down the microphone, students at the C.G. Abra- lucky to have this in my life.
and leaped into action. ham De Veer School. Without question, reading is
one of the most important
The comedian immediately Ellin's love for Aruba runs and valuable things for kids own money to do so - but dollars to benefit The Happy
purchased over a hundred deep, so much so that to be doing. And when I she thinks it is well worth it. To Give Back Foundation.
books on Miss Koegel's list the front door of his home heard that there were Aru- Ellin did these shows while
of classic literature, with in NYC is painted with the ban kids without access to "The overwhelming re- grieving the sudden loss of
titles from authors including Aruban flag. And he said these wonderful books, I im- sponse to this project has the same sister that taught
Jane Austen, Harper Lee, getting involved with the mediately wanted to help." exceeded my expecta- him to read as a small child.
JD Salinger, John Grisham, book project was an easy tions. The respect for this She unexpectedly passed
Charlotte Bronte, and decision. "My oldest sister This book project was project has been evidence away two weeks before
dozens more. He person- taught me how to read launched in September that Aruba has the best the first lockdown in the US.
ally carried them down to when I was three years 2021, when Miss Koegel travelers who are commit-
Aruba, and delivered them old. In elementary school, started the initiative with ted to helping the commu- Ellin wants other visitors to
himself to the principal and my mother took my sisters Aruban resident Char- nity. Through networking, I Aruba to assist in this cause.
lotte Wolff Croes, who was have made so many new "People who love Aruba
the owner of "The Home- friends and proven that can easily help. Just call
school@Paradera". Miss small contributions can Jennifer Koegel in the Unit-
Croes passed away in Jan- quickly make a significant ed States at 201-704-5415.
uary, and now taxi driver impact." Every book counts!
Robert Croes is helping Miss
Koegel collect and dis- And while Ellin was moved And Ellin has asked his fel-
tribute the books. The pro- by Koegel's plea on social low comedians to get in-
gram expanded to other media, this wasn't the first volved as well. Each co-
schools; to date, eight dif- time he has come to aid median who performs at
ferent MAVO schools have causes in Aruba. Over the his Aruba Ray's Comedy
received close to 2,000 years he has donated his Shows has been asked to
books. services as a host and co- bring books with them to
median to raise money Aruba. In return, Ellin gives
It is an enormous undertak- for the Animal Relief Foun- each comedian an acai
ing for Miss Koegel to fa- dation (ARF), the Aruban bowl from Eduardo's Beach
cilitate this program - she Special Olympics team, Shack.
collects books from various and during the pandemic,
sources in America, has to when zero income was "This is more than a fair
deliver them to people in coming in to the Aruban deal," laughed Ellin. "The
America who are en route economy, Ellin produced kids will feel good, and
to Aruba, and then arrange online comedy shows from the comedian will feel
for distribution to the Aru- his home in New York City, good. The only thing bet-
ban schools. She does this donating all of the ticket ter? Reading a great novel
for no pay, and spends her sales, raising thousands of WHILE eating the acai."

Ray Ellin’s “Aruba Ray’s
Comedy Show” is officially
TripAdvisor's most popu-
lar nightlife activity and
show in Aruba. Visit www.
rayellin.com or www.aru-
bacomedy.com to learn
more about Ellin, comedy,
or books.