Page 20 - AHATA

A16 LOCAL
Saturday 13 april 2019

Ms Canada’s Charity with a Heart for Aruba

EAGLE BEACH - Michelle is not the standard tourist raising funds for those who
Begin is from Ottawa, Can- though, Michelle, alias ‘Ms. need support. “It makes
ada, and is a truly loyal Canada,’ has a heart for me happy to see other
visitor of our Happy Island the people of Aruba. She people happy. To make a
for the last 38 years. She dedicates her time here for 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.”
came here for vacation high need for support. “I did
Some of her good-hearted and 31 years long I en- not know about the chil-
initiatives this year are the joyed the people, restau- dren’s home Casa Cuna
decoration of a senior’s rants and beaches. I had but my first year I bought
home she adopted and no idea there was such a for $1,000 dollars clothes,
the Flatstone Ball Park that need in social aspect, I did toys and so on.” She felt
is adopted by the founda- not expect the poverty I empowered and came
tion to beautify it. Founda- encountered. We tourists up with the idea of the
tion Ambiente Feliz and do not go further than the Beach Volley tournament.
Mrs. Canada & Mrs. Palm- high rise zone and that is “I needed teams and put
er’s Soup Kitchen are al- a shame. If we just give 1 banners in hotels, I asked
ways part of the goals that percent of our vacation different organizations and
Ms. Canada sets. Yearly a expenses to support good businesses for food, snacks,
Beach Volleyball Tourna- causes, we keep this island and drinks. The sponsors
ment is organized where all happy for everybody. Just are simply great. We have
funds raised will benefit sev- see what you can do for a generous community,
eral foundations and good seniors or children, don’t thank God.”
causes. close your eyes.” For her it Visit the Ms Canada’s
all changed when she par- Charity in Aruba Facebook
Generous Community ticipated in the Carnaval page and check out all the
Michelle’s story began Parade years ago. That’s wonderful projects she has
when she fell in love with where she met the locals been doing on the island of
the island 38 years ago. “I and realized there was a Aruba. q