2010 Events and Fundraisers
Funds collected will help support PATA's spay/neuter clinics
Charity Poker Tournament and Silent Auction
11 February, 2010
This year's auction and poker tournament raised $37,000 pesos! Those funds will go a long way to support free spay/neuter clinics. It's actually enough money to fund more than 150 surgeries, making a nice dent in Manzanillo's street population.
Poker
Bennie and Grace
Our second annual, no-limit Texas Hold 'Em poker night was held at Oasis Ocean Club, in Club Santiago. The original scheduled meet, a week earlier, was rained out, but most of the contestants showed up to play on the later date, undaunted.
Last year's big winners, knowing that the other contestants would be gunning for them, arrived wearing targets on their T-shirts. A light-hearted tone was set for the tournament, but the competition was tough, just the same.
Winners who advanced to the final table
The poker tournament brought out Manzanillo's top poker enthusiasts, who kept the tables and amazing volunteer-dealers hopping. Tournament director, Chantel Oleksin, did an amazing job of organizing, and pulled it all together, despite the floods of the previous week.
Grace and Chantel
The following were the top five winners along with their prizes:
- Grace "Poker Shark" McKormick: Two-night stay for two adults at Boca de Iguanas EcoResort in La Manzanilla on the Costalegre;
- Glen Brown: $1,000 peso gift certificate for La Pergola Restaurant;
- Bob Brown: Massage therapy gift certicate valued at $800 pesos;
- Art Woodruff: Brunch for 2 at Pepe's Hideaway in La Punta; and
- Gerardo Valdes: Dinner for 2 at El Fogon.
Chantel presenting the prizes to the winners, (l to r) Glen, Bob, Art and Gerardo
As the poker players concentrated on their cards, supporters were also able to bid on an outstanding array of donated items in our fifth annual silent auction. Donated items from week-long condo stays to hand-made quilted tote bags were available at auction.
All profits from the poker tournament and the silent and on-line auction will go towards PATA Manzanillo's spay/neuter programs. The upcoming 5-day volume clinic projected cost is $6,250 US dollars. The benefit of such a clinic is immeasurable; hundreds of animals will be spayed and neutered. The community will profit through healthier, cleaner, safer streets; and the animals will live safer and healthier lives.
Thank you donors, players and bidders for your support!
Pet Calendar
22 October, 2010
The 2010 pet calendar
The 2010 pet calendar hit the streets in October of 2009. Sales were brisk for the Christmas season, but soon slowed as the months of the new year ticked off.
By mid-summer, demand had understandably fallen off, so the original price of $200 pesos was slashed by half. Still, demand dried up and PATA's profit barely covered printing costs.
Ever optimistic about its profitablility, PATA's #1 calendar designer and promoter, Renee, has already gathered twelve new pet pictures from the Manzanillo area for next year's offering. Below is a sneak preview of the cover.
Going to press, the 2011 calendar
Renee spot-lighted Garrapata, the 3-legged Dalmation, on 2011's cover because he is "such a powerful image of nobility, strength and pride." He's also a winner, as you'll see when you read his story. Eleven additional unique stories will be told in the new calendar, accompanied by pictures submitted by proud owners.
The 2011 calendar will be on sale in time for Christmas. What better way to share Manzanillo with friends and family?! Here's more information about the calendars.
