FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

Another wonderful Christmas Party at Hekab Be!!

For the first year we had a Mexican Santa Claus, Fernando Perez, who is a long-term CEA volunteer. Since he speaks Spanish, he could really grill the kids about whether they were naughty or nice this past year! According to him, they all said they were nice, so they all got presents.

A good little girl receives her present from Santa

(click on photos to see larger image)

We had around 80 kids, all of whom received presents, and over 100 people (kids plus moms, aunts, etc.). Everyone had fun watching Santa and enjoying the refreshments-- agua de tamarindo, ham & cheese sandwiches, chips, an orange and yummy cake.

A full house at Hekab Be's Christmas party

Kids waiting patiently for their turn to see Santa

Maggie did a great job organizing all the volunteers and getting all the pieces in place for a smoothly run party, the best yet!

SPECIAL THANKS to our loyal supporters: Laura & David Wolfe (Hotel Club Akumal Caribe Villas Maya) for the donation to help purchase food for the party, Jen & Bart Smith (Turtle Bay Cafe) for donating an enormous cake and to Didier Jackson (Akumal resident) for taking photos of all the kids as they sat on Santa's lap, which he will give a print of to every single child!!

And muchas gracias to all our Santa's little helpers who came to help prepare sandwiches, wrap presents, serve food and do whatever else was needed: Shirley & Dave from Texas, Bud & Alice of Casa Zama, Linda of Aventuras Akumal, Judy & Grant from Canada, Tammy, Marcia, Bobby Sapia & Hilario Hiler, all of Akumal.

And of course, to all our supporters who brought gifts for the children.
We couldn't do it without y'all! Thanks for helping to set such a wonderful example of giving during the holiday season.

Santa's elves help wrap some last minute gifts.

Even the nappers got to visit with Santa!

Wishing everyone very Happy Holidays from all of us at Hekab Be!

Please note the library will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec 30-Jan 1. We will be open our regular hours (9-12 Mon-Sat and 3-5 Mon-Fri) all other days. Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings will continue to be held even when the library is closed, though they may take a day off for Christmas. AA meetings are Mon-Sat from 8:30-10pm.
Please do not leave donations outside the library, we cannot assure their safety. Please try to come when the library is open, or donations may be left with Rene or Charlene at Super Chomak.