It’s been a number of years since I blogged the Salvation Army Kids dancing in the park. Last year I didn’t know they were coming and although I managed to donate I didn’t attend the performance. This year I knew and as well John and Sheri who organized the event sent out a notice the day before to remind us. A very good idea!
The performance was to start at 4:30 but they were a little late as one of the girls was injured at the previous performance and went for a check-up at Sharp Hospital. Not serious…just precautionary. These kids dance their hearts out all through the Christmas season to raise most of the money for their part of the yearly budjet. The home is not supported by any government agency but is assisted in various ways with charities from Mexico, the USA and Canada. They have 31 children in the home and since we first saw them some 8 or 9 years ago the same people have been running the home with the assistance of other Mexican workers.
The dances start…and we had a very good turnout.
There were five dances with each one from a different state in Mexico.
Lovely young lady!
They do enjoy themselves and have a smile on their faces but…it is hard work!
How lucky they are in many respects to be part of such a kind and caring organization. One of the young men who just graduated has a sponsor who is paying for his University education. Two other young ladies who are twins now have braces on their teeth. Some of the children have individual sponsors to help them move forward in life. Education is definitely the answer.
The older girls were quite proficient.
This dance required balancing a cup on the head.
To start with I though velcro might be involved until a cup from the dancer in blue fell to the ground!
You can see the couple on the right who look after the children. It was explained that a few children had been returned to their families this summer and although they were sad to see them go they were also very happy for them. Sometimes they are removed because of abuse, sometimes drugs and sometimes the family just can’t feed them. If they are lucky they end up in this home.
Here the children are introducing themselves ….in English and also telling us how old they are. This little fellow is five and is the youngest child of the Mexican family that lives and works at the home. Yes….he did steal everyone’s heart!
Some didn’t stumble at all and it was interesting to hear their ages.
A real showman.
The fellow in the middle is only 14 but very tall.
Aren’t they lovely.
Now for the girls.
They all tried very hard.
Just adorable.
And now for “ Feliz Navidad.” This is a favorite for the children and they sing with great gusto!
They are waving their arms from left to right and I thought they were all looking at something behind me….
Well….they were. The little boy’s father was moving his arms to keep them in time. Funny!
These two did a break dance at one point but I missed it.
All the Grammas just wanted to snuggle him.
At one point in the performance many of us were coaxed onto the floor for an impromptu dance….even me!
Sheri has her table all set up with hot dogs, juice, apples and a treat for each child. She and John organize the event and donate the food with a little help from their friends. Nice job!
Ruth brought her little Mexican rescue dog “ Bella “ and the kids were just thrilled with her. They are ever so gentle petting her.
Bella hasn’t had much contact with kids and she is quite young but she was very patient.
While the girls waited to be fed they took the time to practise for their next performance which is likely after they leave here. No crabby faces, no fighting just smiles and happiness. How refreshing!
She’s petting Bella….isn’t she sweet.
I would guess that the children don’t have a dog judging by the way they were so enamoured with Bella and Boscoe.
At the end of Eddie’s leash is a little Yorkie which they got to pat as well. He was busy lickin them all!
Time to eat.
They children all lined up.
Girls first. They all politely took their food and moved out of the way to eat.
I thing she’s saying yum! They haven’t had dinner yet so this is a perfect opportunity to fuel them up.
Chatting and eating!
Time for everyone to head back to their rigs for happy hour and dinner. A lovely performance and when they passed around the donation basket in the middle of the show everyone got a chance to show their appreciation and donate to a very worthy cause. I hope they were all generous.
Back home and it’s quiet….all the workers have finished for the day.
Pretty evening.
Another good day!
Great post on the event. I felt like I was there. A one point we hosted the group here at Tres Amigos RV Park for a few years.
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