Good Deeds – A Christmas Night Under the Stars at CALA

2022/2023 John Chalmers

By John Chalmers on the Winter 2022/2023 Edition

The spirit of Christmas was clearly evident on December 17 when Casa Hogar Los Angelitos (CHLA), a children’s home in Salagua, Manzanillo, presented its Christmas Pageant as a Christmas night under the stars, staged at Centro de Artes Los Angelitos (CALA), the open-air performance facility serving the Manzanillo area.

Following dinner, guests were treated to a three-part presentation. First was familiar Christmas music, followed by dance numbers performed by Ballet Folklórico Los Angelitos, which is part of the CHLA Expressive Arts Program, and finally a flawlessly performed dramatic pageant of music and dance told the timeless story of Christmas.

Casa Hogar Los Angelitos is a unique home for children in the Manzanillo area. From toddlers to university graduates, the home provides a place for girls and boys who would not otherwise have such a home with the love and care they receive. CHLA is not an orphanage, although some orphans have made their home there.

The children have come from abusive situations or homes where parents are unable to provide care for them. Some young children have even been rescued from homelessness, living on the street. At present, 60 girls and boys from three years of age and younger, up to 21 are living at the home. Presently nine are in university or at a higher level of study.

As the evening’s performance drew to a close, soloist Francesco Puglisi was joined by members of the cast for his final songs and a modern dance concluded the show, with dancers then going into the audience inviting guests to dance with them.

Participating in the Ballet Folklórico presentations of CHLA provides not only instruction and participation in music and dance, but also develops self-confidence in the young performers.

At Casa Hogar, they receive 24-hour care with emotional and medical care and instruction in English that complements their education.

Two books by Nancy Nystrom, which can be ordered from The Children’s Foundation, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble tell the heart warming and inspirational stories of the founding of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.

Each Day a Portion and I See You contain stories about the home and how some of the children raised there have overcome a difficult start in life but have realized success in education and work.

Donations to Casa Hogar through The Children’s Foundation help transform the lives of children to something better, and serve as an investment in their future.

Two books by Nancy Nystrom, which can be ordered from The Children’s Foundation, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble tell the heart-warming and inspirational stories of the founding of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.

Each Day a Portion and I See You contain stories about the home and how some of the children raised there have overcome a difficult start in life but have realized success in education and work.

Donations to Casa Hogar through The Children’s Foundation help transform the lives of children to something better, and serve as an investment in their future.

The young people of the Ballet Folklórico Los Angelitos are to be applauded for their enthusiasm in sharing their talents and skill with their audiences. Their dedication in learning the mu-sic and dances of their heritage is to be admired. How fortunate they are to have the support of artistic director Marisol Gonzalez and Juan Cruz Martinez, dance instructor and co founder of the Ballet Folklórico, who draw out the best of their young protégés.

Performances and fund raising events at CALA are vital to the financial circumstances of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. As Nancy Nystrom says, “The COVID pandemic created problems on all levels because contributions were down approximately 50% and attendance at events was affected.” Although CHLA benefits Mexican children, less than 5% financial support comes from the Mexican community.

It is donations from the United States and Canada that primarily support the cost of caring for children and maintaining the home. Operational costs are approximately $280,000 U.S. per year, not including expenses of accounting and banking or university expenses for those pursuing post-secondary education. Two more students from Casa Hogar graduated from university in 2022.

Founded by Nancy Nystrom and her late husband Dave in 1996, with 24 children, Casa Hogar has now provided a home for over a thousand children in 27 years. “We believe that children should live in dignity and security with the opportunity for education. So we try to be an example of care, maintenance and quality,” says Nancy.

Special events and shows are planned to provide opportunity to support Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. A benefit dinner on January 26 at CALA will be followed by an Open House at the CHLA facility on January 28. On February 18 at CALA a Valentine’s dinner and show, “Dia Del Amor y La Amistad” (Day of Love and Friendship) will light up the stage. The event will co-incide with Casa Hogar’s second annual golf tournament, at the Las Hadas Golf Course on February 16, 17 and 18.

On March 18 a dinner with another lively performance on the theme of “Bienvenida La Primavera: Con Sabor a Colima” (Welcome Spring with a Taste of Colima) will herald the arrival of spring with a cultural and musical presentation. Attendance at events is a way of showing your support. For more information and details on how to donate, visit CHLA’s parent organization, The Children’s Foundation, at https:// www.tcfcares.org.

 

 




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