Planning Meeting to Create Garden at Special Needs Children's Center Team Angels - PVAngels | |
August 27, 2015 |
Teena and Peter Oudman are in the process of building a new facility for specials needs children in Puerto Vallarta.
The 27,000 square foot facility in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is named for Connor Vanderveen, who passed away at age 15 in October 2011 after struggling with Hunter’s Syndrome, a degenerative genetic condition that left him with the physical and mental capacity of an infant.
Connor’s grandparents, Peter and Teena Oudman, are part-time Radium Hot Springs residents who’ve established the Caring Abroad Society of Alberta (CASA) to work towards building the center in Puerto Vallarta, in conjunction with Pasitos de Luz, a Mexican charity organization.
As a current update on the construction, the estimated cost is $1,780,000 CAD, funds raised is about $1,200,000 and amount spent is about $829,000. Additional funds of $579,000 CAD is needed. Several fundraisers are planned for this year in Alberta. For more information, visit Pasito de Luz/Casa Conner.
Once it’s up and running, the building will provide therapy for up to 200 physically disabled children. When Casa Connor is completed it will house a very large medical services center, a Halliwick Pool and several outdoor play areas - and hopefully, a garden area.
The Oudman's have reached out to Bonnie Mott of the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club in the hope that a beautiful garden can be created for the children at the new facility. The Garden Club is extremely busy with the beautification of Vallarta and constantly needs help and volunteers.
Bonnie contacted Neil Gerlowski, the Executive Director of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, who generously suggested that they would like to help with the design aspect of the garden at Pasitos de Luz by coordinating assistance from their architecture interns and mentors.
Neil has proposed a planning meeting at Vallarta Botanical Gardens on Saturday, September 12 from 10:30 until 11:00 am. It is hoped that you will attend to bring ideas, suggestions, fundraising activities and donation efforts that will make this garden a reality.
Please confirm your attendance by email to Gaby García Ramírez at verogr1@hotmail.com before the first of September.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens is located 30 minutes south of Old Town Puerto Vallarta on Carretera a Barra Navidad at km 24, just past Las Juntas and Los Veranos.
Read related: Work Continues on Casa Connor in Puerto Vallarta for Special Needs Children
Learn about Pasitos de Luz Day Care for Children
Learn about Puerto Vallarta Garden Club
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From activities like hiking, swimming, bike riding and yoga, to restaurants offering healthy menus, Vallarta-Nayarit is the ideal place to continue - or start - your healthy lifestyle routine.