Social Assistance to the Community

Hello and a Happy New Year from Phoenix Group in Panamá!! I would like to wish each of you and your families a special Blessing during these challenging times. May you and yours stay healthy and safe from Covid and any emotional and economic sufferings.

This year was another of Covid and its restrictions, which resulted in again cancelling our large annual “Three Kings Day” parties at the Salvation Army’s Girls orphanage in Colón and several small churches in remote areas of the Province. However, to still reach out to struggling families, prior to Christmas we delivered large bags of food and gifts to 10 families in the Province of Colón. And, for “Three Kings Day,” on 6 and 7 January we delivered large bags of food and gifts to 7 families in the area of Buena Vista, Colón, (plus the kids that just showed up!) and also to 7 families in the area of Veracruz, Panamá (northwest of the Panamá Canal). As always, the smiles – and some tears of joy -- of the kids really warm the heart and reinforce the importance of this support effort. For the majority of kids, it is the only gift they receive for the Holidays. Even through the face masks, the excitement and happiness joy could be seen!!! Since the families were advised in advance of our planned arrival, the kids were waiting (somewhat patiently) and some all dressed up.

As always each year, our wonderful staff in Panamá and Colón do a great job with identifying needy families, selection and wrapping of gifts, purchasing food, coordinating logistics, and making the visits a happy and memorable event for the kids.

Fortunately, earlier, on Thanksgiving, we were able to celebrate our annual Thanksgiving Day lunch at the Salvation Army’s Hogar Jackson for abandoned elderly. These elderly residents are always very appreciative for our staff to just visit and talk with them.

In Venezuela, Adriana Flores continues to direct our monthly food and clothing support programs at a Christian facility for Disabled Elderly and also a school which supports street kids in Caracas. Adriana and her small group of volunteers are making a huge positive difference in the lives of these almost forgotten elderly and kids. Prior to Christmas, Adriana organized the delivery of food bags to needy families at the school in Caracas and food and personal hygiene and care items to the elderly. A big thank you and hug for Adriana and her team of volunteers – each a hero.

Sharing our annual note of holiday activity to support the less fortunate in Colón, Panamá and Caracas, Venezuela. Covid quarantines/curfews have severely impacted the lives of so many in Central and South America, as over 30% of the population are “day workers” and live-off of what they earn daily. So with quarantines, no work those days means no food on the family table for those days.

Due to Covid restrictions, we were not able to host our annual “Three Kings Day” parties at the Salvation Army’s Girls orphanage in Colón or the small churches in remote areas of the Province. This was truly unfortunate for the children who look forward to this event each year, as well as for our staff and I who really enjoy participating and seeing the smiles of the kids. However, just before Christmas the Phoenix Group staff delivered much-needed food bags and gifts to 12 struggling families in areas outside of the city of Colón. A big thanks to our Phoenix Group staff for their hard work in organizing and executing these very important Community Support projects.

In Venezuela, Adriana Flores continues to direct our monthly food and clothing support programs at a Christian facility for Disabled Elderly and also a school which supports street kids in Caracas. Adriana and her small group of volunteers are making a huge positive difference in the lives of these almost forgotten elderly and kids. Prior to Christmas, Adriana organized the delivery of special food bags to needy families at the school in Caracas. Currently, she is coordinating a “holiday breakfast” at the facility for disabled elderly. Sister Rosanna and her teams doing an amazing job at the two facilities. A big thank you and hug for Adriana and her team of volunteers – each a hero.

Due to Covid restrictions, we were not able to host our annual “Three Kings Day” parties at the Salvation Army’s Girls orphanage in Colón or the small churches in remote areas of the Province. This was truly unfortunate for the children who look forward to this event each year, as well as for our staff and I who really enjoy participating and seeing the smiles of the kids. Since we were not able to hold the annual parties, we decided to expand our “Home Building Program" and identified 5 families in extreme need of housing assistance. Prior to Christmas, we were able to build and present the door keys to 2 of these families. The other 3 homes begin construction after Christmas. A big thanks to our Phoenix Group staff for their hard work in organizing and executing these very important Community Support projects.

Due to Covid restrictions, we were not able to host our annual “Three Kings Day” parties at the Salvation Army’s Girls orphanage in Colon or the small churches in remote areas of the Province. This was truly unfortunate for the children who look forward to this event each year, as well as for our staff and I who really enjoy participating and seeing the smiles of the kids. However, we were able to celebrate a small Thanksgiving Day lunch at the Salvation Army’s Hogar Jackson for the abandoned elderly.

This year we held our annual ‘Three Kings Day’ celebrations over the past few days and were fortunate to have had lots of smiling kids in attendance. The first party was held in San Juan (about halfway between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts), at a school that has a high percentage of poor families. As in past years, the second party was held at the Salvation Army’s Girls Orphanage in Sabanitas, Colón, Panamá, which also invited some poor families from neighboring areas. Our great Admin Staff and Leadership in Colon coordinated all activities and vendors and sourced /wrapped the gifts, as well managed the parties. They did a wonderful job and the kids had a blast enjoying the “brinca brinca”, games, music and dancing, popcorn and cotton candy, smashing the pinatas, lunch, and Christmas gifts. Hats off to Adriana and her amazing team of volunteers.

Adriana and her amazing team of volunteers purchased and cooked all food and organized supplies and gifts for a wonderful, uplifting party at an elderly home in Caracas, Venezuela. Music was performed by a volunteer band and they had the Residents cheering and clapping. This location provides a home for disabled elderly (mute, deaf, wheelchair-bound, etc.) and is operated by an order of Sisters at a convent outside of Caracas. Residents enjoyed delicious food and music and were presented gifts of personal items. We are blessed to have Adriana and her team, who volunteer their personal time and energy to make this needed happiness and assistance a reality. They truly are angels for these elderly and the street kids they receive meals they prepare.

Phoenix Group adopted a Salvation Army-staffed ‘Senior Home’ (Hogar Jackson) in January 2016. The home has abandoned ‘Ancianos’ (old folks) living there and it is in a neighborhood with a heavy presence of gangs. This year, we celebrated a Thanksgiving Day lunch at Hogar Jackson and delivered food bags for Christmas dinner to 10 needy families as part of our ongoing 2020 CSR support. It is such a blessing and inspiration to assist the elderly and these needy families as they are so appreciative and quick with a smile. The elderly especially enjoy the company and someone talking with them.

This year we held out annual “Three Kings Day” celebrations at two orphanages in Colón, Panamá. The first was at Aldea SOS, which houses and cares for some 30 children, most with some type of physically or mentally challenger (downs, bone disease, etc.), and the following day at the Salvation Army’s Sabanitas Girls Orphanage, which invited some poor families from neighboring areas. As in past years, one of our Security Supervisors played the role of the clown and all activities (sourcing and wrapping gifts, procuring food, pinata stuffing, etc.) were conducted/organized by our great Admin Staff and Operations Leadership Team. They did a wonderful job and the kids had a blast enjoying the “brinca brinca”, games, music and dancing, popcorn and cotton candy, smashing the pinatas, lunch, and Christmas gifts. Prior to New Year, we had our annual dinner at the Salvation Army’s house for abandoned elderly and delivered holiday food baskets to 8 poor families in more remote areas.

This year we expanded our monthly food, clothing, and urgent supply assistance to under-nourished kids in Caracas, Venezuela and to a home for disabled elderly (mute, deaf, etc.) which is operated by an order of Sisters at a small beautiful chapel outside of Caracas. A Three Kings Day party was held on Sunday at the home for the elderly. While some of this monthly effort in Venezuela is executed jointly with the “Mother Teresa Project,” all are coordinated and made possible each month by the incredible efforts of a wonderful lady (Adriana Flores) that I met via a work project. Adriana uses her own time and resources to make this assistance a reality and touch the truly needy. Hats off to her!!!

During the week of 8 January, we hosted our annual 3 Kings Day celebrations in Panamá. This year we held wonderful parties at the Salvation Army Orphanage for Girls, the Salvation Army’s Home for Abandoned Elderly, and the small Assembly of God church in very small and rural pueblo outside of Buena Vista. The clown actually is Phoenix Supervisor Garcia, who has great talents I wasn’t aware of. Incredible as it may seem, the kids in Buena Vista commented that this was the first party they had ever attended. Sharing a few pics of the smiles and fun. We also made our annual deliveries of food baskets to remote poor homes. It was a great week and the smiles were wonderful! Hats off to our Admin and Management team that made these events happen!!

During the week of 8 January, we hosted our annual 3 Kings Day celebrations in Panamá. This year we held wonderful parties at the Salvation Army Orphanage for Girls, the Salvation Army’s Home for Abandoned Elderly, and the small Assembly of God church in very small and rural pueblo outside of Buena Vista. The clown actually is Phoenix Supervisor Garcia, who has great talents I wasn’t aware of. Incredible as it may seem, the kids in Buena Vista commented that this was the first party they had ever attended. Sharing a few pics of the smiles and fun. We also made our annual deliveries of food baskets to remote poor homes. It was a great week and the smiles were wonderful! Hats off to our Admin and Management team that made these events happen!!

During the week of 8 January, we hosted our annual 3 Kings Day celebrations in Panamá. This year we held wonderful parties at the Salvation Army Orphanage for Girls, the Salvation Army’s Home for Abandoned Elderly, and the small Assembly of God church in very small and rural pueblo outside of Buena Vista. The clown actually is Phoenix Supervisor Garcia, who has great talents I wasn’t aware of. Incredible as it may seem, the kids in Buena Vista commented that this was the first party they had ever attended. Sharing a few pics of the smiles and fun. We also made our annual deliveries of food baskets to remote poor homes. It was a great week and the smiles were wonderful! Hats off to our Admin and Management team that made these events happen!!

Wednesday December 20, 2017, We were able to provide community assistance to families in need. These houses were in rural areas outside of Buena Vista, Province of Colón, Panamá. The families attend a church nearby, whose Pastor identified the families as in need of food and basic supplies.

Today, Friday January 17, 2017, we are happy to announce the completion of the modifications to the home of Diana and her 6 children in Rio Rita Arriba, Colón. We started the work in November but there were a number of rain delays. Here are a few before/after photos of the modifications and the presenting of the key to her newly installed front door (never had one before, nor a floor), as a well large bag of food. A big thanks to our management team, especially Jose Barrows, for completing this important task.

January 6th and 7th, 2017, we hosted our annual Fiestas de la "Dia de Los Tres Reyes" (3 Kings Day) parties at a girls orphanage and a church, located in different areas of Colon, Panama. We had a good attendance of kids and one of our guys dressed-up as a "king". The families of houses we have rebuilt in the past couple months also attended. The kids really enjoyed the moon bounce, cotton candy, popcorn, face painting, games directed by the Clown and "king", smashing the piñata, and lunch. At the end, all received Christmas presents. These were fun celebrations and much appreciated by the kids.

A week ago while visiting some remote villages and churches to evaluate locations for our annual Three Kings Day Celebrations, we came across 4 houses in the areas of Providencia and Santa Rita Arriba in which the families were in urgent need of food. At one home, the kids were eating just a bowl of white rice three times a day. Nothing else. There, as well as at another 2 homes, the kids could not attend public school because of the lack of shoes and uniforms. The one house had only a partial roof, which is a huge problem with the current monsoon rains as the plastic strips just give way. To address the immediate emergency of a lack of food, on Saturday we delivered a large bag to each home, which included rice, beans, milk, chicken, canned tuna/ham/beef, pancake mix, cereal, condiments, etc. This will get them thru the next couple weeks. We have contracted a tech from the Maintenance shop at MIT to install zinc sheets on the house lacking a roof and are buying shoes and uniforms for the kids so they can start going to school. Between the four homes, there were a two adults available to work, so we are looking to hire them directly or assist in obtaining employment in Colon. The key is to assist them in becoming independent and self-supporting.

Phoenix has adopted an Orphanage run by the Salvation Army outside Colón. As part of our Fiestas de la "Dia de Los Tres Reyes" (Three Kings Day) celebration in January 2016, Phoenix Group held a wonderful party for 30 children at the Orphanage. The children had a great time jumping in the Moon Bounce ("brinca brinca" in Spanish) and getting faces painted, eating hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, drinking slushies, and playing many games led by a fun clown. At the end, each child was given a present. Great Day!!!

Phoenix Group adopted a Salvation Army-staffed "Senior Home" (Hogar Jackson) in January 2016. The home has 11 abandoned “Ancianos” (old folks) living there and it is in a neighborhood with a heavy presence of gangs. Mike McNicholas, Managing Director of Phoenix Group, met the director of “Senior Home” at the 3 Kings Day Party held at a Colón Orphanage and he mentioned they were having a challenge obtaining enough donations of food for the residents. Phoenix Group delivered enough food for a month, which included 50 lbs of rice, beans, oil, juice, cans of Ensure, milk, vegetables, chicken, fish, and also cleaning supplies. Phoenix Group now makes deliveries on a monthly basis.

As in past years, in January 2016, Phoenix Group delivered canastas (large baskets), a bag of Christmas gifts, and cash donation to each of 4 families. The baskets held can, bags, and boxes of rice and foods for several meals - including a frozen turkey for Christmas dinner (they have to cook it now because no one has a freezer and most do not have electricity). One of the families, a single pregnant woman with some 6 small kids, lives in a zinc shack about a mile back a steep dirt road in the mountains (good exercise). Our female employees pitched-in and bought a basinet and filled it with "new born" supplies. Another home was of an elderly couple that has a son who had open heart surgery a couple weeks ago (and cannot work). The remaining two families were similar to the first home - one a single Mom with lots of kids and the other a Grandmother who was left raising numerous grandkids. Everyone was happy and thankful and it was very heart-warming for us.

Phoenix Group installed a new water pump and energy solar panels repaired in the community of Frijolito, Province of Colón, Panamá. This has been a year-long project and was only completed via the intervention and support of senior management at Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama (MIT). MIT assigned a lead engineer and agreed to split the purchase costs with Phoenix Group. The community now has access to clean water which flows up the side of the mountain and into the school, church, and central points of dissemination. We were happy to be part of bring smiles to the faces of the residents. Here are a few photos of the kids and the installation process.

Phoenix Group held the first of three Fiestas de la "Dia de Los Tres Reyes" (Three Kings Day) parties in "El Chorrillo" -- a very poor and gang-infested section of Panamá City. The kids are partially supported by the local church, generally having been abandoned or living on the streets. Their parents mostly are drug addicts and gang members. Phoenix employees dressed as the "3 Kings" and clowns and we provided a meal and a Christmass gift to each child (the only one most received). We brought the cotton candy and popcorn machines (always the favorites), piñatas, and an employee-made ping-pong table. The kids had a great time.

Phoenix Group second day of our 3 Kings Day parties was held in a church in the village of San Andrés of Chepo (heading to the Darién region from Panamá City). Our K-9 Supervisor (wearing the black boony hat in the first photo) and K-9 Section organized this event and brought a couple canines (the most passive) for the kids. You may recognize the little girl on the far left in the top picture. She is the one with the skin problem and is now using the medicine purchased with donations. This was her first party. As with the other parties, we had the popcorn and cotton candy machines, face painting and games, lunches and a Xmas gift for each, and a clown / our "Kings". We also brought an inflatable bouncing room - which was the BIG hit with the kids. All had a great time.

Phoenix Group last of our 3 Kings Day parties, which was held in the very small community of "Frijolito", near Colón (Atlantic side of Panamá). In the top photo you can see the terrain and one of the village's houses - and "out house" as there is no inside plumbing. The second photo down shows two of our folks from the Colon office setting-up for the party in the one-room school. Yes, the only school has a single room and one teacher for the kids. All grades are taught simultaneously. The third photo down is one of the guys preparing to connect a wire to the main power line on the street, as the school had no electricity to run the popcorn and cotton candy machines or the Moon Bounce. Thankfully, no one was electrocuted and the only causality was the popcorn machine, which blew-out with the initial jolt of electricity. The remaining photos are of the kids playing, collecting candy from the fallen piñata, and receiving their Xmas gift. A good time for all.

Phoenix Group Annual Christmas/Day of the Kings celebrations at a total of five locations in the Republic of Panama. Each celebration was a huge success and we were rewarded with many thanks and big smiles from the children and parents. Thanks to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring these holiday activities for the less fortunate.

Hogar Fátima, el Chorrillo, Colón, Panamá: a home for 35 orphan children and 34 abandoned senior persons. During the party, each of the seniors was given pajamas, a bath robe, and slippers. The children were given a toy, tennis shoes, and a shirt. All enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy and the kids played in the "brinca brinca" and had their faces painted. This orphanage survives on the assistance of private donors.

You can see the happiness in the faces of the children. However, our Staff received a lot of joy and satisfaction in bringing joy to the kids. Thanks again to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring the holiday celebrations.

Phoenix Group Annual Christmas/Day of the Kings celebrations at a total of five locations in the Republic of Panama. Each celebration was a huge success and we were rewarded with many thanks and big smiles from the children and parents. Thanks to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring these holiday activities for the less fortunate.

Kuna Yala, Akuanusadaup: a remote island in the Pearl Islands, getting there was 3 hours by truck and then 2 hours by motorized canoe from Chepo. We hosted a party for 166 children and their parents. They ate hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy and the kids played games. The kids were fascinated with the cotton candy as most had never seen it before and many kids had yet to leave the island. Families were also given bags of food.

You can see the happiness in the faces of the children. However, our Staff received a lot of joy and satisfaction in bringing joy to the kids. Thanks again to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring the holiday celebrations.

Phoenix Group Annual Christmas/Day of the Kings celebrations at a total of five locations in the Republic of Panama. Each celebration was a huge success and we were rewarded with many thanks and big smiles from the children and parents. Thanks to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring these holiday activities for the less fortunate.

Vista Hermosa, Aguadulce, Coclé, Panamá: a small remote community about 45 minutes from the town of Aguadulce. Access to the community only is via 4 x 4 truck, walking or bicycle. None of the resident have vehicles. The celebration included 42 children of 25 families. Each family was given a bag of food and the kids received gifts and ate hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy, as well took turns hitting the piñata. The community was very grateful, said they receive no support from private companies or the government, and asked us to come back next year.

You can see the happiness in the faces of the children. However, our Staff received a lot of joy and satisfaction in bringing joy to the kids. Thanks again to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring the holiday celebrations.

Phoenix Group Annual Christmas / Day of the Kings celebrations at a total of five locations in the Republic of Panama. Each celebration was a huge success and we were rewarded with many thanks and big smiles from the children and parents. Thanks to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring these holiday activities for the less fortunate.

Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Center, Colón, Panamá: Located in the center of Colon, this facility offers rehabilitation services to children with Downs Syndrome and MS. The 35 kids and their parents enjoyed the clowns, dancing to music, eating lunch, face painting, and the games. Each child was given a toy as a gift. The kids were especially appreciative, as was the Staff.

You can see the happiness in the faces of the children. However, our Staff received a lot of joy and satisfaction in bringing joy to the kids. Thanks again to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring the holiday celebrations.

Phoenix Group Annual Christmas/Day of the Kings celebrations at a total of five locations in the Republic of Panama. Each celebration was a huge success and we were rewarded with many thanks and big smiles from the children and parents. Thanks to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring these holiday activities for the less fortunate.

Monte Oreb, Quebrada Ancha, Colón, Panamá: a small, remote community located in the area of Quebrada Ancha, in the Province of Colon, and an hour off the highway (Transistmica). The community was hit hard in recent flooding and still is cut-off from nearby access to regular transportation. There were some 100 children and adults in attendance. During the party, the kids received a gift and all ate a lunch of ham, rice, potato, and cake. For them, this was their New Year dinner. Several of the families were given food baskets. The kids played games and had lots of fun jumping in the "brinca brinca".

You can see the happiness in the faces of the children. However, our Staff received a lot of joy and satisfaction in bringing joy to the kids. Thanks again to MIT & DHL for assisting in sponsoring the holiday celebrations.