2nd Anniversary Event & Fundraiser for Puerto Rico

Our upcoming 2nd-anniversary event is bittersweet.

We are happy knowing that we are going into year 3 with a strong foundation and an amazing and loyal group of customers and followers.  

On the other hand, it didn’t feel right to “celebrate” knowing that the beautiful island of Puerto Rico sustained such devastation during Hurricane Irma, that family members and the family members of so many others we know have been affected as well.  

So we decided to turn a “celebratory” event into a fundraising event.  We wanted to ensure that 100% of the funds we collect and donate would actually go to people and areas in need in Puerto Rico.  After speaking to several friends and doing a little research we decided to make “Cleveland for Puerto Rico” our charity of choice.  Here’s a little more information from the Cleveland Foundation who is helping spearhead this fundraising effort:

“We recently launched an online giving platform where we are collecting donations through Nov. 30 and then transferring them to the Puerto Rico Community Foundation, which the Cleveland Foundation actually helped start in 1985. Per your questions, 100% of funds raised will be going to Puerto Rico, and the Cleveland Foundation and a local organization called CLE4PR will be working in partnership with the Puerto Rico Community Foundation to designate the funds for use in the hardest hit areas of the island, particularly rural areas.”

Click here to read more about the organization and effort.

Many things have been done to get ready for our event…

• WKYC’s The Ana Show will be here!

Hosted by Ana Garcia, the show highlights the Hispanic community here in Northeast Ohio and airs at 5:30 am on WKYC, Channel 3 on Sunday mornings.  Too early for you?  Be sure to DVR it or click here to follow The Ana Show on Facebook.

• New Lighting & New Inventory

If you haven’t heard, the storefront got a makeover and we got all new lighting inside the shop!  We’ll be bringing in A LOT of new inventory including holiday items for this event – but it’s all a surprise – you won’t see it in this picture below. 🙂

• Live Conga music!

A family member graciously offered to play his congas during this fundraising event – and we’ll have some Salsa and Merengue playing in the background too. 

• Arroz con Gandules

We’ll be serving Mamita’s infamous rice and beans!  Yep, Mamita is cooking.   While supplies last.  

• Coquito

We have a kind and generous friend, Sarah, making a batch of Coquito just for us – oh don’t worry, we’ll share! 

“Coquito is a coconut-based alcoholic beverage traditionally served in Puerto Rico, similar to eggnog, hence it is also called Puerto Rican eggnog. It is generally made with rum, coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves.”

• Raffle Prizes

We’ll be raffling a Wise Owl Paint basket and a Home Decor basket.  Tickets will be $1 each or 6 for $5.  Winner need not be present but must be able to pick up during regular store hours.

• Puerto Rico Watches for sale

Our friend and fellow Entrepreneur, Amparo Vega, owner of Original Cleveland Watch Company, custom designed these awesome Puerto Rico watches and she’ll have them for sale at this event – with 100% of the profit on each watch going to Puerto Rico!

How can you donate?

1. Purchase raffle tickets to win prizes – $1 each or 6 for $5
2. Purchase a Puerto Rico watch at our shop
3. Attend our event and give a cash donation
4. Purchase items in our shop – 25% of ALL sales on November 2nd will be donated
5. Can’t attend?  Click the donate button and donate securely online through PayPal

At the end of our Event, we’ll sum this all up and send the Cleveland Foundation what we hope is one VERY generous donation. 

If you’re on Facebook and want to save the date or get other updates, click here to add this fundraiser to your Events.

Thank you to everyone who has offered to help and to those participating to make this event even more special.  We hope to see you on Thursday, November 2nd! 

P.S.  As much as we appreciate the offers, we are not accepting any physical items for donations as we have seen the challenges with shipping to Puerto Rico since the hurricane hit the island.