Thursday, April 05, 2007

Support Bonaire, Inc. Grants Over US$60,000 to Bonaire Charities in 2006

Support Bonaire, Inc., a U.S. non-profit organization created to help support Bonaire’s non-profit social and environmental efforts, announced that its 2006 grants to various Bonaire non-profit organizations was US$60,271.

Funding for Support Bonaire’s grants comes solely from individual donors who select from one of a series of special projects Support Bonaire has created to focus on particular needs on Bonaire. In some cases, donors may also request that Support Bonaire apply some part of their donation to their favorite charitable effort on Bonaire, a request that the Board of Directors of Support Bonaire typically honors.

During 2006, the top recipients of grants from Support Bonaire were two non-profit, non-governmental educational institutions – Unicollege and Stichting Leren is Leuk (which runs the Pelikaan School). Both organizations received these much needed funds thanks to the generosity of American individuals with a strong commitment to the future of Bonaire’s children. Other programs which educate the youth of Bonaire which received grant funding were Jong Bonaire and the Bonaire Marine Park’s youth education program.

Social programs for children and young adults which received smaller grants were the Maria Hoppner Stichting, the Stichting Project, and Stichting AVST (Wowo di Bario).

However, as Bonaire is known for its nature and environment, non-profit organizations which protect and promote Bonaire’s natural resources also received their share of targeted grants, led by Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) and the Donkey Sanctuary. The Bonaire Animal Shelter, Foundation Animal Welfare Bonaire, the Bonaire Marine Park, and Fundashon pa Bon Koral also received grants.

While the amount of money distributed may seem like a lot of money, it is minor compared to the funding needs of many of Bonaire’s non-profit organizations, and donors of past years are encouraged to donate again this year and support their favorite charitable project on Bonaire.

A majority of the donations to Support Bonaire to support these varied causes were donated on-line, via the Internet, at the Support Bonaire web site – www.SupportBonaire.org – where donations by credit card are accepted. 100% of all donations go directly to the target charities on Bonaire, as a small endowment received by Support Bonaire, Inc. some years ago is used to cover all administrative expenses. The Board of Directors of Support Bonaire, Inc. is composed entirely of volunteers, and the web site space and operation is donated by Stroke of Color, Inc., a U.S. company, all of which keep operational costs to a minimum.

It should be stressed that Support Bonaire, Inc. itself does not have funds to use to fund grants on Bonaire, but instead relies on American individual and corporate donors to provide funding for specific non-profit projects on Bonaire. Support Bonaire’s special non-profit charity status in the United States permits the organization to accept donations and fund non-profit efforts on Bonaire while allowing American donors to get a deduction on their taxes in the United States.

Support Bonaire, Inc. is an organization dedicated to helping fund non-profit environmental and social projects on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, by being a U.S. Internal Revenue Service-approved non-profit organization, which in turn allows donors to take a tax deduction on funds they donate to Support Bonaire, Inc. Support Bonaire, Inc.’s virtual offices can be found at http://www.SupportBonaire.org, and an on-line discussion group for the organization is located at http://www.BonaireTalk.com/sbi. The organization’s mailing address for monetary donations and other paper correspondence is PMB #340, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite E4, Boulder, Colorado 80302, U.S.A. Voice mail can be left at +1-303-484-4646, and FAXes can be sent to the same number. Contact via e-mail is preferred, at info@SupportBonaire.org.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Second Quarterly Underwater Cleanup is Slated for Saturday, April 14, 2007

The second cleanup for 2007 will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007 when a portion of Kralendijk’s coastline will be scoured both at the shoreline and in the shallows for any trash which can be safely removed.

All are welcome to participate; divers will be in the water, but shore personnel are always needed to assist with the handling of the removed trash.  First, all trash is inspected to be sure that no marine creatures are inadvertently removed from their habitats.  If any are found, they are immediately returned.  Next the trash must be sorted and counted.

Tanks will be provided free of charge; anyone interested in participating should meet at Dive Friend’s Yellow Submarine location at 1:00 PM on April 14th.  At that time, a briefing will be provided before the group enters the water.

At 5:30 PM, all are welcome back for a Pot Luck BBQ dinner, where entrees and drinks are provided by sponsors Dive Friends and NetTech.  Those returning for the BBQ are asked to bring a small side dish to share.

For further information, contact Dive Friends at 717-2929, or visit their web site.  (Source:  Dive Friends/NetTech)

Note Revision April 12, 2007: A change in venue has been announced for this quarterly cleanup.  All those interested in participating should meet at the Dive Friends location at Port Bonaire (across from the airport) at 1:00 PM.  The underwater cleanup will take place at a dive site in the area of Port Bonaire.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Casablanca Restaurant’s Dushi Boneiru Night Opened to a Sold Out Crowd

Last night, Casablanca Restaurant launched their new Monday evening event, Dushi Boneiru Night, an all-you-can-eat Argentinean Grill with a show by popular Bonaire photographer, Albert Bianculli.  Those “in-the-know” made advance reservations, but those who came without a reservation patiently waited for tables to open up as the restaurant was full.

Filled with both locals and visiting tourists alike, people started arriving promptly at 6:00 PM, and they continued arriving throughout the evening.  Three shows were presented by Albert to accommodate everyone.  Those dining could eat before or after any of the shows, and eat they did.  Served with platter after platter of all-you-can-eat steak, pork chops, ribs, chicken, chorizo, and other succulent delights, no one went away remotely hungry.  Images of the evening can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

A special treat for this launch was the presence of five of Albert’s underwater models, or, as he affectionately calls them, his “mermaids.” His show provided an interesting and educational overview of Bonaire above and below the water.

The cost for the dinner and show is $19.00 per person, plus 5% sales tax.  Reservations are highly recommended.  For additional information or to make a reservation, visit Casablanca’s web site (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Note Update April 10, 2007: Due to the popularity of this event, an extra show has been added to accommodate everyone.  Shows are now given at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 PM each Monday night.  Dinner can be enjoyed before or after any show.

Note Update November 14, 2008: We’re sorry to report, the Dushi Boneiru Night is no longer available.