Community Service

Friday, March 05, 2010

Eighth Annual Special Olympics Walk-A-Thon Will Be Held Sunday, March 7th, 2010

The Special Olympics Bonaire will hold it’s eighth annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for their programs for the island’s participants in Special Olympics.

Those interested in participating should plan on checking in at the Slave Huts at 5:00 AM this coming Sunday.  Everybody is welcome, and the route may be walked, run, or cycled.  The entire route is 30 kilometers, but participants can finish whenever they are tired or ready.  Entry fee is FL 25.00 (about USD $14.00) and includes a t-shirt, water and snacks en route, and lunch at the finish.  Tickets are available at TCB, Chat ‘n’ Browse, or from the board members or coaches of the Special Olympics Bonaire.

The water and snack stations will be set up every five kilometers (about every 3 miles) and will include only healthy snacks.  Lunch at the completion of the route will be served from 10:00 AM through 1:00 PM at Pasadia Karino Rincon.  T-shirts can be picked up at Hotel Rochaline either tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, or Saturday, March 6th, from 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM.

Come out for some great exercise and help a worthy cause!  (Source:  Special Olympics Bonaire)

Monday, October 12, 2009

A Klein Bonaire Beach Clean-up Will be Held on October 25, 2009

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) and STINAPA are once again joining forces to organize a beach clean-up at Klein Bonaire on October 25, 2009 and volunteers are needed.  It’s important to keep the beaches at Klein Bonaire clean and free from trash, which can harm or be ingested by Bonaire’s sea turtle population.

Anyone who is interested is invited to join in.  Participants should meet at 7:00 AM on October 25, 2009 at the Harbour Village Marina.  Be sure to bring a hat, water, and sunscreen.  For additional information, call either STCB at 717-2225 or STINAPA at 717-8444.  (Source:  STINAPA)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Bonaire’s Underwater Cleanup Removes Much Trash from Yacht Anchorage

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, 35 individuals made up of tourists and residents met together under a perfect Bonaire sky to pitch in and help to keep Bonaire’s reefs beautiful.  Divers, snorkelers, and those who assisted on land worked seamlessly together to process a large amount of trash removed from the island’s yacht anchorage.  Images from this cleanup are available on-line at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

During a complete briefing by Susan Davis of NetTech, it was explained what trash should be recovered and what should be left behind, as well as how to keep from damaging any marine animals.  Shortly afterward, the divers entered the water, descended and began to fill their bags with trash.  When filled, the bags were brought to the surface to those working as shore support.  There, Dive Friends crew and volunteers checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it responsibly.

It was only nine months since this area was last cleaned, but still a large amount of trash was extracted and properly disposed:  3 plastic bags, 93 beverage cans, 23 pieces of clothing or shoes, 4 tin cans, 3 bait containers, 8 fishing lures, 15 light sticks, 3 tools, 1 can of paint, 23 pieces of dinnerware, 11 pieces of tissue or newspaper, 1 straw, 2 toys, and 4 pieces of metal.  Additionally, 2 fishing nets, 7 pieces of rope, 10 pieces of fiberglass, 1 strapping band, 1 spark plug, 5 pieces of building materials, 1 small tire, 3 towels, 9 pieces of wood, 25 pieces of plastic, 3 wires, 18 glass pieces, and 3 pieces of linoleum were also tallied.

The group was able to retrieve even more trash, which was more than could be processed and counted on Saturday.  These piles of trash are in the shallows and will be removed, checked for marine animals, and tallied next weekend by Dive Friends staff.

After the dive, all participants and their families were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ—Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, the sponsors of the Bonaire cleanups, provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2010.  Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  All are welcome to join in. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech)

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Everyone Is Welcome to Join the Underwater Cleanup This Saturday, July 11, 2009

The next underwater cleanup will take place at Bonaire’s boat anchorage on Saturday, July 11, 2009.  All interested participants should meet at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine at 1:00 PM. 

Everyone is welcome, and those not diving can also help, since shore support is always needed.  All participants are welcome to return at 5:00 PM at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine for the event’s customary BBQ; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends and NetTech, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.

Please note that there is a beach cleanup at Klein Bonaire on World Cleanup Day in September, and therefore the traditional September underwater cleanup will not be held the same day, so as not to cause a conflict between two cleanups.  Therefore, this Saturday is the last opportunity for this year to pitch in and help keep Bonaire’s reefs beautiful.

For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Jong Bonaire Announces 2010 Bonaire Calendar Available September, 2009

As in past years, the kids enrolled in the Jong Bonaire after-school programs have produced a stunning 2010 calendar, focusing on the island’s cultural heritage.

In a time when the world is shrinking due to mass communication and travel, often culturally rich areas begin to lose their individuality and heritage.  Bonaire continues to strive to maintain its unique heritage, and earlier this year, the kids of Jong Bonaire explored different aspects of their ancestors’ history and culture.

These activities were recorded in images with the kids along with the grandinan (elder Bonaireans) who taught them, based on what their own elders had taught them, and thus their knowledge was passed to another generation.  These images were taken in typical Bonairean locations, and then turned into the 2010 calendar, so there will be a handsome picture on the wall depicting Bonaire all year long for those who purchase the calendar.

The calendar is titled Treasures Discovered by the Kids of Jong Bonaire.  The size is 30x30 cm and each one is individually shrink-wrapped. When opened it measures 30x60cm (12x24 inches) and it is sure to be a welcome gift for all Bonaire aficionados.

Jong Bonaire serves the island’s teenagers each weekday after school and provides a safe, supervised, and caring environment for our youth--the most valuable resource for the future of our community.  Please look for the calendars in September and help support Bonaire’s kids.  (Source:  Jong Bonaire)

Monday, June 22, 2009

Foundation Animal Welfare Bonaire Requests Assistance

The Bonaire Insider has received a request to assist in getting the word out that the Foundation Animal Welfare Bonaire requires help.  This non-profit association looks out for the welfare of all animals on Bonaire, including pets, such as dogs and cats, and also larger farm animals, such as horses.

As a bit of background information, Elly Albers, the president of the foundation since 2007 and a previous manager of the Bonaire Animal Shelter, informs the Insider that the association investigates allegations of animal abuse, and, if warranted, involves the Justice Department so that the abused animal is removed from the owners and then sheltered elsewhere where it is cared for, while the case goes to court and until there is a decision made.

Within the past year, there was a landmark case which was indeed won in court, and the decision was made not to return the horse to the original owner.  In fact, the case was appealed to a higher court, and it was not overturned.  This particular animal’s jaw had been injured so badly that it cannot accept a bit, and therefore finding a new home for him is nearly impossible.  The association has pledged to take care of this animal for the rest of his life.  The costs for the care and feeding of the horse costs FL 300.00/month (about USD $170.00/month) and the foundation, which exists solely on volunteer work and contributions, has succeeded for the better part of a year to cover these costs.  However, the coffers are becoming low and the foundation seeks out individuals who can help with small donations.

100% of funds received go directly to the feeding and care of the animals under the protection of the foundation.  All board members of the foundation volunteer their time, and no salaries are paid to anyone.  The local vets on Bonaire also donate their time and services to the foundation.

If anyone is interested in helping out, any donation no matter the amount will be sincerely appreciated.  Those on Bonaire can make a donation into the association’s bank account at Maduro & Curiels Bank (Bonaire), account #113.06.706.  Those in the United States may request donations be forwarded through Support Bonaire, available by clicking here, and noting that the funds should go to the Foundation Animal Welfare Bonaire.  Those wishing to make donations from other areas of the world may inquire directly by emailing the association. (Source:  Foundation Animal Welfare Bonaire)

Friday, April 24, 2009

Sea Turtle Club Sponsors Klein Bonaire Beach Cleanup to Help the Baby Turtles

On Sunday, April 26th, 2009, STCB, Bonaire’s Sea Turtle Conservation Club, will sponsor a beach cleanup at Klein Bonaire in order that the beaches can be clean and ready for the 2009 turtle nesting season, which begins soon.

Everyone is welcome to join in.  The cleanup will run from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM, and participants should meet at the Harbour Village Marina for transportation over to Klein Bonaire.  Please wear appropriate footwear and bring water, a hat for the sun, and sunblock.

For more information contact STCB at 717-2225, or Mabel at 780-0433 or Funchi at 780-1225, both of whom are also with STCB.  Hope to see you there! (Source:  STCB)

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Second 2009 Underwater Cleanup is Saturday, April 18, 2009

The second quarterly underwater cleanup will take place at the dive site, Cliff, on Saturday, April 18, 2009.  All interested participants should meet at Dive Friends @ Hamlet at 1:00 PM. 

Everyone is welcome, and those not diving can also help, since shore support is always needed.  All participants are welcome to return at 5:30 PM at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine for the event’s customary BBQ; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends and NetTech, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.

For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Bonaire Rotarally is Sunday, March 15, 2009

The annual Bonaire Rotarally, sponsored by Bonaire’s Rotary Club, has become a fun-filled, much-anticipated event in which locals and tourists alike can participate for an extraordinary day.  This year’s Rotarally will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2009.

Those interested in participating should meet no later than 9:00 AM on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at the Sport Hall on Kaya Amsterdam.  Tickets are available now, and are FL 50.00 (about USD $ 28.09) per car, and includes two free BBQs for the end of the rally.

All revenues go to support the Rotary Bonaire’s Breakfast-in-School project, in its fifth year of serving over 230 breakfasts each day to needy school children, who might otherwise go without breakfast.  For more information, email info@rotarybonaire.org.  (Source:  Rotary Bonaire)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Joint Effort Removes Over 60 Automotive Tires from Bonaire’s Reefs

Recently, a joint effort between sailboat cruisers and the Bonaire National Marine Park resulted in the removal of over 60 automotive tires from the shallows along the shoreline of Kralendijk.

Chief Ranger of the Marine Park, Din Domacasse, attended a meeting in which it was agreed that three park staff members--Juan, Apo, and Polina-- and a park boat would work together with the cruisers to pick up only those tires that had no coral or sponge growth on them.

A survey of the boaters resulted in 100 percent participation among them, as over forty people were organized into teams made up of divers, swimmers, and boat workers. Toucan Diving kindly provided free air fills for the divers. At the close of January, the group worked tirelessly (pun intended!) for three hours to retrieve over sixty tires, which eventually filled a garbage bin, provided by Bonaire’s waste management company, Selibon.

This event was so successful that the cruisers have agreed to complete the cleanup of tires from the remainder of the mooring area and adjacent reef.  STINAPA Bonaire thanks all the participants who made this special cleanup a big success.  (Source:  STINAPA)