Annual Presentation 2022

Estimado Spotlight Foundation y todo el equipo que nos apoya en los Estados Unidos, 

La población de Santa María, Isla Zapatera, en general, tiene problemas de salud y gracias a su apoyo pudimos llevar atención médica y medicinas. Los niños de la escuela y padres de familia recibieron desparasitantes y vitaminas, y medicinas para otras enfermedades. Fue un atención médica integral se atendieron 70 niños y 25 padres de familia, además cada niño recibió pastas y cepillos dentales. Así también llevamos mejoras alimenticias a los niños de la escuela (huevos, pastas, azúcar, leche, cereales). Se entregó materiales didácticos a estudiantes y maestros, y entregamos a cada padre una pequeña ayuda de alimentos. Los niños y padres disfrutaron de alimentos y bebidas. En fin fue una alegría total. Gracias a todos por su apoyo.

Lázaro García.

viernes 6 de mayo, 2022

English:

Dear Spotlight Foundation and the entire team that supports us in the United States,

The population of Santa María, Isla Zapatera, in general, has health problems and thanks to your support we were able to bring medical attention and medicines. The children of the school and the parents of the family received deworming agents and vitamins and medicines for other illnesses. Comprehensive medical care was provided for 70 children and 25 family fathers, and each child received toothpaste and brushes. We also bring better food to the children of the school (huevos, pasta, sugar, milk, cereals). Teaching materials were given to students and teachers, and we gave each priest a small food aid. Children and parents enjoyed food and drinks. At the end it was a total joy. Thanks to all for your support.

Lázaro García.

Friday May 6, 2022

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Annual Presentation, 2021

Hola amigos,

Espero que te encuentres bien! Ayer anduve en la isla Zapatera, en la escuelita, gracias al apoyo del proyecto pude llevarles comida,(huevos, cornflake, avena, maseca, pastas alimenticias, aceite, salsa de tomate, azúcar, etc) así también compré materiales didácticos los niños no tenía para ir a la escuela (cuadernos, lápices, lapiceros, borradores, tarjadores, etc.). También llevamos gaseosas, galletas, caramelos para que los niños disfrutaran un rato en la escuela. Todos estaban muy contentos. También compre ropa usada para llevarles. Por cuestión de pandemia casi nadie de los padres trabaja y su ropa estaba muy dañada así que decidí llevar ropa a todos, como siempre es mi mayor felicidad ir a la isla y llevar su ayuda a esos niños que lo necesitan. Me siento muy agradecido siempre por el valioso apoyo suyo y de toda la junta directiva del proyecto. 

Gracias a todos, un fuerte abrazo, saludos.

Lázaro

—

Hi friends,

I hope you are well! Yesterday I was on Zapatera Island, in the little school, thanks to the support of the project I was able to bring them food (eggs, cornflake, oatmeal, corn flour, pasta, oil, tomato sauce, sugar, etc.) I also bought teaching materials that the children did not have to attend school (notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, scorecards, etc.) We also brought sodas, cookies, candy so that the children could enjoy the afternoon at school. Everyone was very happy. I also bought used clothes to take them. Due to the pandemic, almost none of the parents work and their clothes were very damaged so I decided to bring clothes to all of them, as it is always my greatest happiness to go to the island and bring help to those children who need it. I feel always very. grateful for the valuable support of everyone, and the entire board of the project.

Thank you all, a big hug, greetings.

Lázaro

Coronavirus Care Package #2

Special thank you to our Spotlight Foundation Board Members:

Coronavirus Care Package #1

Estimados amigos que apoyaron a Lazaroproject para poder llevar ayuda a  familias de la Isla Zapatera, para enfrentar la pandemia del Coronavirus, debo agradecer en nombre de todas y cada una de las familias, las que viven momentos dificiles y que gracias a nuestro apoyo cambiaron, recibieron mucha alegría y productos que los ayudará a protegerse, son todos ustedes ángeles para estas personas, de parte de ellos les doy las gracias y mis muestras de admiracion y respeto, por  contribuir en una causa noble, Dios les bendiga a todos.

Fraternalmente.

Lázaro García.

Annual Presentation, 2019

Health Initiative 2019

School Supplies and Nutritious Foods, and a New White Board!

Message from Lázaro:

Good afternoon dear friends!

It is a pleasure to have this meeting with you. First of all I want to thank you for being part of Lazaro Project.

I thank you for working in this noble Project, I thank you for being builders of the future of many children in my country who have received your support. Lázaro Project has been of great impact in every body of the children of Denis Martínez School.

Since 2015, children have received food, educational materials, school bags, uniforms, shoes and this year was of great impact on the health side, thanks to their support the children had personalized medical attention they were wormed, vitaminized , and received basic medicines for health. They received toothpastes and toothbrushes, during medical attention we found children with low weight and many parasites, now that problem was resolved.

My country is currently experiencing a crisis that is 19 months, started in April 2018, since then life is very difficult, thousands of people are unemployed, hundreds of companies closed, more than 150 thousand people have emigrated to other countries looking for a job, In many homes the people get only for a meal time.
Dear friends, I hope you continue to supporting our children.

Today more than ever they need your support, I wish Lazaro Project could grow and to help more schools and children in my country.

God bless you, a hug to all.

Lázaro García.

2nd Semester Presentation, 2018

Message from Lázaro:

Dear friends who support Lázaro Project in the United States of America,

It is an honor to thank you for the great help that you provide for the kids of our school on Zapatera island.

Currently, my country is experiencing one of the biggest political upheavals in recent years that is affecting the form of life and economy of all Nicaraguans. In these difficult times in our history, your support has even higher a value than normal. For that reason, we are asking your ongoing support, and perhaps in the next year we can reach even more schools and students that need our support.

Once again I’d like to thank you, and be well assured your help is reaching the students that truly need it, and is having a great impact for their families.

I leave you with very cordial greetings,

Lázaro García.

En español:

Estimados amigos que apoyan Lázaro Project en los Estados Unidos de América.

Es un honor para mí dirigirme a ustedes para darle las gracias por esa gran ayuda que brindan para los niños de nuestra escuela en la isla Zapatera.

En la actualidad mi país vive una convulsión política de las más grandes de los últimos tiempos, que está afectando la forma de vida y la economía de todos los nicaragüenses, en estos momentos difíciles de nuestra historia su apoyo tiene un valor de mucho peso, y es por esa razón que solicitamos nos continúen apoyando, y quizás en el próximo año podamos llegar a más escuelas y más niños que necesitan de nuestro apoyo.

Una vez más agradezco su apoyo y tengan la plena seguridad que su ayuda está llegando a niños que verdaderamente lo necesitan y que está siendo de gran impacto en sus familias.

Me despido muy cordialmente de ustedes.

Lázaro García.

1st Semester Presentation, 2018

Over 4 years, we have raised $7,700 to provide nourishment and school supplies for our school in Nicaragua! We presented teachers and volunteer parents with certificates, and a big check to the school to commemorate our achievements thus far.

Wow – what a beginning to 2018! Finally, after four years supporting our school in Nicaragua, three of our board members were able to visit and meet the students, teachers, community, and island where the school is located! We had a party to celebrate all of our successes, and brought a giant suitcase of school supplies to leave with the school for their 2018 academic year. It was great to get a first-hand evaluation to see the successes and opportunities of the school. We were so thankful for the opportunity to enjoy time with the Isla Zapatera community, and even more motivated and inspired to continue donating, and making a bigger impact on these kids lives.

Ben taught the students how to play duck duck goose… “Pato pato ganzo!”

We were excited to leave students with a whole suitcase of school supplies!

Many parents watched through the windows as we distributed food and drinks to the kids for our party. It was a hot day and we packed the entire school of 70 students into this one classroom to celebrate!

Taco Passport

Dear Loyal Taco Passport Donors,

Thank you for joining our movement in 2018 and 2019 raising $20,000 for our Spotlight Foundation initiatives and partner charities here in Denver & Boulder!

We are taking a break this season, but looking forward to sharing tacos together for a good cause again in the near future. Please stay tuned for when we relaunch.

We wish you all health and safety during this Coronavirus pandemic.

-Taco Passport Team

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The Taco Passport is a Spotlight Foundation fundraising initiative. It was created with the goal of connecting communities, local restaurants and customers beyond their current reach, while raising money for remarkable charities. The Taco Passport is a booklet compiled of 2-for-1 coupons from some of the best local taquerias, restaurants, and food trucks in town. Some will be immediately recognizable to all, some will be brand new to the community and some will have a cult following. All of them have one thing in common: Delicious tacos! 100% of the proceeds will be going to charities.

2019 Partnerships

2018 Partnerships

With the $3,646.61 Taco Passport donation to Denver’s Food Bank of the Rockies, they’ll be able to provide nearly 15,000 meals ($1=4 meals).

With the $3,646.61 Taco Passport donation to Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), they will be able to provide hours of free legal representation to families navigating the complex immigration system.

Participating Denver Restaurants:

Participating Boulder Restaurants:

2nd Semester Presentation, 2017

This year’s student graduation was dedicated to the school’s cofounder Katia Córdova and her husband, Julio Delgadillo.

Message from Lázaro:

Hello dear friends! We end another year that has brought a lot of happiness to every kid at our school Denis Martínez on Zapatera Island. We have had a year of many successes, and personally I was able to visit your country for the very first time, and reunite with Ben after many years. We are already on our third consecutive year that, with all of your help, we have changed the lives of the kids, improving their quality of life by contributing to their quality of life and quality of education. It is incredible what can be done when you have a big heart willing to help those who are in need. Many thanks to all of you and your friends, with hopes that in the coming years we can expand to help other schools that need our help.

This past 6th of December was the end of our academic year with 70 students, who we have been able to support. Three young students have now graduated and will be attending high school in the nearby city of Granada – a new chapter of their lives.

A big hug to everybody and I hope that this year has brought you many sucesses and that you have a blessed Christmas and holiday season.

Sincerely,

Lázaro

En español:

Hola estimado amigo Ben!! Culminamos otro año en el que hemos llevado mucha alegría y felicidad a cada niño de la escuela Denis Martínez en la Isla Zapatera, ha sido un año de muchos éxitos, en lo personal pude conocer tu país y reunirme contigo después de muchos años, ya es el tercer año consecutivo en el que, con tu apoyo y de muchos otros amigos hemos cambiado la vida de los niños, mejorando su calidad de vida y contribuyendo a su educación y formación personal, resulta increíble lo que se puede hacer cuanto se tiene un gran corazón para apoyar aquellos que lo necesitan, muchas gracias a ti y a todos nuestros amigos que ponen su grano de arena y ojalá en años venideros podamos aumentar  la ayuda a otras escuelitas con niños que necesitan nuestro apoyo.

El pasado 06 de diciembre fue el cierre del año escolar en el que culminaron 70 escolares a los cuales hemos apoyado y terminan su primaria tres jóvenes los cuales van a secundaria a la ciudad de Granada, es una nueva etapa para sus vidas.

un abrazo a todos y que en este año que casi termina les deseo muchos éxitos y que pasen una navidad con muchas bendiciones.

saludos.

Lázaro García.

Expense Reports and Receipts Available To Donors Upon Request.

Lázaro Visits the USA!

Lázaro meets many of his supporters here in the USA, who have helped provide the funding for his school in Nicaragua over the last 3 years.

It was Lázaro’s lifelong dream to visit the USA! So we decided when his Visa was approved to design an epic trip he’d never forget. Lázaro flew into San Francisco where Ben drove out from Colorado to pick him up for a road trip! Ben and Lázaro met up with Matt, and for the first time in 13 years the 3 amigos were back together! The road trip then traveled from LA, to Vegas and back to Colorado. Lázaro had a lot of first times… saw the biggest buildings he’d every seen in his life in Las Vegas, even gambling $2 in a casino slot machine! He touched snow for the first time, went to his first major league baseball game, and hiked up Mount Sanitas in Boulder. It was a wonderful adventure and it only deepened all of our friendships with Lázaro and inspired us even more to keep working hard on our project to improve children’s lives and education in Nicaragua, with plans to grow our project and build it into a registered non profit!

At the Golden Gate Bridge!

Reunion! Finally after 13 years the three amigos meet up again. Matt, his wife Laura, Lázaro and Ben

Ben, Matt and Lázaro, 13 years later!

At the Hollywood sign!

In Las Vegas!

Our road trip ended in Ben’s home state, Colorado.

Lázaro touches snow for the first time!

Looking over Boulder. Ben, Lázaro and Ben’s husband, Shawn.

Lázaro at the fountains outside of Union Station in Denver.

Lázaro at his first major league baseball game, the Rockies!

Lázaro with Nell Rojas, Ben and Kevin Johns

Many nights we shared different meals – and Lázaro prepared a Nicaraguan quesadilla – delicious!!!

Ben, Lazaro and Shawn on their last day together before Lázaro’s flight home.