Please join us for the Oceanic Ventures Foundation’s, A Night in Old Havana. In the 1930’s and 1940’s Havana was an elegant get away for people wanting to experience something different. These were the times of Ernest Hemingway, Joseph Russell and the Copa Cabãna; there were stylish casinos and big band acts featuring actresses like Carmen Miranda. In our photograph taken from Eric’s family album, his Grandfather and Grandmother sit back in the country club relaxing and enjoying the company of their friends. That photo reminds us of happier times and the joy of being with friends and family.
The Event
It is the spirit of Old Havana that we are hosting a charity auction and holiday shopping event complete with cocktails and hors d’oeurves. It is being held at the Oceanic Ventures Facility.
- What: A Night in Old Havana Charity Event
- When: Sunday, 3 November 2013
- Time: 5:30 – 8:30
- Where: Oceanic Ventures Facility, 2715 Bissonnet, Suite 302 Houston, Texas 77005
- Cost: $10.00 Donation
- Evening Includes: Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, a preview of this year’s holiday specials, gifts from around the world, and a sealed bid auction.
- What to expect: See our Sealed Bid Auction form here.
We hope you enjoy the evening and thank you for supporting our store and the Foundation.
Background
Photo by Donna Collins
Over twenty years ago, Ann started the Oceanic Ventures school project to help schools and students in the areas we dive. At least that was the stated reason. The truth is Ann loves children and the has fun interacting with them and introducing them to new things (ask the little boys she taught to snorkel in the Solomon Islands). One way of doing this is to bring school supplies to local schools. She found that teachers are very appreciative and the students love meeting people from other places. Over the years, our divers have contributed paper, pencils, calculators, maps, construction paper, office supplies, books and other useful items to schools in Mexico, Little Cayman, Fiji, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Truk Lagoon, Kosrai and other diving destinations that we visit. Each one of the school visits is a special event for both the teachers and students as well as the visitors.
During these school visits, we found that the schools and the communities we visit needed more assistance. The Oceanic Ventures Foundation was born out of this vision. Since then, we have helped schools, villages and even a home for Boys in Grand Cayman. Who would have ever thought of a little dive shop in Houston Texas having their name on a wall at a local school in the Philippines? Ann’s mother certainly could not have imagined it and yet that is precisely what happened in Puerto Galera where our diving friends helped us bring water and restrooms into a school, hire additional teachers, electrify the classrooms, introduce computers and computerized educational software, and beautify the grounds to make the entire school experience better for the students.
The school in the Philippines has been a true miracle in giving and Anne the administrator of the school has done wondrous things with the money and supplies donated. Adding water and restroom to the school did more than improve hygiene; it prneuded a method to improve the appearance of the school and introduced school pride by allowing the students to add flower gardens to the school grounds. If you visit the school, you will see students watering the plants with cans filled with the water that one of our clients paid to have brought in. But this event is more than asking for donations, it is really a way for people to experience the local cultures.
The First School Project Auction in 2006
Our annual party was hatched by Pam Radford and Ann. During a trip to the Philippines, Ann was negotiating with the local sales ladies who were selling hand woven baskets. She turned to Pam and said, “I can’t say no.” Pam just looked at her and said “um, what are you going to do with all of those baskets?” They hatched the idea of an auction and she agreed to furnish the wine that year! Shopping for Charity was born and the first year we raised $1,500 in proceeds and donations (one of our teaching staff even donated his teaching revenues to the cause). The owners of the Atlantis Resort in Puerto Galera were impressed that we were able to raise the money for their community and they agreed to match the contribution.
Some of the recipients of our charitable activities were:
- The Fancudo Lopez School, Puerto Galera, Philippines
- The Village School Viti Levu, Fiji
- The Community School, Solomon Islands
- Bangkok Primary School, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dumaguete Community School, Dumaguete Philippines
- The Wairiki Catholic Church & School, Taveuni Fiji
- The Bonaventure Home for Boys in Grand Cayman
Of course, Ann has continued to purchase local handicrafts to sell during the holiday season and during the auction.
