So Many Fun Ways to Help the Community Happening Soon!

Even the most curmudgeonly, baaa-humbugged Grinch can’t help but feel a twinkle of community spirit around the holidays. Add in the beautiful “cold front” that swept in over the last 24 hours with lower humidity and temperatures in the mid-70s and…it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas on Ambergris Caye.

And there are a slew of community activities and fundraisers taking place over the next few weeks that are a GREAT way to start the season – both the holiday season and – equally important on this island – the tourism season!

Here’s a list of things on my radar where you can put that spirit of holiday giving into action:

North Ambergris Alliance‘s Mile-by-Mile Clean-Up Continues North

The THIRD clean-up is finally ON! (After a few weeks of weather delays) From Mile 3 to 4 (remember the official miles start in Central Park, downtown San Pedro) The clean-up route is from El Pescador Resort to Las Terrazas Resort and everywhere in between. There are some serious debris-hotspots along this strip so we can use EVERYONEs help.

Mile 3 to 4 contains the following businesses: Capricorn, Belizean Cove, NayBaz Store and the coconut guys, Captain Morgans, Ocean 23, Coco Beach Resort, the old Wyndham/Venezia Construction, the end of the pavement, Seascape Villas, Blue Dolphin up to Las Terrazas and the always mysterious Essene Way (one of the most intriguing spots in Belize)

You don’t need to do the entire 3 hours – just join in when and where you can. All hands are needed to get this island looking her best for the coming season.

SAGA Humane Society Auction

Belize’s first humane society housing dozens of dogs and even more cats just moved into their new facility and it looks pretty fantastic. A new compound, care for all the onsite cuties AND the island’s strays and pets…it, as you can imagine, requires funds.

The folks that volunteer and work at SAGA are absolutely incredible. And there is a Christmas online auction – with donated items from SCUBA diving at the Blue Hole to 3-Night Stayslodging around the island for you to bid on. All the money goes to SAGA. Or…you can just make a donation to this epic organization.

You can check out all the auction items here. Thanks to all of the incredible businesses on the island that donated!

Someplace South CafeBar Lip Sync Fundraiser For ACES

ACES Wildlife Rescue is another incredible team on the island helping Ambergris Caye’s animals – that are not dogs and cats. 24-hours a day, they will respond to calls for help with any animals from boa constrictors to 13 foot American crocodiles and everything in between (turtles, bunnies, ducks, song birds, iguanas, raccoons, everything!)

A few weeks ago, their golf cart (the main mode of transportation) broke down and they needed help. Someplace South CafeBar (about 2.5 miles south of town) stepped in to help in a BIG way. They are having a big fundraiser THIS SUNDAY!

With raffles, an auction (like a private 10 person cruise on YOLO! really great stuff!), prizes, and…yes, lip-syncing. With prizes! 1st Place $500bz, 2nd $300bz & 3rd $200bz!

If you don’t know ACES, check out my post about a visit to their facilities last year. Chris, a lover of these animals, the head of (and heart behind) ACES, admired by everyone who knew him, passed away earlier this year. I still think of you often Chris.

The event is Sunday, November 24th, from 5 to 9 p.m. More information is available on Someplace South’s Facebook event page.

Donate To The Santa Cause Team

Xiomara and Zair at the wonderful San Pedro Veterinary Clinic put together goody bags and head out into the neighborhoods to bring joy and love and Santa. Donations of money, candy and and small toys (like stickers, plastic figures) would be SO appreciated!

You can find their Facebook page here.

Donate to Santa’s Block Party

My friend Dawn and Al organize and throw an amazing party each year for the kids and families in…

Al is probably growing out his beard right now…he makes a FANTASTIC Santa.

Here’s ALL the information.

And…these are not in any particular order (I promise you!)

The 6th Annual Turkey Trot

A bit of running to start a big traditional day of eating! And…all of the proceeds go to charity: The amazing Hope Haven. Here are all the details and here’s a photo from 2023.

Donate to the San Pedro Food Bank

I am reposting this list that they have on their Facebook page. Such a great idea to have a giving advent calendar!

There are so many folks doing so many cool things on this island! If you are coming down and have room in your bag, think about being a Holiday Elf and bringing some toys and/or candy. Things like imported toys and candy here are more expensive than in the US or Canada, and selections are really limited.Maybe message one of these groups and see if they need anything.

Thank you so much, y’all and to these INCREDIBLE groups and individuals making Christmas special for all of us.