Surprises come in all forms including good and bad. I was certainly not expecting to get put down by an upper respiratory viral infection this past weekend which has managed to keep me mostly horizontal until today. This morning things feel much better. Well, feeling 50% better is wonderful compared to how it has been. Yes, there is joy in the morning!
Thank you for the notes and phone calls. I am certainly appreciative beyond words.
So let’s get the focus back on the Learning Center and some of the updates that are important to note.
I promised to introduce you to both Emory & Henry College Bonner Scholar students heading to Copey in May to perform volunteer services. You have met Casey and now I present to you Xavier Marshall. 
Xavier is a Sophomore from Fredericksburg, Virginia majoring in Spanish and pursuing a minor in Biology. Similar to Casey, Xavier is also very active and busy beyond his college studies. He is an Emergency Medical Service volunteer pursuing his medical interpreting license with long range goals including attending medical school. In addition, he provides campus tours in support of the Admissions Office and supports his education by working at a campus restaurant. Xavier sums up his interest in this volunteer opportunity in Copey with these words…”I can’t wait to come to Copey and meet all of the wonderful people. I know that this summer will be one that I will never forget.” From the point of view of the “Friends of Copey”, Xavier will be a very exciting part of the volunteer team taking his strong interest in medical services, Spanish, and biology to the Learning Center and the community of Copey.
I will provide frequent updates on Xavier and Casey’s pending departure scheduled for May and their work while in Copey. I can predict with certainty, both students will make a major impact on both the community and the kids in Copey. And I also predict they will return from Costa Rica transformed from their experiences. I know!
In other news, my very supportive Kiwanis Club recently approved “Friends of Copey” to 
move forward in its efforts to set up a Learning Center K-Kids Program that would be sponsored (financially supported) by our Club. This is “HUGE” and maybe…just maybe the first K-Kids Program of its kind. This is in its earliest stage of development and I will keep you posted on this.
I am a 100% believer in Kiwanis and its commitment to children in our own community as well as nearly a continent away. Make no mistake about it, The Kiwanis Club of Tri-Cities Industry is a shinning example of what serving the “children of the world” can look like. If there are other Kiwanis Clubs out there listening, get in touch with me. There is plenty of room from more service in Costa Rica.
We had a planned Skype session between Jefferson Elementary K-Kids and the Learning Center students yesterday that I had to cancel. We will reschedule.
More great news is breaking as I write this and I will catch you up in my next Post. In the meantime, I still have some work to do to get back in shape to deal with most of this. Thanks for all of your support and well wishes.