February 2010 Distribution Day

February 22nd, 2010

 

On February 19th, 2010 at 9:30 AM, I returned to El Talon since my first distribution on July 18th, 2009.  Everyone knew that I was going that day because I contacted the community leader, Dolores, the day before.  I let her know only one day in advance due to security reasons.  When I went to El Talon, the kiosk where I did my first distribution was already packed with chairs and a long table that Dolores let me borrow.  My family and I began to prepare the kiosk with all the donations, which were taken by family members in their large van.  The Colombian National Police in Turbaco had been in El Talon since 8 AM waiting for my arrival.  They had dividers to block the road just for my distribution, and many officers were there to avoid any issues.  Everyone in El Talon remembered me and they were all very happy when they saw me; it felt great to know that so many people were happy to see me because they knew I was going to help them.  I was speaking to many people that I originally interviewed in December 2008, and they all couldn't believe how faithful I was with them and my promise, which was to return to El Talon with help.  I took out my large Colombian flag, and set it on top of the table, to express how proud I am to be of Colombian descent.  I wanted to put an American flag, but unfortunately, I left it here in Orlando.

The event was now scheduled to begin at 11 AM, since Miss Colombia was running late.  However, by 10:30 AM, I had a Gaita group (folkoric music of the caribbean coast of Colombia) already playing so the people of El Talon could have music while we waited for Miss Colombia.  At 10:45 AM, we began with the speeches; I officially spoke first, followed by my cousin and contributor, Teofilo Del Rio, the commander of the Colombian Civil Defense, and Dolores.  During this whole process, the Civil Defense gave free haircuts to the children of El Talon, they took people's blood pressure, and healed small injuries. 

At 11 AM, I was informed that Miss Colombia would arrive in a short amount of time, and I informed the police and the Civil Defense.  It was very cool because the Civil Defense lined up for their arrival.  When they arrived, the chaperone, Gilma, wanted me to receive them as soon as they got out of their vehicle.  Their vehicle was surrounded by police officers, since they are important personalities in Colombia.  The first to get out was Leydi Viviana Gomez, first runner up in the Miss Colombia pagaent and representative of Colombia in the Miss International pagaent; she was very kind to me when she presented herself and not to mention beautiful.  After her came Natalia Navarro Galvis, Miss Colombia 2010; she will represent Colombia in the next Miss Universe pagaent.  When she got out of the vehicle, she gave me a huge hug and seemed very happy to once again be in my event.  As soon as she hugged me, she showed me the bracelet I had bought her for all her support!  Natalia was extremely humble, and she was just as nice as the first distribution when she was Miss Bolivar 2009.  After I greeted them, she introduced me to Father Rafael Castillo, a priest who helps the needy in Carmen de Bolivar (Bolivar, Colombia); he was with them because after my distribution, they would go to Carmen de Bolivar for another social cause with the priest.  We then walked to the kiosk through the lined up Civil Defense members while the Gaita played to celebrate their arrival.  The crowd was very excited to see them; they surrounded the beauty queens to get their autographs, and they gladly gave them all the autographs people asked them for.  There was even a lady that wouldn't stop hugging Miss Colombia, and at that moment I knew that I had to get them out of the crowd as soon as possible. 

They went into the kiosk, and both gave very good speeches supporting my campaign.  I noticed how Natalia turned around and showed Viviana all the donations that I took: "Look at everything he brought...unbelieveable..." said Natalia to Viviana.  Both were asking me about my campaign, and were happy to see it growing.  We then took pictures, listened to the live Gaita, and they began to leave.  There were many photographers, especially from the press. 

As soon as they left, we began to prepare for the actual distribution of donations.  Similar to my first distribution, every bag had the name of a representative of one whole family.  That person was called, had to sign their name for my records, and show me their ID (cedula).  After an hour or so, not one family in El Talon was left without a donation, and that meant that my mission had been completed.  We then began to clean up the kiosk, and when I write we, I mean my family, the Civil Defense, and the Colombian National Police. 

We all went back to my family's home in Turbaco where I had cousins cooking rice and chicken (arroz con pollo) for every police officer, family member, and Civil Defense member that helped me with my campaign.  The police officers were very happy to be able to help me out with my cause, and they stayed for almost an hour simply talking with my family and I.  They have a small radio station which gets coverage throughout Turbaco, Arjona, Turbana, and other municipalities in the area, and they wanted to interview me.  At around 6 PM, I went to the police station and participated in their rush hour show, and they even wanted me to speak English on air. 

After my interview, I was informed that RCN had aired an interview nationwide; they interviewed me two days before my distribution.  That same night, I was also informed that an article would be published on El Universal, Cartagena's largest and most important newspaper.  The following day, I had to go to Cartagena at 9 AM.  I was already on the street, when my cousin called me back and told me, "Supposedly, Raimundo Angulo is on the line...but I think it's your dad trying to mess with you...", and I went back and took the call, thinking it was my dad trying to pull a prank on me.  When I took the call, I was about to say something along the lines of, "Stop messing with me, I'm in a rush...", but as soon as I heard his voice, I knew it was Raimundo Angulo, President of the Miss Colombia Organization (Concurso Nacional de Belleza).  He called from Bogota to congradulate me for my successful distribution, and to let me know that the beauty queens were very satisfied with their visit to El Talon.  He also informed me that he would continue to support my campaign due to my honesty with him, and everyone in his organization.  Finally, he told me that he was very proud of the fact that I made headlines on El Universal.  Of course, I was very happy with his call, and relieved that I didn't say anything to him thinking it was my dad.  After I hung up, I went to Cartagena's walled city, and bought eight copies of El Universal, and I noticed why Raimundo Angulo had called me earlier that morning.  I made the third page of their Saturday edition, and it was almost a full page.  As soon as you opened the newspaper, the first thing you saw was pictures of my event...I had no idea that my event would have so much coverage. 

After having lunch with my cousin in Zeno's Pizza in Boca Grande, I went back to Turbaco.  When I got there, everyone was congradulating me for my campaign, and I can honestly say that most people know me in Turbaco because of my social work.  I had a party that night to celebrate my campaign's success, and I hired a Vallenato group; they even dedicated songs to my social work.  The reason why I am writing all this, which is somewhat personal, is because these are all examples that show why I am so proud of being of Colombian descent; everyone showed me their appreciation for my work, and that to me was my prize for all my work in Colombia.  Many people ask me, "You have two jobs, go to school full time, and are always working on your campaign...is it even worth it?", and my response is always YES.  I admit that all my work is very tiring, but it is all worth it at the end.  The next day (Sunday, February 21st, 2010), I had to return to my native country.  I left with a sense of satisfaction, and I couldn't help feel proud of my work.  My cousin asked me on the way to the airport, "Are you leaving satisfied?", and I responded, "Of course I am; I helped a whole town, I took two national personalities to a needy community, I was featured on El Universal, one of my interviews was aired nationwide, I have the satisfaction of knowing that my family really cares about my cause, and I have many supporters...how can I not leave satisfied?"  Colombia has opened its doors for me, and I am proud of that.  I can honestly say that this month's distribution was excellent, and I cannot wait to return over the summer for another distribution. 

Thanks to the following for all their support:

• My whole family in Turbaco, Bolivar (Colombia).
• My parents, Hugo and Lourdes, and my sister, Carrie.
• Timber Creek High School students and staff.
• Valencia Community College students and staff that donated.
• The central Florida community that donated all the clothes, toys, and shoes to everyone in El Talon.
• The central Florida media that allowed the central Florida community to get informed about my project.
• The Miss Colombia Organization (Concurso Nacional de Belleza), especially the President of the organization, Raimundo Angulo Pizarro.
• Miss Colombia, Natalia Navarro Galvis:  this beauty queen has been so kind and involved with my campaign, I have a lot of appreciation for her.
• First runner up in the Miss Colombia pagaent, Leydi Viviana Gomez.
• Samuel Alvarez from El Universal.
• The staff of RCN in Cartagena.
• The whole Colombian National Police in Turbaco, Bolivar (Colombia).
• The Colombian Civil Defense of Turbaco.
• Tampa Cargo in Miami, Florida and Barranquilla, Colombia.
• U-Haul in Orlando, Florida.
• Castle Creek Elementary School in Orlando, Florida.
• Nancy at the Customs and Border Protection office at the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla, Colombia.
• Everyone in Turbaco, Bolivar that helped me with my campaign.
• Finally and most importantly, the people of El Talon that allowed me to go to their community.

"Que viva Colombia..."