Interview with Mano a Mano Pilot Ivo Martinez
Ivo Martinez recently talked about the importance of our aviation program in Bolivia:
3M Provides Grant to Mano a Mano on Behalf of 3M Volunteers
The 3M Foundation has donated $500 to Mano a Mano in recognition of Mark Petzoldt and Ruben Velasquez’ commitment to the community.
Mark donated more than 100 hours to Mano a Mano last year, and has volunteered with Mano a Mano for our entire time in existence (he has won our Volunteer of the Year numerous times!). Ruben also donated more than 20 hours to Mano a Mano last year, and has been an active volunteer for a long time as well.
Mark loading wheelchairs on a shipment of donated medical supplies to Bolivia in Summer 2011
“3M employees and retirees generously give their time and skills to help others,” said Robin Torgerson, vice-president, 3M Community Affairs. “We are please to recognize their commitment to their communities.”
“Mano a Mano is very grateful for this generous support from 3M. We are always happy to recognize our volunteers who are such a critical piece to Mano a Mano’s success,” said Mano a Mano Executive Director Dan Narr.
As part of the 3M Volunteer Match, the 3M Foundation will donate $250 to eligible non-profit orgranizations for which a 3M employee volunteers 20 hours or a 3M retiree volunteers 25 hours or more per calendar year. For more information on this program, please contact 3M Community Affairs at 651-733-0144 or at their website.
Thanks 3M and our great volunteers!
Our First International Flight
With the recent addition of two twin-engine planes, there are many exciting new opportunities for our aviation program. One of the major improvements is that the twin-engine planes can fly much further and faster, enabling us to fly to other countries in South America.
Flight to Santiago, Chile
We are happy to report that our Piper Navajo twin-engine plane recently completed the first international flight for Mano a Mano, flying from Cochabamba, Bolivia to Santiago, Chile!
Mano a Mano's Piper Navajo plane
This flight was a test to see how everything functioned, including flight duration (it took 14 hours round-trip), fuel usage and cost, legal requirements, and other formalities that are part of flying across international borders. It also provided our staff a chance to gain practical experience for these types of flights that will be happening much more in the future.
Festival Bolivia 2012 Next Week to Support Aviation Program
We are very excited with the many opportunities that are becoming available with our expanded aviation program! Mano a Mano is hosting a Festival Bolivia 2012 event at the St. Paul Hotel in St. Paul, MN on April 20, 2012 in support of our aviation projects. You can learn more about the event and buy tickets here; tickets are only available for a few more days.
If you are unable to attend but would like to support the event with a donation you can do that here.
Pictures from First Flight in Navajo
We mentioned earlier this week that our twin-engine plane is now flying! Having a twin-engine plane is of huge importance for our aviation program; the plane has room for 10 passengers, can be flown at night and in bad weather, and is equipped with the de-ice equipment that enables it to fly in lower temperatures.
It took passengers to Uyuni and Tarija on private flights throughout the weekend, marking its first seven hours of flight in Bolivia. More pictures of its inaugural flights are here.
At the Uyuni airport
Flying above the clouds
Live Auction Items for Festival Bolivia 2012
Mano a Mano is hosting its 3rd annual Spring Gala at the St. Paul Hotel on April, 20, 2012 (for tickets or more information click here). It’s only 2 weeks away! If you haven’t registered yet please do so soon; space is limited and ticket sales are well ahead of last year.
This year’s focus is on our aviation program, which has expanded to now include 4 airplanes which provide a wide variety of services in Bolivia. As part of our event we will have a live auction; here are the great items that are up for grabs!
Timeshare Condo in Vail, Colorado
The condo has 2 bedrooms and is available for August 24-31. On-site amenities include a clubhouse; cooking facilities, fireplace, TV and DVD (in the unit); laundry, playground, racquetball, sauna/steam room, outdoor swimming pool, and hot tub. Nearby are many outdoor activities including biking, hiking, fishing, golf, horseback riding, skiing, and ice skating.
- Donor: Anonymous
- Value: $1,800
Condo Stay on Sanibel Island, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico
- Donors: David and Karen Olson
- Value: $1,800
White Pelican Condo
Sanibel Island Beach
Dinner with Mano a Mano Co-Founders Joan and Segundo Velasquez
- Donors: Joan and Segundo Velasquez
- Value: Priceless!
Gold Earrings
- Donors: Amy and Cesar Velasquez
- Value: $250
Handmade Quilt
- Donor: Mary Pozzini
- Value: $500
‘Wall of Wine’ – 12 bottles
- Donor: Surdyk’s
- Value: $360
The Saint Paul Hotel “Four Diamond Package”
The “Four Diamond Package” includes overnight deluxe hotel accommodations for two, a bottle of wine delivered on arrival, continental breakfast in the M St. Cafe for two, and turndown service with mineral water & special room preparations.
- Donor: St. Paul Hotel
- Value: $229