27 November, 2009 | President's Message....

GOENKARARANCHEO DHIRIO
(GOAN UNITY)

It does not matter where we have come from. All that matters is where we are going.

For years, Goans migrated to every continent on the globe, finding social community and support from their Goan Association.

In Vancouver today, there are many Goans who have spent very little time in Goa, and some none at all. Most have adopted the habits and cultures of the places they emigrated from, and we now adopt a Canadian culture.

The common thread we all have, is our ancestral bond and the Goan Association. Although not everyone would agree that the Goan Associations are the anchor to which these communities are tethered, as it was and is all over the world, I would say, it is.

There are a great many who ask "what is the Association doing for me" and few who say "what can I do for my fellow Goans". I hope you all will reflect and realize that without this Association, you might not have met some of the friends you now have.

I ask you to support your Goan Association, even if all you do is join the membership and pay your fees. The intangible benefits you will reap will outweigh the negative.

We are equally glad to have you all regardless of which part of the world you came from, and I hope all your contributions help to make this a more tolerant, stronger, better, and vibrant Goan Association.

We must have a long term goal to keep us from being held back by short term differences.

Our thanks to all the donors in this brochure, especially those who continue to support us year after year.

Sam Correia, President

22 November, 2009 | Calling for volunteers – GOA Vancouver Homeless Lunch Program

The GOA Vancouver “ Team with a Heart" could once again use your help to serve lunch to the homeless of East Side Vancouver.

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Venue: First United Church Mission
Address: 320 East Hastings St. @ Gore, Vancouver

Assistance is required to help set up, serve lunch, pour coffee and juice ... and clean up. Please come out and make a difference - we need your help. Rides can be arranged.

Send your names to:
Isabel Pinto 604.940.4467 bellpinto@gmail.com or
Maurice Fernandes 604.946.9636 maurice_fernandes@telus.net

Please feel free to pass this on to your family and friends.

HISTORY: GOA Vancouver Team with a Heart Homeless Lunch Program

The "Team with a Heart" initiative is a collaboration with the First United Church Mission at Hastings & Gore, an organization that serves meals every day to the impoverished residents of the Downtown Eastside, the poorest neighbourhood in Canada. We provide a service to fulfill our mandate as a caring organization, by donating food and clothing with the very generous support of members and friends of the GOA Vancouver. The GOA thanks all the volunteers and the sponsors who have worked with a strong focus for this cause.

The lunch program prepared and served by volunteers, both from within our community and their friends, is undertaken up to four times a year, on a Sunday. The event focuses on the team effort in a busy kitchen while the bulk of volunteers welcome and seat with table service, serving close to 200 homeless men and women. The end of year lunch is animated with carol singing and usually brings out the musical talents of the homeless guests. The interaction with these less fortunate gives one an insight into some of the shortcomings of our society, while providing a short respite from the cruel street for a couple of hours. This is a great community event and we encourage our youth to get more involved in it.

The menu items vary and have included samosas, soup, chilli, sandwiches, chicken, meat sauce-pasta, garlic bread, cookies, desert and beverages. People from the various community groups (eg: Surrey, Richmond, Ladner, Vancouver, etc.) take turns hosting the meal production at their homes.

They also hold drives to collect socks, toques, shampoos, soap, towels and other sundry items which they hand out after the lunch. All contributions to this program are welcomed and appreciated.

Please come out and make a difference or enquire about sponsoring an event. We need your help..... Rides can always be arranged.

2009
The "Team with a Heart" hosted our first lunch for 2009 on Sunday, 26 April at the First United Church. The event was sponsored by a couple (who prefer to remain unnamed) celebrating their silver (25th) wedding anniversary - with their family and friends attending to help serve lunch to the homeless.

Plans for 2010
We hope to have four events in 2010. However, there is a cost associated and sponsors are needed for this worthy cause - $500 per event, serving lunch and socks or other required items for over 200 people. This would be a wonderful way to commemorate an anniversary, milestone or other notable occasion. Monies can be sent directly to the GOA Vancouver, with a note of explanation.

21 November, 2009 | Y-GOA Winter Wonderland, Semi-Formal Mixer