GUELPH, Ontario — The children at Casa Hogar Liborio Espinosa Orphanage in Manzanillo, Mexico, received a few surprises last year thanks to the philanthropic efforts of Frank and Joan Pavan.
In November, the Pavans transported a restyled 1995 Blue Bird school bus filled with toys, bicycles, clothing and other items purchased at an auction and donated by such organizations as Rotary Club from their home in Guelph to the Mexican orphanage.
The Pavans began working with the orphanage several years ago. They are part of a committee (which also includes residents of Edmonton, Alberta; Chicago; and Arizona) that works to acquire funding and supplies for the orphanage.
During their first year of involvement, Joan Pavan said she and her husband, who owns an automobile collision repair shop — Golden Triangle Collision Ltd. — helped to organize a fundraiser held at a hotel in Manzanillo, and they raised nearly $16,000. They continued the tradition last year.
“The people that do the entertaining for the hotel guests are part of our show,” Pavan explained. “We charge a fee to those who attend, and the proceeds go to the orphanage.”
The Pavans also participated in a toy drive. Their largest contribution, however, was the school bus.
For the last few years, the children had been transported around town in a 1950s bus. “The bus was really on its last legs and was no longer functional,” Pavan said.
Because the bus could not be repaired, the Pavans worked with Martha Jakowlew of Elliott Coach Lines Ltd. (which was acquired by Student Transportation of Canada [STC] in 2007) to obtain another bus.
Jakowlew is a member of the Pavans’ golf club. She put them in touch with STC officials, who, after hearing about the Pavans’ work with the orphanage, were happy to donate the bus, Pavan said.
Frank Pavan and his employees at Golden Triangle Collision shortened the back end of the bus so that it is easier to maneuver on Manzanillo’s streets, and he called upon a friend who is a welder to cut down the rear axle and reconstruct the bus.
In the future, Pavan said she and her husband plan to assist the orphanage’s board of directors with major purchases.
“Our function will be to organize proposals and, perhaps, if there are funds available, to help them get competitive pricing and comparative value,” Pavan revealed.
They also plan to reach out to local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs to secure funding to renovate the orphanage’s kitchen.
“The reward that we get from this emotionally is pretty great. Whatever you put in, you get back a lot more,” Pavan said.