| Over $7,500 was donated to the Blanco family when Raven first passed away. Mario and Robin decided to purchase new playground equipment for the preschool that their children attended as a thank you for all the love and support the church and their members provided the Blancos while they dealt with the loss of their eldest daughter. |
| Mario Blanco purchased 100 soccer balls at a local sporting goods store. Mario passed the balls around to his family, friends, and neighbors, asking everyone to add a little something to the circular canvas. Autographs, quotes, drawings, and messages of hope adorned the balls. Mario wanted the children in South Africa to know that there were people thinking about them - an ocean apart, but connected in love. Mario gave the soccer balls to those same children that captivated his heart during his first visit to South Africa. Their faces illuminated with joy! Bouncing balls and smiling faces revived Mario. The real gift was given to him. For the first time since he lost Raven, he saw her smile reflected in the bright faces of these South African children. Raven was there. |
Mario, Raven’s father, watched his world crumble after the death of his first born child. He left living, lost somewhere in the limbo of grief. He could not move in the fog. For a little over a year, Mario spent his day’s sitting by his daughter’s grave site and writing to Raven on her website every day. One day, love and chance gave Mario the strength to pick himself up.
A new venture promised awakening. Mario invested in a piece of land in South Africa, determined to rise again. While visiting the property and touring the area, Mario encountered children scattered in the streets, dressed in tattered clothing and kicking up sand. This picture stayed with Mario. Planning for his next excursion incited him to purchase 100 soccer balls at the local sporting goods store. The mission began: Mario passed the balls around to his family, friends, and neighbors, asking everyone to add a little something to the circular canvas. Autographs, quotes, drawings, and messages of hope adorned the balls. Mario wanted the children to know that there were people thinking about them - an ocean apart, but connected in love.
Upon arriving once more in South Africa, Mario gave the soccer balls to those same children that captivated his heart. He had no idea what he was doing. Their faces illuminated with joy! Bouncing balls and smiling faces revived Mario. The real gift was given to him. For the first time in almost two years, he saw Raven’s smile reflected in the bright faces of these South African children. Raven was there.
In that moment, Mario realized his life’s purpose, grateful to Raven for bringing it to him. He could hear her voice, “Yes, daddy, this is what you should do…Help the children!” Raven would have loved this! She would have seen the need and jumped in to help. Her spirit played in the winds, glimpses of purple dashed through the air. Mario, able to breathe again, knew this was something he had to continue.
When he returned to the states, a new man set foot on the ground. The mission was clear. Mario opened the Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc. with the intent of motivating all proceeds to help children around the globe. His first project is to build a school, recreation center, and church for those same children he gave the soccer balls to. Mario has already invested over $10,000 of his personal funds, but he needs your help in raising the additional $20,000 needed for completion. We are taking one step at a time, starting slowly, but ready to run when the funds meet the vision. Please give what you can. Help Mario make his daughter proud by giving to her name. Together, we can create new life, new hope, and new love for the world’s forgotten; we can fulfill the potential that danced vibrantly in Raven’s eyes.
Please note that your donation will go to which ever project you choose to support. If you would like to make a general donation you can use the link on the very bottom of the page or any of the links not directly tied to a specific project.
You will see the project name displayed on the shopping cart page when you check out. If you would rather mail your donation, you can do so by sending a check or money order to:
The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, Inc.
PO BOX 65581
Virginia Beach, VA 23467
To ensure that your contribution reaches the right project please add the name of the project in the subject line or include a note that outlines how you would like us to apply your donation. If you include an email address we will send you a confirmation.
| Our 5-year plan calls for us to place 5,000 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in areas of need across the country. As per the American Red Cross (ARC) website the definition of an AED is: "An AED is a small, portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the heart of someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm." ARC |
Children Visiting the Dentist |
| We are raising money that will help us purchase the supplies needed to sew toothfairy "comfort" pillows. These pillows will be donated to dentist offices, so they can be given to children who are going to the dentist for the first time or who are scared and need something to hold on to during their visit. They will also act as a place for the child to place their tooth when they lose it! Not only do we require financial support, we are also seeking contributions of fabric, batting and thread. You can call (757.222.2876) or email Nicole Cunha to set up arrangements to send any of the required materials. Furthermore, if you would like to volunteer your time to sew these dolls please contact Nicole Cunha to request information on how to get involved. |
| Mario is breaking ground on the piece of property he purchased. We are seeking to raise $20,000 to partner with Mario's $10,000, to help at-risk, orphaned children in South Africa by providing them with a safe place to play, learn, and grow. RMBF is building a School/Recreation Center/Church. We are also providing the children with dental hygiene products. Mario's last trip was in November, 2010 and he left a four month supply of toothpaste, toothbrushes, flouride rinse, Xylitol candy and Xylitol wipes for the infants. Each $25.00 donation can provide a child in the US and South Africa with a one month supply of dental hygiene products that will protect them from tooth decay. We share more than an ocean with these bright-eyed youths – we share hope. Please help us to help them. |
For general donations please use the link below. Donations made through this campaign will go to the project most in need. Thank you for your much needed support!
