Ahead of the Fundacion MIR Family Weekend next Saturday the 10th of August, we got together with Henry Gonzalez, the Group Director of Tiffany’s for Miami and West Palm to talk about his participation and continued support of the cause. Gonzalez shared with us his passion for the Fundación MIR, as well as his growing love for not only Casa de Campo, which he repeatedly referred to as “paradise”, but also the Dominican Republic and its people.
@cdcliving: How long have you and Tiffany’s been supporting the Fundación MIR and why?
I’ve been coming to the MIR event for 7 years. It’s been six years since we’ve been doing the “mystery blue box” fundraiser. The reason we do it is because it’s always been the practice of Tiffany’s to help their customers with their efforts in the community to make it a better place to live and a better place to be and this is such a beautiful cause.
@cdcliving: How did the collaboration between Tiffany’s and Fundación MIR come about?
Seeing the impact that this foundation has with the kids and then with the family was something that just made it easy, no decision needed to be made, it was just something that we would love to do.
@cdcliving: What can you say has changed positively throughout the years, both in the event and Casa de Campo?
I think there’s continued growth in both the event and in Casa de Campo. It’s almost a fantasy to come to Casa de Campo. I’ve watched it grow, watched how more people discover Casa de Campo, while also discovering the Fundación MIR and their beautiful cause.
@cdcliving: What is that one place in Casa de Campo that you would consider your favorite?
That one is hard; there are so many beautiful places. I would probably say Altos de Chavon; it has got that historical feel to it, it has nature, it has that beautiful view. It just encompasses everything that Casa de Campo is.
@cdcliving: How would you describe the Dominican Republic and its people?
I think the biggest surprise for me when I first came here was how nice and welcoming the Dominican people are. There are a lot of tropical beautiful places, but the warmth and the welcoming and accommodating spirit of the Dominican people has made it a place where a lot of people have figured out “this is where we want to be.”
@cdcliving: Had you come before participating as a supporter of the Fundación MIR?
I had come to the Dominican Republic before, but not to Casa de Campo. So when I first came seven years ago it caught me a little bit by surprise. It was this hidden little treasure sitting in the Caribbean that you didn’t quite know about.
@cdcliving: What are your expectations for this upcoming event?
It’s going to be a fun night and what better way of helping such a great cause than to be spending it with your friends either playing golf or enjoying a great party and knowing that all of that effort and all of the money spent there is going to such a wonderful cause. So I expect it to be like it always is, something that is “un éxito”, something very special.
@cdcliving: What did you do before working for Tiffany’s and how did you start working there?
Prior to Tiffany a lot of my friends say as a boy I watched too much TV, so while watching too much TV I watched many police shows and I said “I HAVE to be a police officer”, so I went ahead and was a police officer for a little while, had to get it out of my system…It wasn’t like on TV! So I felt I could make a bigger impact and help more people in a position like I am now, so therefore I decided to move on to something where I can have a better impact for people.
Lian Fanjul de Azqueta, Henry and Lyanne Azqueta
@cdcliving: What has really impacted you on your visits to the Dominican Republic?
I think Casa de Campo is that hidden gem in paradise, and that it’s a fantasy to a certain degree because when you step out for a second you realize that there IS a need, the need to give to the kids. A need to give to the next generation an opportunity to be successful, an opportunity to make a great life for themselves.
@cdcliving: What stands out to you about the Fundación MIR schools?
The energy and the passion that the kids have. You think about some of the struggles that they may have in their economic situations and the challenges in their lives and you may expect them to be more sad, more quiet, more reserved, but you go and they’re just like any other group of kids.
@cdcliving: What does Henry Gonzalez do in his free time?
Well, I have two kids of my own and that is a handful in itself, but I love photography and I love helping, so even in my free time when I’m not working for Tiffany I donate some of my effort, time or even my own money in helping other causes.
@cdcliving: What would you say to encourage people to support this cause?
I think there’s no imagining a better way of having an impact and having a good time at the same time; when the food stops and they put the merengue on and you’re with your friends laughing and enjoying and to know every dollar has such a great impact to the kids. It’s really just come out, have fun and help.
It was a pleasure for us to talk to the Tiffany’s Group Director and cannot wait for the MIR Family Weekend to start. We are sure it will be, as always, a magical weekend!
The Fundación MIR Family Weekend 2013
Tennis Tournament
Cost: US$225 (includes entrance to the dinner-dance) and just US$50 for kids! Where: La Terraza Tennis Club, Casa de Campo La Romana When: Saturday August 10th, 9am
Golf Tournament
Cost: US$250 (includes entrance to the dinner-dance)
Where: La Romana Country Club, Casa de Campo La Romana When: Saturday August 10th, 1pm
Dancing for Life Dinner and Gala
Cost: US$150 (includes dinner-dance and the after-party!) Where: Minitas Beach at Casa de Campo La Romana When: Saturday August 10th, 8pm
Mistress of Ceremonies: Pamela Sued
After Party with DJ GRINGO!
Cost: Included in cost of dinner-dance Where: Minitas Beach at Casa de Campo La Romana When: Saturday August 10th, 11pm
Get your tickets now!
For more information, please contact the Fundación MIR at (809) 523-8270 or (561)366-5095
Wasn’t it wonderful? Blessed with the most beautiful sunny weather and the clearest starry night, the Fundación MIR Family Weekend for Life, which raises funds to support the everyday running of the Fundación MIR’s 3 schools in La Romana – was simply splendid. And with a BIG increase in participation over last year – it was without a doubt, a resounding success!
The Fundación MIR is a non-profit organization which works to provide education to the children of the greater La Romana area, who are most in need. They run 3 schools; the MIR Esperanza (boys vocational school), the Escuela Tecnica Vocacional Fundación MIR (girls vocational school) and the Primaria MIR (infants school).
For more information on the Fundación MIR and to make a donation, visit their website: www.FundacionMIR.org
To make a donation contact the MIR office in Casa de Campo (809-523-8270) or in West Palm Beach (561-366-5095). Donations are tax deductible for US Citizens!
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