On Sunday March the 25th, the first Caribbean Walkabout took place in Casa de Campo – with more than 40 Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors “walking for those who cannot walk” by raising money for the Walkabout Foundation, a charity founded by Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster and her brother Luis, whose family are Casa de Campo villa owners.
Departing at approximately 9:30am, the Walkabout walkers took the same route as the 1st annual Holiday Golf Cart (click here for photos) parade organized by Casa de Campo Living (that’s us) in December 2011 – going from Minitas beach up to Altos de Chavon, past the La Romana Country Club and turning up towards Altos de Chavón at “El Batey.” Despite a rather surprising downpour of rain (or “blessing” rather), walking at a brisk and energetic pace the walkers arrived to the Altos de Chavón amphitheater in under an hour – where a short prize-giving ceremony took place.
AH! A little refreshing rain….
The WINNERS!
The “winners” of the 1st Caribbean Walkabout Marathon in Casa de Campo were:
Ladies category
1st place: Isabella Viola
2nd place: Tati Viola
3rd place: Sofi Viola
Men’s category
1st place: Antoine Lamarche
2nd place: Matias Gonzalez-Bunster
3rd place: Luigi Cazegari
The Walkabout Foundation founded by Carolina and Luis Gonzalez-Bunster, whose family are Casa de Campo villa owners, organise Walkabouts all over the world – raising money by “walking for those who cannot walk” to fund research into spinal injuries and paralysis, as well as to donate wheelchairs to those who need them in countries across the world from Haiti to Rwanda.
To find out a little bit more about the Walkabout Foundation and the first Caribbean Walkabout in Casa de Campo, we did a mini interview with founder, Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster:
How was the first Caribbean Walkabout in Casa de Campo?
The first Caribbean / Casa de Campo Walkabout was a tremendous success, over 40 people came, we raised $3,000, we built awareness by spreading the word around the resort, and everyone had a blast!
What can people in Casa de Campo do to help support the Walkabout Foundation?
People in Casa de Campo can help support Walkabout Foundation in 5 different ways, by:
1. Giving the Gift: Donating a wheelchair or Adopting a Scientist online – CLICK HERE!
2. Walking the Walk: join us on one of our destination walkabouts around the world and create your own individual fundraising page on our website and mobilize your friends and family to sponsor you.
3. Funding for fun: simply do something you love to do and channel the proceeds to Walkabout Foundation – you can sky dive, run a marathon, or host a bake sale and fundraise for our cause.
4. Talking the talk: Be our voice, share our story, communicate our message, and spread the word about the work we do
5. Being a Part: Follow us on Twitter “Walkabout2011” and “Like” us on Facebook – CLICK HERE!Whats next for the Walkabout Foundation?
Walkabout has a lot going on right now, including wheelchair distribution trips to Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana and a pledge to donate 10,000 wheelchairs to Haiti over the next 3 years, with some of these chairs being manufactured in Haiti. Additionally, we are hosting walks in London in October 2012 and Montevido, Uruguay in November 2012. And a big charity event called “The Art of Love” in London on June 28th.
Walkabout Foundation donating wheelchairs in Chile
The following additional photos were contributed by Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster:
[nggallery id=1229]
The 1st annual Teeth of the Dog Walkabout??
Following the success of the 1st Caribbean / Casa de Campo Walkabout, there has been talk of a second Casa de Campo Walkabout – to take place this summer around Casa de Campo’s most famous golf course – the Teeth of the Dog. Although just an idea at the moment, the event would probably take place in June – when the Teeth of the Dog closes for summer maintenance (this year from June 11th to July 30th) and would lead Casa de Campo walkers around the Teeth of the Dog’s 18 beautiful holes.
As soon as we know more about this possible event – we will let you know!
Spanish
On Sunday March the 25th, the first Caribbean Walkabout took place in Casa de Campo – with more than 40 Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors “walking for those who cannot walk” by raising money for the Walkabout Foundation, a charity founded by Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster and her brother Luis, whose family are Casa de Campo villa owners.
Departing at approximately 9:30am, the Walkabout walkers took the same route as the 1st annual Holiday Golf Cart (click here for photos) parade organized by Casa de Campo Living (that’s us) in December 2011 – going from Minitas beach up to Altos de Chavon, past the La Romana Country Club and turning up towards Altos de Chavón at “El Batey.” Despite a rather surprising downpour of rain (or “blessing” rather), walking at a brisk and energetic pace the walkers arrived to the Altos de Chavón amphitheater in under an hour – where a short prize-giving ceremony took place.
The WINNERS! The “winners” of the 1st Caribbean Walkabout Marathon in Casa de Campo were: Ladies category 1st place: Isabella Viola 2nd place: Tati Viola 3rd place: Sofi Viola Men’s category 1st place: Antoine Lamarche 2nd place: Matias Gonzalez-Bunster 3rd place: Luigi Cazegari
How was the first Caribbean Walkabout in Casa de Campo? The first Caribbean / Casa de Campo Walkabout was a tremendous success, over 40 people came, we raised $3,000, we built awareness by spreading the word around the resort, and everyone had a blast! What can people in Casa de Campo do to help support the Walkabout Foundation? People in Casa de Campo can help support Walkabout Foundation in 5 different ways, by: 1. Giving the Gift: Donating a wheelchair or Adopting a Scientist online – CLICK HERE! 2. Walking the Walk: join us on one of our destination walkabouts around the world and create your own individual fundraising page on our website and mobilize your friends and family to sponsor you. 3. Funding for fun: simply do something you love to do and channel the proceeds to Walkabout Foundation – you can sky dive, run a marathon, or host a bake sale and fundraise for our cause. 4. Talking the talk: Be our voice, share our story, communicate our message, and spread the word about the work we do 5. Being a Part: Follow us on Twitter “Walkabout2011” and “Like” us on Facebook – CLICK HERE! Whats next for the Walkabout Foundation? Walkabout has a lot going on right now, including wheelchair distribution trips to Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana and a pledge to donate 10,000 wheelchairs to Haiti over the next 3 years, with some of these chairs being manufactured in Haiti. Additionally, we are hosting walks in London in October 2012 and Montevido, Uruguay in November 2012. And a big charity event called “The Art of Love” in London on June 28th.
Following the success of the 1st Caribbean / Casa de Campo Walkabout, there has been talk of a second Casa de Campo Walkabout – to take place this summer around Casa de Campo’s most famous golf course – the Teeth of the Dog. Although just an idea at the moment, the event would probably take place in June – when the Teeth of the Dog closes for summer maintenance (this year from June 11th to July 30th) and would lead Casa de Campo walkers around the Teeth of the Dog’s 18 beautiful holes. As soon as we know more about this possible event – we will let you know!