2012 Charity Announcement!

One of the goals for Kazapalooza each year, besides having fun, is to raise money to improve the lives of children in Kazakhstan. We hold a raffle at the luncheon for this purpose. This year several organizations submitted applications to us. It was a difficult decision for the planners and we all appreciate the hard work these organizations do for children in Kazakhstan.

Children from Ark Village

Ark Village has been chosen as the single recipient of our 2012 charity award.

Ark Village is a privately run children’s home in Almaty currently caring for 70 orphans. They will use the funds to help construct a new home to house 20 more children. Ark Village is located in Talgar Kazakhstan and run by Guido Trezzani.

Papa Guido

Ark Village first opened its doors June 1, 2000. The director fought the system to create a loving, nurturing environment for children of all ages and abilities. They are taught basic life skills such as cooking, cleaning, working together in a family structure, and even shopping at the local bazaar to teach them how to handle basic business transactions. The children also learn ceramics, music, sewing, and computer skills. Children live in “homes” which include a play room, living room, class room, bathroom, and sleeping rooms in each home. There is a separate cafeteria where all the children eat together. Also on the property is a gymnasium, school building, a dental lab, and a doctor’s office.

Ark Village relies solely on donations from friends and well-wishers of Guido Trezzani, the founder of the organization. There is no formal contribution to the orphanage from any religious or State body whatsoever. Papa Guido is devoted to giving the children at Ark Village hope for a future, providing a loving, supportive, and nurturing environment.

The organizers of Kazapalooza are excited to give our families an opportunity to learn more about Ark Village and support such a great place. Look for more information on other great charities working in Kaz at the luncheon.

The facility to be demolished and reconstructed as a home for 20 more children.

Slide Show Submission Time!

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: MAY 25, 2012

As has become our tradition we will be putting together a slide show featuring all of the gorgeous kaz kids attending Kazapalooza 2012. 

Families wanting to participate should send photo submissions to Dart Printy at dartprinty@gmail.com by May 25^th. 

DUE TO THE TIME AND WORK INVOLVED IN MAKING THE SLIDE SHOW SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE 25^TH CAN NOT BE INCLUDED.

Submission Requirements:

Send us a recent photo of your Kaz Kid and please follow the submission instructions closely.  

·         Only One photo per email.  If you have more than one Kaz Kid send a separate email for each one.

·         Child’s LAST name in email subject line (if parents and children have a different last name put the parent’s last name in parenthesis)

·         In the body of the email provide the child’s name as you would like it to appear in the slide show and the CITY where your child was adopted.

·         Please send only ONE photo for each Kaz Kid (family photos/siblings are fine).  Due to the number of children attending we can only include one photo of each child in the slide show.

·         Send HIGH RESOLUTION photos (not scanned photos/min 300DPI preferred). Do NOT send photos from Facebook please as they are generally not high enough quality photos.