The Angel of Love Foundation — Tom and Norman Home
Ten years ago Doña Francisca was living under a bridge near Guápiles, when she was struck by a car. She was admitted to the local hospital with two broken legs and an arm, but when she recovered she could not live under a bridge in a wheel chair. The hospital called Aleix Barquero, the now director of The Angel of Love Foundation, Tom and Norman Home, which he was opening in a half finished house; loaned temporarily by the owner. Barquero brought his first resident to the home and Doña Francisca is still with them today.
As Barquero’s group of homeless, penniless and incapacitated began to grow, an agricultural organization from El Salvador donated an abandoned stable and a small piece of land in La Rita, near Guápiles. This became the first Angel of Love Foundation, Tom and Norman Home, and as the stable grew to four times its original size, so did the number of those in need.
Barquero and his small group of volunteers from the village could never have survived without the goodwill of many concerned supporters from Costa Rica, the United States and other countries. Because of their ongoing donations, and that of local and foreign agencies, the Tom and Norman Home now has two dormitories with a third nearing completion. A dining room, kitchen and multi-use building have been built with donations from the Spanish Government. A small meditation chapel is under construction and will be dedicated in January. This non-denominational chapel is possible thanks to the generous contributions from friends in this country and abroad.
The Little Theatre Group has supported the Tom and Norman Home as one of their charitable enterprises for over seven years, and most recently donated 66 chairs for the new multi-use building.
Grupo Ebano Left to right: Catherine Hayes, Mercedes Rodríguez,
Ana Lorena Alfaro, Gabriela Alfaro (Photo: John Milde)
For the seventh successive year LTG is hosting “The Angel of Love Fundraising Christmas Concert” on Sunday December 14th, at 2 p.m., in Santa Ana at restaurant Casa 76, where lunch will be served from 12 noon. However, there will be no service during the concert. The group “El Ebano” (two violins, viola, and cello) will perform a mixed program of classical and traditional Christmas music. Members of the National Symphony Orchestra Ana Alfaro, Gabriela Alfaro, Catherine Hayes and Mercedes Rodriguez have kindly volunteered once again, to donate their time and talent. Now a tradition, this delightful concert raises much-needed funds for the home and has become a yearly holiday season event. Reservations are not required and admission is free, but cash donations would be very much appreciated. For further information and directions to Casa 76 call the LTG box office: 8355-1623, or visit www.littletheatregroup.org For lunch reservations call Casa 76, 2282-8619.