We just recieved holiday cards from some of the residents of Mercy Home and are anxious to share them with our donors and supporters. Click on any of the thumbnails below to enlarge the image.

On behalf of the elders of Mercy Home, thank you for making it possible for these very special people to live out their days in peace surrounded by others who care about them. Without your support, they would have no place to go.

Permalink

We have some wonderful news to report from Grace Home.

When the school term ended this year on December 8, the Methodist Girls College principal, Mrs. Jothinathan, informed Grace Care Center manager Diane McLaughlin that over 25 of the Grace Home girls ended the year ranked within the top 10 of their classes with 11 of those children ranked within the top 5!

The eleven children who ranked within the top five were:

* Dinesha, who ranked first overall among Advanced Level 2nd year students! She will be taking her entrance exam for university in August of 2007.

* Ushna, who ranked second overall among Advanced Level 2nd year students.

* Karthika, who ranked second in Level 8B.

* Metleena, who ranked third in Level 8B.

* Chandrika, who ranked third in Level 8A.

* Uthayashini, who ranked fourth in Level 8A.

* Sharmila, who ranked fifth in 7th grade.

* Jessikala, who ranked fourth in 6th grade.

* Prashanthini, who ranked fifth in 6th grade.

* Krishnarubi, who ranked third in 5th grade.

* Amirthika, who ranked fourth in 5th grade.

What an amazing success story for children who have spent their entire lives in war!

Our heartiest congratulations to the children for their accomplishments!

Congratulations are also in order for Mrs. Jothinathan and the teachers of the Methodist Girls' College in Trincomalee; Diane McLaughlin, Grace Care Center Manager; the entire Grace Care Center staff; and Father Lloyd Lorio, Dr. Bonnie Nuzum and Ms. Erin Whaley -- the volunteer members of the Grace Education Committee. Thank you for your excellence and commitment to the well-being of the children!

Permalink

Rock and roll legend Mitch Ryder has agreed to headline a benefit concert for the Grace Care Center on January 12, 2007, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ryder, whose hit songs include "Devil With a Blue Dress On" and "Sock It To Me Baby," has come to know about the Grace Care Center through our very own Jim Mitchell who recently completed a biography of Ryder expected to be published in 2007.

The concert will be held at the Morris J. Lawrence Building (Towsley Auditorium) on the campus of Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor.

Blues Infusion, a local band from Ann Arbor, will open the show for Mitch Ryder and a special video greeting from the Grace Care Center will be played between acts.

Premium ticket holders will be invited to attend a special pre-concert reception with Mitch Ryder at the offices of Huron Gastroenterology Associates.

All proceeds from the show will be used to help maintain and support the Grace Care Center in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

VeAhavta has set up a special concert page for the event from which donors can order tickets and even special commemorative t-shirts on-line. Check it out here and spread the word!

Our very special thanks to Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Blues Infusion, Huron Gastroenterology Associates, Ernie Roide and Promotion Plus of San Luis Obispo, and volunteers Jim Mitchell, Deb Taylor, Naresh Gunaratnam, Cheryl Huckins, Erin Whaley, Gina Amalfitano and Colin Loomis for all of their help with this event!

(Photo courtesy Mitch Ryder)

Permalink