Georgia:



You have a big heart!? How do we contribute?



Ann Marie Wood

Mountlake Terrace




----- Original Message -----

A Seattle area birder is willing to match dollar for dollar up to $400 total what any others contribute?towards Leonel Herrera Alsina's trip from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, to Seattle to Vancouver BC to attend the North American Ornithological Conference at UBc.? In other words, $200 from the anonymous donor and $200+ from other donors.?
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If you missed my previous post, Leonel?is a graduate ornithology student at UNAM here in Morelia, and he received a travel scholarship to attend the conference.? Unfortunately, the scholarship doesn't cover all of his transportation costs nor does it?cover any other expenses.? To?ensure that he can participate in this year's NAO Conference,?I offered to help him, knowing how generous and supportive PNW birders are.?
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As a result of my previous post, I've been able to secure housing for him in Vancouver and bus fare to get Leonel to UBC campus each day - Thank you George Clulow!? And I have?a pending?offer of a ride from Seattle to UBC from a UW grad student.?
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I've also received some offers of $$ to help him.?
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So with the offer of matching funds plus private offers of cash donations, here are?Leonel's?other expenses:
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$95 USD for renewal of Mexican passport
$180 USD application fee for US visa
$45 USD bus fare Morelia-Mexico City- Morelia for US Consular Office
$138 USD application fee for Canadian visa
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Total = $458? USD
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Note:? I anticipate that he'll need to make a trip to Guadalajara or Mexico City for an interview associated with his application for said visa, and that will be another $45 USD.? This is what happened when I?made possible for?Victor Hugo Valencia to participate in?Long Point Bird Observatory's Latin American Birders Program.?
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Note #2:? The above?is a bare bones budget.? He won't have pocket change or be able to buy a t-shirt or other memento from the conference.? And, he'll still need a ride from Vancouver back to Seattle to catch his flight.
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So, if you'd like to assist a deserving birder and grad student attend this conference, please let me know off listserv.? Any funds donated would be?deposited in my personal US-based bank account and I'll pay for the above referenced expenses in pesos.??I, too, will be donating?$$ to ensure that he attends.?
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I'll provide an accounting of all donations to anyone who wishes a statement.?
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Oh, I almost forgot:? any donor is welcome to visit me (i.e., stay in my casita)?here in the Central Highlands of Mexico where I will show you endemics and/or take you to see wintering Monarch butterflies.?
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Georgia Conti
now living on Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico and formerly of Seattle
antep12ATgmailDOTcom
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