Meet Veronica Pool, an amazing single mom who works cleaning homes. She is determined to earn her prepa (high school) degree. Veronica is an excellent role model for her three children (one in primaria/elementary; two in secundaria/middle school).  She attends Saturday classes at Bachilleres, a Cozumel prepa known to be one of the best academic high schools to prepare students for college.  Veronica receives a “beca” scholarship from Friends of Cozumel to help pay tuition.  Many of our students who receive becas are truly breaking barriers by being the first generation in their families to attend high school and university.

Sixty-nine students received becas this fall semester; 51 high students and 18 college students.  Most of these students receive becas from the general FOC Scholarship fund; a few selected students also receive private scholarships from donors. 

Prepa student becas are $1,300 pesos (about $77 USD @ FX 16.8) per semester.  High school students are required to pay “inscripcion” (tuition) fees each semester. Their high school will automatically enroll them to receive a government scholarship that their family will receive in November or December so the students can use this to pay for tuition and other school expenses until they graduate.

University becas are $1,800 pesos (about $107 US) per semester for full-time tuition or some students use becas to pay for internet service at their home since much of their work is online.  Friends of Cozumel supports a total of 63 university students with school supplies; 65% are young women.  Examples of careers university students are using the becas to achieve:  accounting, bio-medical engineering, food/beverage, business administration, nursing, nutrition, teaching, tourism, etc.

Becas are also available to students of all ages to take English classes that supplement what they learn in school.  The ability to understand and speak conversational English is a huge advantage here to get a job supporting the tourism industry. 

Special THANKS to our donors who fund the scholarship program.  It is a wonderful investment that enables individuals and their families to become self-sufficient.     

1. 826 students (kinder – university) received school supplies

• 20% are special needs students with various disabilities
• 627 received backpacks with supplies for their school grade/year  
• 199 received packets of basic supplies
• All students are from families “in need” known by one or more of our local community leaders.  These families have been screened and pre-identified for their financial situation, “special needs”, health complications in the family, etc. It is not a program open to the public.  Families with students who receive backpacks and school supplies must complete an inscription process showing their grades in school or proof of school attendance.
• 2 changes in student profiles over the years:  1) # of females vs. males attending prepa (high school) is now 65% female/35% male; and 2) Increase in # university students is 60+ this year.

The significant growth in 2022/23 was due to our collaboration with Chrysalis of Cozumel

2. Community Outreach . . . Other non-profit organizations’ families benefitted 

• CAM primaria (elementary) and secundaria (middle school) students (150 total).  CAM Schools are dedicated to education to students with various special needs
• Centro de Autismo and CRIM (rehabilitation therapy) selected students
• Circle of Friends 12 families
• Mujeres Guerreras (Women Warriors – mothers of severely impacted children with disabilities – their siblings)
• Ranchito Project

3. 57 adults received free reading eyeglasses

4. 40 volunteers participated (38% local citizens)

The challenge . . . Help us gather the top 10 GREATEST SCHOOL SUPPLY NEEDS

Now that most schools have begun, managers in stores are marking down prices to clear out their inventory to make room for holiday merchandise. If you are an online shopper, especially Amazon user. . . . see the links below.

These needs are the items we have the lowest inventory of going into next year.

1. Glue Sticks – Amazon.com : Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Grams, 30 Count : Office Products
2. Black Pens – Amazon.com : BIC Round Stic Grip Xtra Comfort Black Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point (1.2mm), 36-Count Pack, Perfect Writing Pens With Soft Grip for Superb Comfort and Control : Office Products
3. Blue Pens – Amazon.com : BIC Round Stic Grip Xtra Comfort Blue Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point (1.2mm), 36-Count Pack, Excellent Writing Pens With Soft Grip for Superb Comfort and Control : Office Products
4. Red Pens – Amazon.com : BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point (1.0mm), Red, 12-Count Pack, Stick Pens for Office Supplies (GSM11-RED) : Rollerball Pens : Office Products
5. Correction Tape – Amazon.com : 36 Pack Correction Tape Eraser, original Correction Tape White Wide Tape Wipe out Easy to Use Applicator Translucent Dispenser Shows for School Office Note Journal Scrapbooking, 0.2 Inch x 39.4 Feet : Office Products
6. Yellow Highlighters – Amazon.com : Madisi Highlighters Bulk Pack, Chisel Tip, Fluorescent Yellow, 84 Count : Office Products
7. Scientific Calculators – Amazon.com: 2 Line Engineering Scientific Calculator Function Calculator Calculator Large Display Math Calculator for Student Teacher Classroom High School College School Business Offices Black (10 Pieces)
8. Spanish/English Dictionaries – Webster’s Spanish-English Student Dictionary Edition 2: Merriam-Webster: 9781596951655 – Christianbook.com
9. 16Gb USB Drives – Amazon.com: 10-Pack Enfain 16GB USB 2.0 Flash Memory Stick Swivel Thumb Drives for Universal Data Storage at Home & The Office (Black) : Electronics
10. Backpacks – Small size for kinder-3rd grade and large size for middle school (secundaria), high school (prepa) and university.

We can ALWAYS use other basic items like blunt scissors, dry erase markers, coloring books (for kinder) and good quality pencil sharpeners that have space for shavings.

Important tip: Please keep the receipts for items purchased to show when you pass through customs.

THANK YOU for being part of our volunteer/donor “village” that makes this project possible!

The Challenge . . . 400+ backpacks are needed in 11 months

Every year we wonder if we’ll have enough backpacks to give to 625+ students?  Our amazing SUPER SHOPPERS and SHERPA volunteers who visit Cozumel throughout the year have always filled the need.

This is the time of year when you can score the greatest discounts on backpacks for next school year.  After Labor Day in the US, store managers want to clear out their inventory to make room for holiday seasonal items.  Our volunteers have had success in asking for a manager for a discount on purchasing backpacks in quantity, at their local Walmart, Walgreens and office supply stores.  They may have 5 to over 200 backpacks available at $3.00 each or even less.  Be sure to keep your receipt to bring through customs. 

We group backpacks in three sizes according to grades:  Kinder – Primaria (elementary) grades 1-3; Primaria 4-6; and Secundaria (middle school) through University.  Thankfully we already have enough for Primaria 4-6 for next year. 

Our GREATEST NEED is 300 backpacks for secundaria – university (60 % female/40% male).  The next need is 100+ backpacks for kinder – primaria 1-3 (50+ girls; 50+ boys).  Colors/themes or prints that are unisex are very helpful.  The culture here has been very traditional in terms of male/female colors although we see that changing over time.  We also have online sources to order backpacks in cases of 24 that can be shipped to someone’s home who is coming to the island. 

If you know you will be visiting the island but shopping online or in person is not your thing . . . but you are willing to bring some backpacks when you visit the island, let us know your travel dates so we can funnel backpacks or supplies for you to bring.

Please check back often for the following series of postings:

• Calling Super Shoppers – Part 2 School Supplies Needed
• Results of 2023-24 School Supply Project
• Scholarships and University Students
• Volunteer Opportunities October-November 2023
• Save the Dates – Pre-Holiday Project and 2024-2025 School Distribution

We are in the process of renewing registrations of families for the 2023-24 school year.  We have nearly all the basic supplies to help 800 students on our list from last year.  Financial donations are used to purchase paper products locally.  Donations received from now until the distribution in August may allow us to add some families on our long waiting list. 

Thanks to our collaboration with the Chrysalis organization, there are several drop off sites located downtown, mid-town and south of town.  Drop Off Locations – Cozumel Chrysalis Group  Or feel free to contact us to meet you personally to receive your donations.

Special thanks to Jacqui Sargeant for her donation of backpacks.

Last week, we received another fantastic donation of 17 backpacks and school supplies from COZUMEL BAR HOP.   They are a wonderful supporter of education for children on the island as they collect donations on our behalf from their clients.

We are busy preparing for this year’s distribution of school supplies which will benefit nearly 800 total students.

GREATEST NEEDS:   While we gladly accept all supplies, the biggest needs for this August include:

• Backpacks for high school students (19” high x 5-6” deep)
• Yellow highlighters
• Black dry erase markers
• Geometry sets (full sets with protractor, compass, ruler, triangles)

Stay tuned for a blog detailing our drop-off sites.   If you are visiting by boat or plane, for a week or only a day, contact us and we will make arrangements to get any donations into our hands and ultimately the hands of the children for the coming school year.

We are blessed to receive a variety of donations to support Cozumel families in need.

Thanks to donors who recently brought backpacks to be distributed this summer to students in kindergarten through university.  Guests of Paradise Beach recently donated both backpacks and various school supplies.  Kim Trethewey brought a case of 24 backpacks we ordered and shipped to their home to bring on their Cozumel vacation.    

Rosy Vargas, co-owner of Pepe Scuba, provided a very generous donation of 100 meters of fleece fabric.  Friends of Cozumel volunteers will cut the fleece in lengths to the size of throw blankets to distribute next winter.  Many families we support live in very modest 1 or 2 room homes that do not have protection from strong winds or are not completely enclosed.

Armand Gautron and Leanne Pauch donated a good condition bike and helmet that we matched to a single mom with 5 children.  She is a hard worker and now has a full-time job cleaning at one of the hospitals to support her children.  She is one of the mothers who receives a “hand-up” through Diana’s SMILE (Single Mothers Independent Living Endowment) with the goal of helping her family to become self-sufficient.  The bike will provide transportation to/from her job and for the family to use for errands.  

Coming soon . . . our next posting about personal hygiene products provided to a special group of mothers.

It is high “tourist” season here and visitors are giving generously to the community.  Cozumel expects 35 cruise ships this week.  Full flights with families on spring break arrive daily.

A growing trend is adults of all ages coming to the island for longer stays of 2 or 3 weeks to 4+ months during the winter to enjoy tropical weather and volunteer their time.  Friends of Cozumel hosts Volunteer Thursdays, a 2-3 hour commitment a couple of times monthly.

A special shout out of THANKS for these recent wonderful donations . . .

• 6 backpacks of various donations from Volunteer Christian Builders delivered by cruisers Richard/Brenda Crosby and Friesen family
• 35+ backpacks filled with school supplies donated by Cozumel Barhop visitors
• ~300 backpacks donated by Bob/Linda Choura; delivered by Debi/Randy Bartkoski; Richard/Christine Underwood; Jerry/Ann Peters and Don/Ava Quinn
• 39 backpacks, color pencils, scientific calculators, brought by Larry/Karen Pedersen
• 50 scientific calculators by Tracey Kirsling-Hendricks & John Hendrickson
• 3 bags of reader eyeglasses from David Ritchie
• $ ongoing donation from Jamie/Doug Brown

Remember this theme song from the old TV series “Golden Girls”?  Celebrating love and friendship is the focus for Valentines Day in Mexico.  In a troubled world with natural disasters and so much negative daily news, it is important for us all to reflect on the blessings and inspirational stories that have and will continue to occur.

Our heartfelt thanks on behalf of Cozumel families. 

Your love and generosity enabled Friends of Cozumel to achieve these results in 2022:

1. Provided school supplies to ~800 students; 20% students have special needs.
2. Increased scholarships to benefit 56 high school and 14 university students.
3. Continued covid family support through spring 2022
   • Meals:  Collected and administered funds for meal program served 3 times/weekly by Vida Abundante; 60,000 meals served during the pandemic
   • Food:  Distributed nearly 1,300 “despensas” dry food boxes during the pandemic to 120 families
   • Medicine/Medical treatment:  Paid prescriptions, diagnostic exams and transportation costs for families seeking treatment on the mainland
   • Community Clothes Closet opened 1-2 times/weekly serving 20 families/week; then transferred to Vida Abundante
4. Installed new technology for safe drinking water systems for 50 families; 154 systems in use
5. Expanded support to the most vulnerable people including seniors and disabled adults confined to their homes; babies received formula and ecological diaper kits; and complex family situations served through Diana’s SMILE (Single Mother’s Independent Living Endowment)
6. Changed volunteer involvement from 3 week-long “mission” experiences a year to short- term volunteer work sessions throughout the year; 50% are now local volunteers; hosted multiple visiting groups with long-term relationships supporting Cozumel families.

Karen and Larry, Cozumel

This month, we have been blessed to receive two large donations of school supplies as we build our inventory levels in anticipation of the annual distribution in July or August. Last year we increased the number of students to approximately 800 that would receive school supplies in collaboration with the Cozumel Chrysalis Group. We knew it would be a challenge to procure the quantities that would be necessary to do the same number of students again in the 2023-24 school year. However, donors have once again proven that we should never underestimate the generosity of people who visit this island that we all love.

Cozumel Bar Hop has been a strong supporter of the Cozumel Chrysalis Group for a number of years as they collect school supply donations from people who go on their tours. January was no exception as we received the supplies that are in the photo above. A huge THANK YOU is due to COZUMEL BAR HOP for their continued support.

Last December, we received a message from Mike Larsen that a group of approximately eleven people would be visiting Cozumel in January and their tradition is to bring school supplies to wherever they vacation. We met with them and were overwhelmed by the generosity of this group. They travel to various destinations in the Caribbean and support education in this way. We are blessed to make new friends that often become repeat donors.

If you are visiting Cozumel in the coming months and would like to help us out, here is a list of our greatest needs.   If you don’t have room to bring supplies we gladly accept dollar donations that enable us to purchase paper products locally.

• Blue Ink Pens
• Correction Tape
• Yellow Highlighters
• Dry Erase Markers (Black preferred)
• Scientific Calculators
• 3-Ring Binders 1 ½ – 2”
• Coloring books

Last August we had our largest distribution (~800 students) ever.  Distributing supplies to this many students over two days requires a lot of coordination and a LOT of volunteers.    Bob and Linda, a couple who helped us for the very first time with school distribution are committed to see this succeed in the future and told us they would be actively looking for school supplies for 2023.  

In November we received a call that they had purchased 300 backpacks at a very special price as a local Walmart store that wanted to clear out inventory after back-to-school sales.   Now, the only challenge was to find a way to get them to Cozumel.  We then reached out to another volunteer/donor couple who lived in a nearby state and would be visiting this winter.   Debi not only agreed to find people to bring these backpacks to Cozumel, but also found someone who was going to be traveling through the other state and could pick up the backpacks.  She also found people to donate luggage.   Debi and Randy brought the first group of 90 backpacks (and 50 dictionaries) the first week of January.   It just shows how you can never underestimate the creativity and power of a network of donors.

If you are visiting Cozumel in the coming months and would like to help us out, here is a list of our greatest needs.   If you don’t have room to bring supplies we gladly accept dollar donations that enable us to purchase paper products locally.

• Blue Ink Pens
• Correction Tape
• Yellow Highlighters
• Dry Erase Markers (Black preferred)
• Scientific Calculators
• 3-Ring Binders 1 ½ – 2”
• Coloring books

Day of the Dead and All Saints Day (Nov. 1-2) is a special time on the island when loved ones who have passed are honored by their families and friends. 

CAM school students, parents and staff had a wonderful celebration recently.  Friends of Cozumel (FOC) was invited as a special guest at this celebration in recognition of the ongoing support our volunteers and donors provide to the primaria (elementary) and secundaria (middle school).

CAM serves youth with various disabilities and include an early identification program for infants through preschool.  FOC provides school supplies to 140 CAM students and teaching material for the staff. 

Hurricanes are in the news across Canada, the US and the Caribbean.  Friends of Cozumel with the aid of our local volunteer leaders proactively prepared to help 140 Cozumel families with emergency mini-despensas in the event of a category #2+ hurricane.  Despensas are dry food products.  The food was purchased when “Ian” was forming in the Caribbean.  Since then, Hurricane Ian’s path has changed to have the greatest impact on Florida. 

Although we will not distribute the mini-despensas now, they are stored and ready to distribute from two locations whenever needed just before a hurricane. Families on our list will be advised via whatsapp to come to:  1) Vida Abundante Church or 2) Amigos de Cozumel bodega (our storage location) on a certain day/time and bring their bag. The mini-despensas include enough food for 1-2 days:  4 liters drinking water, tuna, mayo, crackers, spaghetti, tomato puree, precooked pouches of refried beans, canned mixed vegetables, powdered chocolate milk, a candle, matches, and cloro (bleach) to clean after hurricanes.  Volunteers will deliver the mini-despensas to home-bound families.

The most economical brands of products were purchased from various stores. Each despensa cost 188 pesos ($9 USD) per family . . . a great “investment” to ensure families in need have food/drinking water during a hurricane.  This is one example of how monetary donations we receive for “Greatest Needs” are used. The despensas will be stored until the island is forecasted to have a category #2+ hurricane or the end of the season.  If not used by November; these despensas will distributed to help families during “low tourism season” when many jobs are affected.

Although local families with low resources may lack the funds to cover windows with wood panels or hurricane shutters; the process for preparing homes for those with resources provides temporary work/income for local families.  We salute the families Friends of Cozumel supports who are very creative in using whatever they have to prepare their homes for hurricanes.   

Today we were honored to provide school supplies to CAM Primaria and CAM Secundaria schools in Cozumel for the upcoming school year that begins on August 29.  Friends of Cozumel provided individual supplies for each student, a quantity of pens, markers and other supplies for the teaching staff plus four cases of white paper for the administration.  The CAM schools in Mexico are established to serve children with special needs of all types.   We are proud of our partnership with the CAM schools.

This weekend, we will be distributing individual backpacks, school supplies and paper products to over 630 children from families with limited resources.

Messsage from Amethyst Amatista, Cozumel Chrysalis Group Director…..

After over 25 years of service to the community, Chrysalis is now merging with another fine organization here on the island, Friends of Cozumel. Friends of Cozumel began about 15 years ago, also helping students from low-income families. Their focus has been on school supplies, and their numbers are impressive. In recent years they have been supporting over 500 students. I have known the founders of Friends of Cozumel, Karen and Larry Pedersen, for close to 20 years. They are very much hands on and have a great team of volunteers to help. There is no one on the island I would trust more or would even consider working with. The Chrysalis office has been emptied into the Friends of Cozumel bodega and is now closed. The owners of the property that has been the Chrysalis office, simultaneously chose to re-purpose this house, so this all came together at a good time. What does this mean for Chrysalis? I will continue to work to raise funds, coordinate donations dropped off at our locations on the island, and volunteer alongside Karen and Larry as my time permits. It does mean that we will also focus just on school supplies, as we have done for the past two years. We will no longer supply shoes or uniforms as we did prior to the pandemic. I look forward to continuing our joint mission of serving the Cozumel community.

Amethyst – Cozumel Chrysalis Group/Friends of Cozumel

It’s that time of year again! We are busy assembling packets that will be distributed in August to 700+ students in Cozumel. Each student will receive a new backpack, white & colored paper, notebook(s) along with a packet that includes items required for their grade level. Having willing volunteers help us prepare all of these individual packets makes the job go quickly. If you are coming to the island to visit in the future, we will continue to look for donations of school supplies. You can refer to our list of needed supplies http://friendsofcozumel.com/education/school-supplies/ or contact us directly (friendsofcozumel@outlook.com) for more information and to arrange a dropoff.

Mexico uses a “Traffic light” model as an indicator of Covid risk and to manage occupancy levels during the pandemic.   Highest to lowest risk rankings are red, orange, yellow and green.  States within Mexico may have different rankings.  Quintana Roo is the state where Cozumel is located and includes cities on the mainland (Cancun, Tulum, Chetumal and Playa del Carmen, etc.). 

The island had achieved green status a number of weeks ago.  However, as the Omicron variant spread and more tourists arrived for high season, the number of covid cases and hospitalizations spiked resulting in a return to orange status.  We suspended operating the Community Closet until this past week when Cozumel returned to “YELLOW” (75% capacity for restaurants and many services). NOTE: As of February 21 the status for all of Quintana Roo will be “GREEN” (100% occupancy)!

The job market is gradually opening back up providing some families with work to provide the basics they need.  The Community Closet is stocked with gently used clothing, shoes and household items in addition to cleaning and hygiene products like shampoo, soap, antibacterial gel, feminine products at  greatly discounted rates. 

On Thursday, February 10, twenty families (limit of 2 persons per family) were invited to visit the closet during scheduled 30 minutes sessions.   Families are given a coupon for 100 pesos of credit depending on the number of persons in their family so they can use the credit to purchase the items they need.  They also have the option to purchase additional items beyond their credit if they have money to do so.

We extend a HUGE THANKS to the many people who have donated clothing and household items for this project and to the volunteers who help monitor the families as they arrive.  All the families have been vetted by community leaders who help us identify families with the greatest need.

Covid cases are spiking here similar to many other locations.  We remain in “orange” status with enforced limitations to reduce covid exposure to local families and visitors.   Examples of precautions now in place:  Everyone (including tourists) over the age of 2 are expected to wear masks indoors and outdoors except when exercising and eating/drinking.  Only one adult family member may enter supermarkets.  Organizations/businesses are limited to 30-50% of capacity depending on the type of business or organization. 

Vaccines are being administered in a number of public places by age group but the long lines have discouraged many from getting vaccines.  People age 60+ have had the opportunity to receive both vaccine doses.  Younger age groups are anxiously waiting for the second dose.

Good news . . . we see modest signs of economic recovery including:  increased number of visitors coming on flights for vacations, packed ferries bringing tourists for day trips from the mainland, limited number of cruise ships returning, etc.  More restaurants are reopening a reduced number of hours or for takeout.  Some shops close to the cruise ship ports are now open as well as some hotels.   A few tour operators and selected other jobs are being hired but less skilled workers (the majority of the families we support) are still without work.  The double edge sword is more visitors coming to the island = increased exposure especially from those who may not comply with local expectations to wear masks, etc. 

Friends of Cozumel continues to provide:

• Despensas (dry goods pantries) to 110 families monthly; 1,500 despensas since 4/2020
• Expenses for Vida Abundante Church’s community kitchen for meals Mon., Wed. and Fri. for 200 families/650 family members; 40,000 meals served since 4/2020
• Financial help for prescription medications with documentation from their doctor
• Baby formula and ecological diaper kits for families with babies under age 2, and
• Drinking water purification systems; delivered to 100 families since 4/2020

The weekly Community Closet has been temporarily suspended until we believe it is safe to open and maintain safe distance.  When we reopen, a reduced number of families (5 at a time) will be invited to come and receive credit to select clothing, hygiene and home goods. 

Friends of Cozumel is extremely blessed for the continued support of donors and volunteers. You are the ones that make all this possible.  Thank you . . . Larry & Karen Pedersen

Kristin was an avid Friends of Cozumel volunteer and advocate for serving families in need.  If you would like to help continue Kristin’s life of service, donations may be made to Friends of Cozumel, one of the memorial options designated by her family.  A scholarship fund has been established in her honor to be awarded to students studying in medical, health or marine related careers.  Or donors may designate their gift for “Families in Need” to provide medical treatment.  Electronic donations may be made via PayPal or other options in this link: http://friendsofcozumel.com/your-help/how-to-make-a-donation/

Following is the Obituary from Kristin’s Celebration of Life service held in North Carolina on June 19, 2021.  Other informal gatherings of Cozumel friends will be organized in the coming months.

Kristin Kay (Burns) Bowen

January 24, 1963 – June 08, 2021

Kristin was born in Royal Oak, MI to Leona and Billie Burns.  She grew up in Southfield, MI with her brother William Richard Burns and graduated from Southfield Christian Academy.  Following high school, she attended Olivet Nazarene College, where she met her future husband William A. Bowen.  They were married on August 11, 1984 and lived in New Jersey before making their way to Greensboro, NC in 1988.  A year later they had their first daughter Sara, followed by Mandy and Jake.

Kristin loved God and dedicated her life to His service at an early age.  She introduced her Savior, Jesus Christ, to her children by reading them Bible stories and sharing her life experiences with them.  Along with her faith, she treasured her family.  She guided, counseled, prodded and cheered them on as they moved through school, sports and relationships. The family loves travel, scuba diving and sailing, and Kristin was great at planning and participating in those adventures. 

After raising her family, Kristin fell in love with the people of Cozumel, Mexico.  She was first drawn to Cozumel for the scuba diving, but soon joined up with Friends of Cozumel to serve the local islanders by exposing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by performing service projects including offering school supplies, clothing and shoes for school age children.  Kristin served God with her heart, voice, hands and wallet.  She gave regularly to her local church, Friends of Cozumel, and other missionaries including Rob Kimmons and David Carter, both serving overseas through Pioneers where they minister to people from Europe and Africa.  In addition to serving others, for the last nine years of her life, Kristin owned and operated an industrial sales company with her husband, where she served as president and director of finance. 

Kristin Kay Bowen, January 24, 1963 – June 8, 2021 

She was a blonde force of nature that could make even the most serious-minded volunteer crack a rare smile. Kristin came to Cozumel regularly, toting her frequent flier weight limit in donations. She showed up ready to work at our various project sites, usually carrying her camera and a Barbie doll just for fun, because…well why not?  

Kristin’s work with Friends of Cozumel began in 2010 when she visited Cozumel with 13 other family members on a cruise port-of-call. They combined their vacation with service work by delivering supplies needed for FOC’s school backpack project. Kristin returned to the island just a couple of months later when she and her parents volunteered for a mission week with FOC. And she kept coming back for more than a decade—often several times a year. Serious illness kept Kristin away this year, but she continued her financial support as well as her interest in FOC projects. 

She passed away at home surrounded by family in Greensboro, North Carolina on June 8, 2021. 

Kristin played an integral role as a supporter and mission volunteer helping people in need. 

As a leader in Friends of Cozumel projects, she led by doing. She didn’t hesitate to jump in, often emerging from a long, hot day wearing paint and sawdust from a construction project or with sea salt dried in her hair from helping local children learn to snorkel. She donated and transported shoes to island children, helped distribute literally thousands of backpacks of school supplies, and even shopped the sales for affordable dresses for young women who otherwise would not have a gown for their quinceañera.  She gave very generous donations to the construction of Vida Abundante church and community center. 

“Kristin and her husband Billy have been great supporters as well as frequent donors,” said FOC Co-director Larry Pedersen. “We always ask how funds should be used and about four years ago, Kristin said ‘I see so many families that need medical help and don’t have any resources. I want some of the money to go for that type of aid.’ As a result, the Families In Need Fund was established and has grown.” 

Friends of Cozumel continues to assist local families almost weekly with support for doctor consultations and medication.   

“Five years ago, a local soccer player tore his ACL in a game and the family had no funds for an operation,” Larry said. “When Kristin learned about this, she immediately came forward and paid for the surgery. The family is forever grateful. That’s the kind of person she was—ready to step in and help without hesitation.” 

Kristin could make people laugh. And she cared deeply. Her easy smile and love of the island people will be remembered by so many.  

“Kristin’s spirit, enthusiasm and fun-loving nature has been an inspiration to all of us,” said FOC Co-director Karen Pedersen. “You couldn’t help but smile when you were around her. She left a lasting impression on everyone.”