Sunday, June 1, 2014

June Comments for a Cause - La Luz Hispana

It is the first of the month and time to report my Comments for a Cause results for the previous month and announce the new month's cause!  So first thing, in the month of May I had 44 comments which equals a $22 contribution to Team Red, White & Blue.  I'm happy to support such a great veteran's organization that has personally helped members of my family transition back into civilian life.

Now onto June's cause!  I'm proud to be donating $0.50 for every comment during the month of June to La Luz Hispana.  I have talked about my community's diversity before and I wanted to show my support and pride for my community by highlighting an organization that is helping our Hispanic population in so many ways, La Luz Hispana.  Here is some information on this center provided by Sister Carmen Hernandez:

A brief history of La Luz Hispana
La Luz Hispana is a center for the Hispanic people, sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation of Dubuque, Iowa, is located in downtown Hampton, and serves not only Hampton, but all of Franklin County, and the surrounding area.  It is a result of over four years of study and experience working with and meeting the Hispanics of the area.  The Hispanic people requested the center, wanted to have a place where they could safely meet, learn English and other necessary skills, and capitalize on their own cultural values and gifts.

Sisters Carmen and Maura hit the streets of Hampton to locate the Hispanics, to acquaint themselves with the service agencies of the area, and to find a location for the center. 

At the end of 2012, a retired lawyer and his wife offered to refurbish their building, according to the needs of the new project.  The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on March 27, 2013 and the inauguration the following month on April 12.

La Luz Hispana's mission is to offer a welcoming spirit and supportive services to all, especially the Hispanic community.

Programs offered
Since opening their doors in March 2013, La Luz Hispana has successfully offered a variety of programs and services that have helped foster relationships, celebrate strengths and personal gifts and educate the many Hispanics who have visited the center.  Some of the programs offered include: container gardening, English as a Second Language (ESL), computer education, Spanish for English speakers, Zumba, crocheting, rosary and scarf making, greeting card creation, health and beauty, immigration, healthy cooking, nutrition, math tutoring and Exito en el Norte which focused on finances, banking, renting an apartment and/or house, starting a new business, personal rights and furthering education. While these are only a few of the programs initiated, La Luz Hispana continues to have hopes and dreams to begin other new services and programs.

The Sisters and volunteers provide transportation and interpretation services at the court house, banks, police stations, dentists, and insurance agencies.  They assist many families to navigate the social service systems, and help to fill out forms for assistance programs.

So lets be sure to Comment for a Cause a lot this month to support this great organization that is helping and supporting so many families and individuals in Franklin County!  I am so proud that my community provides these resources and support to our community members.  My community is what it is today by us taking advantage of our diversity and helping all of our citizens strive.  Thank you to Sisters Carmen and Maura and all of the volunteers for all they do to help La Luz Hispana serve so many people.

If you are from Franklin County, what do you love the most about La Luz Hispana and our community?  If you are not from my local community, what other services do you see that are needed for communities with a growing diversity?

230 comments:

  1. They provide a very needed service in Franklin County!

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    1. I couldn't agree more Pat!

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    2. Yes. Thank you for that.

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    3. That they do. Thank you.

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    4. So glad they are in Hampton.

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  2. I haven't taken advantage of any of the programs they have offered but I have friends that do go often and they love all the stuff they do there. They post things on facebook to try and encourage and remind other people to attend as well. The Sisters are awesome ladies!

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    1. That is great to hear. I agree - Sisters Carmen and Maura are great ladies!

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    2. Agree. Sisters Carmen and Maura are the best.

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    3. Sometime come. Always welcome.

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    4. Know you are always welcome to stop by.

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  3. I love this one, Val!!! Of course I love all Comments for a Cause but this one is really a wonderful service for all of those folks in Franklin County! Good for you for sharing this with all of us---I had no idea that it existed and am so glad that it does!!!

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    1. It is a great program that is really helping Franklin County embrace our community.

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    2. This is a great thing you do Val.

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    3. Thanks Val for highlighting LLH and showing the diversity of Franklin county.

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  4. This is an awesome service that the sisters provided for the people in the area.

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    1. I agree. We are so lucky to have them here.

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    2. They are doing awesome things.

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    3. We are so thankfull to the sister's for their help.

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    4. Way appreciate all that the sister's do.

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  5. gdolberding@iowatelecom.netJune 2, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    Sisters Carmen & Maura are wonderful ladies with huge hearts and so much compassion for others! The center they have established offers many services to the folks in Franklin County.

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    1. I love how Sisters Carmen and Maura are continually finding and establishing new programs using the services and talents of members of the community.

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    2. Both sister's have big hearts and truly enjoy helping others.

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  6. This a great service for Franklin County. Thanks, Val, for promoting and supporting their cause!

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    1. I'm happy to be sharing and spreading the word about La Luz Hispana!

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    2. Franklin county is lucky to have this service.

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  7. La Luz Hispana is great organization in Franklin County. I loved attending their 1 year anniversary party!

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    1. We personally weren't able to attend the anniversary party but it looked like a great time! I loved seeing all the photos from the party.

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    2. Yes it was a lot of fun

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    3. I agree. And am looking forward to the next celebration.

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  8. This is a great service. Immigrants have so much to teach us about the courage of new beginnings.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. Beautifully stated!

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    2. At one time all of us had families who immigrated here. How nice if they had help of a group like La Luz Hispana.

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    3. Yes they really can teach us so much.

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  9. I have found La Luz to be a welcoming center. The people there are very
    hospitable and working toward the betterment of all of us. Praise God for such
    a wonderful place of opportunity for Iowa.

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    1. I agree. I think Franklin County is very blessed to have this center in our community.

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    2. So nice to help others be able to help themselves.

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  10. Val, blessings to you for your generosity. Carmen and Maura, keep up the great ministry.

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    1. They are doing a great ministry. :)

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    2. Blessings on all of you.

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  11. Such a wonderful place!

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    1. I agree! The center is a great asset for our community!

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    2. It is a very welcoming place.

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    3. We are so lucky to have such a nice center to go to.

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  12. The Presentations are always a model of hospitality! Your area is lucky to have them ministering to all!
    Ann Cooper

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    1. We are very lucky and blessed to have them ministering in our area.

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    2. The sister's have always been so welcoming.

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    3. They both follow in Nano, their foundress steps of helping those in need.

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    4. Their door is always open to help.

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  13. I have heard a lot about La Luz Hispana. What a wonderful organization.

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    1. They are serving a great need for our community.

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    2. If you are ever in Hampton. Stop by the center.

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  14. Carmen has always been an amazing person - way to go CUZ

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    1. I actually first met Carmen almost 10 years ago now and am so happy that she has been working in my local community the last few years. She is an amazing woman.

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  15. I love how welcomed I feel whenever I stop in. They really are a light in our community. And the street festival in May was awesome.

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    1. I agree Keri! I can always go to the Sisters for ideas and insight (and my kids love all of their toys there too). It is a very welcoming, family-friendly place!

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    2. The street festival was a lot of fun.

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    3. They are very welcoming to all that enter their door.

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  16. LLH is filling a need in our community with grace & fellowship. How wonderful that you are highlighting them!

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    1. Thank you. I hoping to bring some more awareness to all of their great work!

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    2. Yes Val. What you do for others is amazing also.

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    3. Thank you for bringing more awareness Val. LLH is a great place.

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  17. This sounds like a wonderful organization :)

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    1. It is a great organization that is helping our community as a whole.

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  18. I never knew this existed! Great info to have in my line of work.

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    1. If you are ever in Hampton, Iowa be sure to check it out. There doors are open daily and Sisters Carmen and Maura are always willing to share and talk!

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    2. They also have a Facebook page.

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  19. Great service for all in Franklin County.

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    1. Agreed! We are so lucky to have this in our community.

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    2. It really is a great service they do.

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  20. Thanks Val for adding La Luz Hispana to this. They are helping a lot of people.

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    1. They truly are helping our entire community!

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    2. Thanks Val. You are doing great things with your blog.

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  21. I love the variety of programs at La Luz Hispana.

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    1. I appreciate how they have business related to family-focused programs.

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    2. They do try to have nice variety of programs.

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    3. They try to have a variety of programs to help involve a lot of people.

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  22. What a blessing to have such a great organization

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    1. It really is. Our community is lucky!

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    2. Could not agree more. :)

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  23. I am a member of S. Carmen's associate group, Nano's Nine. Last summer our group ventured to Hampton to spend time helping at La Luz. I was worried about the language barrier, but it wasn't a problem. The mothers and ladies from the community were so warm and welcoming to us. We had a great day working together making flowers for an upcoming party. Both Carmen and Maura have given their hearts and hands to this community and center, and it shows. They are loved!!

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    1. Thanks for sharing about your experience. It is groups like yours, volunteering your talents and service, that help make this center a place of amazing work and deeds.

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    2. Everyone I have met has been so nice.

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  24. They are doing a great job of helping others.

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    1. They are helping out so many families and really, helping an entire community.

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    2. The families are very great full for the help.

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  25. What a great program.

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    1. Yes indeed! They are serving our area so well.

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    2. Such a variety of things they offer.

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  26. A dream come to reality!!!!

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    1. Yes! I remember being apart of a task force that thought about what was needed for our Hispanic community to strive and La Luz Hispana is filling a lot of those needs that were brought up.

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    2. So happy for them that this dream came true.

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    3. thanks for being a part of God's dream.

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  27. Replies
    1. I love all the work they have done in a little over a year as a center in our community!

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    2. Keep up the great work.

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  28. La Luz Hispana what a wonderful organization

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    1. I couldn't agree more! Thanks for commenting!

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    2. So many nice comments about them.

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  29. The Hispanic community, Hampton, and Franklin County are all blessed to have La Luz Hispana in their midst. Thank you Srs. Carmen and Maura!

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    1. A big thank you to Sisters Carmen and Maura!

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    2. Gracias hermanas.

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  30. Practical, friendly, community-oriented, stretching, fun!
    What more can a community ask for?

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    1. Great description words. Exactly - what more could a community ask for!

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    2. Offer help in so many areas for those that need it.

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  31. Done so much in just 1 year.

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    1. Yes they have! It is hard to believe that they only have been open for a year.

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    2. Sure year number 2 will also be a good one.

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  32. Keep up the great work of warm hospitality.

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    1. I love how they are such a warm and inviting place.

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    2. Both sisters truly follow in their community's foundress, Nano Nagle steps. By helping those in need.

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  33. I love that the Sisters have dedicated their passion to our growing community! We are blessed to have them here and providing the warmth, love, and resources that are needed!

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    1. Their passion is amazing and inspiring. Thanks for commenting!

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    2. The sister's are both so kind.

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    3. The Sisters are filled with passion and compassion.

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  34. What a great thing they are doing.

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    1. They are doing so many great things for our community as a whole.

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    2. Yes they are doing great things.

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  35. Remember back when La Luz Hispana was just an idea. Look at them now.

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    1. There have been a lot of people and groups trying to figure out and address the needs of our community over the last few years and it is great to have La Luz Hispana here addressing those needs.

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    2. So glad they took the time to research what was needed for the hispanic community. Thank you.

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  36. May the creative energies keep flowing!

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    1. They are always coming up with new and fun ideas and programs!

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  37. Great job! I am proud of you

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  38. Sr. Carmen and Sr. Maura are doing a great job in the community and I know the people love them. I was at the anniversary and it was just great. Keep up the great work.

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    1. Sisters Carmen and Maura have become great leaders in our community. We are lucky to have them!

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    2. They both are special to a lot of people.

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    3. So nice that everyone is working together to help one another.

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  39. I like how lives are being respected with dignity, love and joy.

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    1. I do too. I am very proud of the progress and way-of-life of our community.

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  40. Carmen and Maura are filled with joy which is the Holy Spirit.

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    1. I couldn't agree more! The Holy Spirit is alive and strong!

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    2. Yes they both are filled with joy.

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  41. Keep up to the good work.

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    1. They've done so much in one year - the sky is the limit for year two!

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  42. Many people are being blessed by this great service.

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    1. Very true! It is a great service for our community.

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  43. Sr. Carmen - Director of La Luz HispanaJune 12, 2014 at 10:53 PM

    I must say it is quite humbling to read all of these comments. Thank you to everyone! We are indeed blessed and in existence because of the wonderful support we have received from the Greater Franklin County community, our Presentation Sisters of Dubuque, IA and, of course, our Hispanic community. I strongly believe that it is 'together' we make things happen. I know that my life is blessed one hundred fold because of those I serve with and for. Thank you to each of you AND to our Hispanic community for making us who we are today. Now, let's keep these comments rolling! :) We still have half of month to go!

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    1. Thank you Sister Carmen. And yes - let's keep the comments coming! People can comment on any new or old post and it'll count towards your total for the end of the month!

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    2. There has been so many nice comments made.

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  44. Leaning on God helps move things forward. Keep leaning and keep going.

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    1. Great statement and so true. Thanks for sharing!

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  45. La Luz Hispana is a great way of building community from the grassroots.

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    1. And they are doing such a great job of building community throughout Franklin County and beyond.

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  46. Great energy. Great work.

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    1. Lot of energy and lot of great work indeed!

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  47. Great way to show that diversity is beautiful. Thanks.

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    1. I think the diversity of our community is one thing that makes us unique and will help us not just survive but strive.

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  48. Healing and listening happen at La Luz Hispana.

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  49. They are very welcoming to everyone and willing to lend an ear always.

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  50. Great organization, helping great people.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for commenting for $0.50 more cents towards such a great program!

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  51. With all the things that went on in the first year. I can not wait to see what this year brings.

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    1. I hope they do another block party or a cultural festival!

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    2. That was awesome.

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  52. Gracias LA Luz Hispana!

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    1. Yes, thank La Luz Hispana for all that they do!

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  53. Good luck in your 2nd year. What a awesome thing you are doing Val to help others also.

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    1. Thank you very much and thank you for helping La Luz Hispana by commenting!

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  54. Thank you La Luz Hispana for all you do.

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    1. They do so much and have helped our community move forward.

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  55. La Luz Hispana wishing you many years of success. Keep up the great work.

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  56. Carmen and Maura listened to the needs of the people and great things happened.

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  57. Great photos. They speak volumes.

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    1. Yes. Love the photos that are always posted on their page after an event. You can see the happiness and joy on all their faces. The people of Hampton truly love Sr. Carmen and Maura and the work that they do.

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  58. Awesome first year.

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  59. Great organization, helping great people.

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  60. May you both continue to o be blessed with much support.

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  61. Great organization. Thank you Comment for a Cause for you support!

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  62. What a great service to help others.

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  63. Thanks for all you do to help others La Luz Hispana.

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  64. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Can not say it enough.

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  65. Very proud of my cousin, Sr. Carmen!!!! You have always been an inspiration.
    Love, Brooke

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    1. Heard she has a very nice family.

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  66. Great compassion shown to many people.

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  67. I am very grateful for all that is happening in Hampton, Iowa. Keep up your great work.

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  68. Keep up the GOOD work

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  69. We will continue to be able to move forward with the help and support of this great resource and 2 wonderful Sisters! Thank you Sister Carmen and Sister Maura! You help make this world a better place!

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    1. I agree 100%.

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    2. Many thanks for your kind words. I think 'together' we all make the world a better place! :) Carmen

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  70. Congratulations La Luz Hispana on an amazing first year.

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  71. May God continue to bless you both as you continue your work of helping others.

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  72. Thanks from all of us for all the help you have given.

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  73. Learning about La Luz gives me hope.

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  74. La Luz Hispana is happy to help all they can.

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  75. May you continue to dog you're work for many years to come.

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    1. This message should say. Do your work for many years.

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  76. With the support of their communit, both Franklin county and The Presentation Sister's. Along with the love and support of family and friends. La Luz Hispana and the sister's will be able to continue to do great things for a long time.

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  77. May God bless all who help with La Luz Hispana.

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  78. Just heard of this organization. Thanks Val for letting La Luz Hispana be your June comments for a cause.

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  79. Thanks for highlighting La Luz Hispana. And helping them to help the hispanic population in our area.

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  80. This is a great way to both raise money for an organization and help shed more awareness of the services they offer.

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  81. As I read through some of the comments again tonight I saw again where some people have never heard of our organization. Know that you are more than welcome to stop by anytime to come and see our center. We'd be happy to give you the 30 tour :) and tell you a little about us. Sr. Carmen

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  82. Congratulations on an amazing first year.

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  83. Thanks to all who helped make La Luz Hispana a reality.

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