Live music, champagne and canapes to raise money for Mexican disaster

Singer Kachina Lewis and Zumba instructor Hellena Bazan have organised a Gatsby-style cabaret night at Lucia’s By The Sea on November 2, with proceeds going towards helping these families rebuild their lives.

Expatriate Ms Bazan said she was thankful her family, who still live in her homeland, were okay but she felt compelled to do more than donate to a major charity and not know whom she was helping.

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She said seeing the horrific destruction on television and the Internet brought back memories from when she was a little girl and a similar disaster occurred in 1985.

“It was horrible,” Ms Bazan said.

“I contacted my school mates … and [asked them] ‘please if you know someone who has lost their home or needs help please contact me’.

“All these families have lost their homes or the building is not [structurally sound] so they’ve pretty much lost everything.”

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The families include uber driver and church pastor Zamorano Sanchez, his wife and six-year-old daughter; widow Mrs Martha Garcia, her two sons, daughter and grandchild; single mum Alejandra Justo who also cares for her elderly parents and Professor Victor Manuel Aguilar and his family.

“The stories that they’ve told me is horrific,” Ms Bazan. “I’ve always asked God, ‘please help me help’; I’ve always wanted to help others.”

The fundraiser follows on from the fitness instructor’s other project to do good in the world, an inspirational Facebook page called The Ripple of Love – now with more than 22,600 followers after just six months of being active.

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“I finished my diploma in Life Coaching last year and wanted to create a space for people to feel empowered and the importance of love in anyone’s life,” she said.

“It’s like a ripple you know, everyone gets affected by it, if you’re vibrating with love it’s good for everyone around us.”

Confirmed acts for the evening include Neil Taylor and Jackie Bennett, Roses in Hand and Sound of KoKo Trio featuring Matt Bourne on percussion.

CHANGE OF DATE: Gatsby Fundraiser for Mexico, Lucia’s By The Sea (16 Cliff Rd, Wollongong) November 2, 6pm.

Tickets $55 via: www.stickytickets.com.au