We pay tribute to the memory of our friend and Pedro Pan sister Elly Vilano Chovel, who was a founding member of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. in 1991 and was its driving force until her passing in August of 2007. Elly selflessly dedicated a substantial part of her life to the organization and its mission and is sorely missed by all.

Elly served on the first Board of Directors and later was the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. Previously, Elly served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities and became a Trustee. Her innumerable volunteer work included the boards of the Miami Ballet Society, Miami City Ballet, Community Relations Board, Creced, Catholic Home for Children, and Boys Town of Florida.

Elly was an extraordinary woman that was respected and admired by all for her contributions to the community and for the leadership she provided to programs that benefit children in need. One of Elly’s projects helped fulfill Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh’s dream by raising funds for Catholic Charities’ new home for unaccompanied minors in South Florida. The dream was fulfilled on September 20, 2006, with the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh Children’s Village and Memorial Square.

For her selfless dedication and commitment, Elly received the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award (1995) and was named Woman of Impact (2000) by the Coalition for Women's History of the Historical Society of Southern Florida.

Elly’s legacy will live on, and she will always be remembered with affection and admiration by those whose lives she touched and by all the members of Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc.

OPERATION PEDRO PAN GROUP, INC. (OPPG)
A National Charitable Organization
members@pedropan.org

HELPING NEEDY CHILDREN - SUMMER 2010

One of our organization's main missions is the sponsor, aid, assist and promote programs that benefit children in need. These are some of the charitable and community service activities that we are currently working on:

• Presented the Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. Scholarships to three college-bound seniors from Hialeah High, Miami High & Coral Gables High. The Scholarship award checks were presented to the students and their parents at the organization's July breakfast, attended by more than 70 Pedro Pan men and women.

• Funded summer outings and activities for all boys and girls living at Monsignor Bryan Walsh Children’s Village (Trip to Seaquarium, bowling, zoo, others.).

• Participation on Career Day at Monsignor Bryan Walsh Children’s Village in August – Several OPPG members will make presentations and discuss career options with the young men and women.

• Adoption of Matecumbe Park. Our organization is currently pursuing the adoption of the park and has selected several projects that will benefit the disabled children who attend the day care there.

NOTE: We are looking for volunteers. If you would like to help, send an email to members@pedropan.org. More specific information will be provided in the near future.

SAVE THE DATE

Pedro Pan Reunion - Fiesta de Carnaveles Cubanos de 1950's
Miami Rowing Club - September 25, 2010
6:30 p.m.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION PEDRO PAN

To celebrate this important milestone in our lives, we will have a full weekend of activities on Nov. 12, 13 and 14. There will be many special reunions, and we hope that you will join us.

Friday, November 12th
- Golf Game (morning)
- Welcome cocktail get-together – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 13th
- Thanksgiving Dinner-Dance - 6:30 p.m.
“Honoring Our Heroes”

Ticket Price: $50 per person
Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL

Music by Carlos Oliva & Los Sobrinos del Juez
Angel Canete, Son y Salsa (Disc Jockey)

Sunday, November 14th
- Lunch by the Hotel Pool - Noon
Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL

GOLF GAME - Nov. 12, 2010

Please send us an email expressing your interest in participating on the 50th Anniversary Golf Game on Friday, Nov. 12, the day before the dinner-dance. We have started a list with the names of those interested.

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Sat., July 17, 2010 – 10:00 am – OPPG Breakfast
Place: La Casona Restaurant

Sat., August 21, 2010 – 10:00 am – OPPG Breakfast
Place: La Casona Restaurant

Sat., September 25, 2010 – Baile de Disfraces (Masquerade Party)
Place and date: Miami Rowing Club, Key Biscayne

NOTE: There will not be an OPPG breakfast in September.

Sat., Oct. 16, 2010 – 10:00 am – OPPG Breakfast
Place: La Casona Restaurant

Sat., Nov. 13, 2010 – 6:30 pm - 50th Anniversary Dinner-Dance
Place: Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL.

Sat., December 18, 2010 – 10:00 am – OPPG Breakfast
Place: La Casona Restaurant

Monday, December 20, 2010 – 7:00 pm – Memorial Mass for Monsignor Walsh and deceased Pedro Pan brothers and sisters.
Place: St. Dominic Catholic Church, Miami, Fl..

December, 2010 – Toy Distribution at Children’s Village

January, 2011 – Reyes Magos Toy Distribution – Centro Hispano Catolico Monsignor Walsh

If you would like to provide us your feedback about anything posted on this website, please log in first (enter Log-in Name and password), then you can select one of the Forums listed under Pedro Pan Forums to enter your comments.

Use the Forum "General Talk" to share your views about letters and articles posted on this website.

Use the Forum "Find a Lost Pedro Pan," if you are looking for a lost friend. Enter as much information as you can about the friend(s) you are trying to find, and also your name and email address.

Thank you, we would like to hear from you. If you need assistance, please let us know how we can help, by sending us an email at members@pedropan.org.

Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc.

"THE SWEARING IN & INSTALLATION CEREMONY"

Was conducted on Saturday, May 15, 2010
by the Honorable Israel Reyes

Congratulations to the
Elected Officers and Board members 2010-2011

• Tina Gallinar, President
• Frank ‘ Paco’ Echeverria, 1st Vice-President
• Carmen Romanach, 2nd Vice-President
• Maria de la Milera, Secretary
• Ivan Ceballos, Treasurer
• John Couriel, Director
• Eloisa Echazabal, Director
• Ramon ‘Ray’ Flores, Director
• Carmen Valdivia, Director

Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization, tax exempt under Section 501 c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Inspired by the humanitarian work of Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh, its members continue to assist the programs and projects he started.

Mission Statement

To sponsor, aid, assist and promote programs that benefit children in need. This includes children without parents (unaccompanied minors) and the needy, regardless of race, creed, color and religion.

To document our history for future generations and to spread the knowledge of our exodus as an important chapter of the history of Cuba and the United States.

To locate, reunite and bring together those individuals who where part of Operation Pedro Pan and the Unaccompanied Cuban Children’s Program and to share our experiences.

2010 Highlights

• Toy distribution to 400+ children at Centro Hispano Católico Day Care Center for Reyes Magos.
• Desayuno Martiano to remember Jose Marti at Felix Varela Hall, Miami.
• Conducted a Family Picnic at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne.
• Held annual election meeting/breakfast to select new OPPG Board members.
• Conducted a Book Drive for disabled children at Matecumbe Park.

2009 Highlights

• Toy distribution for Reyes Magos at Centro Hispano Católico Day Care Center (More than 400 children received a toy).
• Remembered Jose Marti during visit to Instituto San Carlos, Key West, Florida.
• Conducted a Family Picnic at Kendall Indian Hammocks (Kendall Camp).
• Held annual election meeting to select new OPPG Board members at April’s breakfast.
• Swearing-in and Installation Ceremony of the OPPG Board of Directors and officers at Center of Cuban-American Studies, University of Miami.
• Funded visits to Metro Zoo and bowling for minors at Children’s Village.
• Purchased graduation ring for first high school graduate at Children’s Village.
• Funded purchase of items every 3 months for the small store at Children’s Village.
• Unveiling ceremony of Msgr. Bryan O. Walsh’s Bust at the Children’s Village.
• Celebrated 49th Anniv. Thanksgiving dinner-dance and fund-raising event.
• Christmas presents distributed to every child at the Children’s Village.