Have you recovered from Fall Fiesta yet? We’re still reeling from the generosity and fun-loving spirit you showed at this event. Let’s reminisce about the top six highlights together, shall we?

SIX

The venue, food, drink, prizes, and games were superb this year, as always. Cincinnati’s skyline glittered outside the Great American Ball Park as you laughed with friends old and new, sipped some spirits, won everything from bottles of wine to trips to Africa and the Cayman Islands, and dined sumptuously on a full dinner.

We love it when you laugh with us.

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Who doesn’t remember being six years old, face to face with a huge, gorgeous elephant? The elephant takes giant step after giant step towards you, all before opening its mouth to enormous dimensions to take in some well-earned grass from the savanna. The sun glows brightly overhead while the herd’s baby elephants spend some playtime in the nearby watering hole. Then, suddenly, your mom calls your name, the herd scatters, and poof! You’re startled out of your daydream.

Around here, most of us aren’t lucky enough to actually get to see an elephant in the wild. But YOU may get to live out your wildest childhood daydreams because…

This year’s luxury raffle winner will enjoy a six-day, six-night South African Safari for two!

How could you say no to that adorable face?

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You blew us all away at last year’s Fall Fiesta by raising nearly $170,000 for CoEd’s educational programs in Guatemala. That’s right, $170,000. And we know that we can do it again this year! (more…)

“It was just like a wedding. You look out and you see all these people who you love and who have meant so much to you over the years.” —Joe Berninger

It really was a special experience to dedicate the new education center with so many of you last month. Per the norm, Joe found the exact words to express what we are all feeling. Twice now we’ve gotten to celebrate the opening of our new Education Center with the folks who’ve made it possible for such a space to become a reality: the building’s benefactors, new friends and long-time supporters, Rotarians from the US, Canada, Guatemala, and the Cayman Islands, local business leaders and government officials, teachers, principals and students who make the work of education a reality every day, and even Jeff and Joe’s mom! Whew! Did we cover everyone? What a joy it was to celebrate the accomplishments of the last twenty years with you. (more…)

Are you excited for 2017 with Guatemalan students yet!? 2015 was #Awesomeyear, 2016 was even better, and 2017 is gonna be the best yet. Take a peek at what lies in store for you, CoEd supporters:

ONE

Inaugurating our new Education Center, which will consolidate our staff offices in the very heart of the country, helping us be a more together, more efficient poverty-busting team! (We also got some cool bonus features like solar panels and teacher-training rooms.)

Isn’t it pretty?

Student approved.

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We partied hard this weekend at our 20th birthday bash, and guess what—it paid off! (literally) Your enthusiasm and support for students in Guatemala was truly inspiring, and we can’t thank you enough for all you did to make the night a success. Let’s get straight to it and review the night (and the results), shall we?

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Guys, this rocks. No really, it’s a blog post about rocks! Well, kinda…

Victor Morales in front of his jewelry gallery, MAYA

We are so happy to announce a new partnership with Victor Morales, owner of the jewelry gallery known as MAYA. Victor recently moved MAYA to Cincinnati after many successful years in Boston working with handmade jewelry by Native American, Mayan, and Mexican artists. Now he’s decided to donate a portion of his proceeds to CoEd! During the month of November a portion of all sales at MAYA will be set aside for CoEd—with the goal of raising $10,000 for children in Guatemala! The gallery is located on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, right across from the Esquire Theatre. So stop by MAYA (or shop online) and take a look at the unique pieces offered there. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy a special holiday gift that will also help students in need!

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South Carolina locals lovingly refer to Seabrook Island as “an unspoiled island paradise.” You could refer to it as the place you vacationed in luxury for only $20!

Locals refer to Seabrook Island as an unspoiled island paradise.

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Hey, so…noticed anything different about us lately? Do we seem a bit like a…fine wine or cheese to you? Mature? Sophisticated? Slightly more grown up?

NO!?

Okay fine, we’ll just tell you: We’re turning 20!

Aaaaaaaaand: We want YOU to celebrate with us!

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Well folks, that’s a wrap on another Fall Fiesta! We are beyond grateful and honored to have shared the night with so many wonderfully generous supporters (some of whom even flew in from across the country!).

In case you were in the most unfortunate position of missing out on this year’s Fall Fiesta, let us break down the magical evening for you…

What a space! Great American Ball Park had the most gorgeous view of the riverfront, and really helped elevate the ambiance to the next level.

Fiesta time on the banks of the river #fallfiesta #pinata #xavier #fundraiser #cooperativeforeducation

A photo posted by Lindsey Cencula (@cencula) on Nov 19, 2015 at 10:14am PST

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