5.01.07: PFF Buys New Bus for Dominican Orphans

During the O' Night Divine Christmas Celebration in 2005, the Pujols Family Foundation promised to buy the Orfanato Niños de Cristo (The Children of Christ Orphanage) in the Dominican Republic a new van to transport the children to and from school. "That was much easier said than done," says Todd Perry, Executive Director of the PFF. "Early in 2006, we found that the taxes and customs on a new van coming from the United States to the DR was almost 100% of the vehicle's sticker cost. We went though several layers of Government officials and cashed in a few favors from some friends in the Dominican, but the best we ever got was around 75% of the van's value in customs."

Seeing that there was no way to even bring this van to the orphans, the PFF decided to buy them a van/bus while they where visiting in January of this year. "Albert and Deidre personally went to the dealership and picked out the bus themselves," said Perry. "Even though it took several months longer than we wanted, the bus that we bought turned out to be much bigger and much better suited to their needs that what we initially had. God knows what He is doing!" Perry said with a smile.

"What started as a major problem with customs and taxes turned out to be a huge blessing," Deidre Pujols commented. "We were able to give the orphanage exactly what they needed and at the same time, help the local economy by buying the bus here."

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