We want to thank the Oceanside (Parksville Qualicum Beach), Nanaimo and Victoria schools and communities for making Max Garcia feel so welcome as he shared his past Holocaust experiences at Auschwitz.
Special thanks to Greg Lewis, history teacher at Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville, partnering with KSS, and Tanya LeBans, humanities teacher of Dover Bay Secondary at Nanaimo arranging the details with some 200 people in attendance at each of these events. In addition, Bill and Edie Southward co-ordinating with Pacific Christian Academy in Victoria for some 500 students, and Carol and Fred Dowe arranging presentation of Max Garcia at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre (over 350 in attendance… our Mayor Westbroek welcomed Mr. Garcia, and spoke to him in Dutch) and co-ordinating the schools and Victoria venues.
His message to the students was encouraging them to never give up, be diligent and always research your subject, go to the original, not believing everything you read. Also, we must never forget what happened at Auschwitz and all the prisoner camps. Mr. Garcia was so encouraged by the response of our communities and passionately shared his experiences and so enjoyed meeting the students and public personally.
Great thanks from Max Garcia. He has recently had a bad fall with five broken ribs and is in hospital. If you have any questions or comments, we would be happy to pass them along to him. Email us at: caroldowe@gmail.com. Great thanks to our Vancouver Island supporters of Max Garcia and all Holocaust victims, survivors and their families.
Fred and Carol Dowe
Qualicum Beach