THE KIDS CALL HIM OLI PALETA (THE CANDY MAN)

Brother Oli Cajanek, a member of Rev. J. E. Regan Knights of Columbus Council 3909, and his wife Betty first came to Mazatlan in 1986 and now live among many friends that also support his non-profit organization, Amigos del Centro Comunitario Familia A.C. in Mazatlan, Mexico.
The kids call him OLI PALETA (The Candy Man) because he always carries candy in his pocket that he distributes to the Mexican children. However it is not only candy that he distributes but much more.
Br. Oli starts in Oct. by arranging an English Mass at a local church Sagrada Familia. Fr. Juan Jorge Rosales the head of the Xavierian Mission Order for the Mexican Region assigns a priest to say mass every Sun. starting in October for over 300 expats until they leave in May. Bro Oli arranges readers, money collectors, ushers, greeters, and most of the time serve as an altar boy.
In November. he sets up a table outside of the church with pictures of poor areas and collects money with 2 helpers for food. Last year he bought 8,700 Kg. of food from wholesalers at a cost of $ 350,000 pesos ( about C$30,000 )and made up over 2,500 bags of groceries that he distributed with volunteers in 10 poor areas and among 3 orphanages, Salvation Army, a girl’s shelter and a diabetic shelter. He gave 1100 bags to La Vina, a Christian Group to deliver at the dump and outlying areas. At the same time he runs a Thursday Golf group up to 45 players.
At Christmas and The Feast of 3 Kings, Bro Oli holds Christmas Parties which included 20 Salvation Army kids last year. Zurdo Ramirez, (a former poor kid, but now the World Boxing Champion in the light heavy weight class), helped with gifts that were requested in a special red post box next to the Christmas Tree. Then Bro. Oli starts organizing the financial committee for a golf tournament on the last Monday in February each year when El Cid turns over the golf course to him to collect fees at $900 pesos per person, to sell 600 raffle tickets, 50 Hole Sponsor Signs and get donations from local businesses for prizes for the tournament which brings in $ 230,000 pesos.
In Jan. he holds a Christmas Party for the Thursday Golfers followed by a meeting over breakfast with 35 students and 25 sponsors. (15 students were working to help their families). He also has 7 adult students that just take English.
In March, one of his financial committee members holds a Rock ‘ Roll Party near the beach and raises another $33,000 pesos
In April, he holds a Kids’ Day Fiesta for 150 kids, with a hot dog stand, candy table, drink table, an inflatable slide, and a clown to entertain the kids.
In May, he holds a Mothers’ Day Fiesta for 40 local Mothers. He also celebrates Teachers’ Day by treating his staff to a dinner at El Bamboo restaurant. Bro Oli also holds Fiestas for Valentines’ Day, Farewell, Day of the Dead, and Halloween.
Each month he holds as well, a birthday of the month day for kids with birthdays. The Lions club from Minneapolis check eyes and give glasses for those in need which causes a line up going back a block. He also holds dental clinics, first aid clinics and takes kids to a local doctor when needed.
July is the summer camp month and outings to the newly rebuilt Aquarium and the beach.
Every month Bro Oli gets requests for medical help and food. He makes 3 trips to the orphanages and homeless shelters every year. Familia is a year-round operation with 10 staff. They hold a monthly Bazaar with clothing, furnishings, and appliances.
Bro. Oli also sponsored the education scholarship of a needy Christian student in the Holy Land until she graduated through www.jerusalemstudents.org Upon her graduation, he offered to sponsor the cost of her studies, as her family may not be able to send her to university because of their situation and political unrest in the area.
To keep teenagers off the street and away from drugs, Oli started a Boxing Academy which was later sponsored by his president ” Zurdo Ramirez ” the boxing champion who liked what he was doing and is now sponsoring the gym and Boxing Academy for 80 teens and ten adult boxing instructors. 3 teen boxers turned professional and one is a Junior Mexican Champion. Bro Oli had to build a separate change room building with 4 showers and 3 toilets next to the Basketball Court.
Last month on Kids’ Day they had 150 children for a Fiesta with a Brincolin amusement centre, Pinatas, hotdogs, candy and a clown to entertain the kids.
Bro Oli takes his friends and parishioners to see the little kids at the Familia Community Centre at meal time and they are hooked to help. Bro Oli says “ It helps to see the kids running towards me to get a little hug when we arrive and when they say Grace before the meal, they add ” God Bless Oli and Betty for helping us “. As the kids get older 18 of them are sponsored in highschool, 27
are at university, and 8 are adults studying English only. All the students are fully funded. One Nano Engineer is going to Monterey for a Master’s degree in aeronautics, another Fish Biology engineer has gone to Culiacan for a Master’s degree as well.
Presently Oli has 53 students in his program in Mazatlan sponsored by 26 of his good American and Canadian friends that want to do something to help poor students get educated.
Oli Paleta is always guided by his strong faith. He recently just finished constructing a Grotto to our Lady of Guadalupe next to a memorial for a good American friend in front of the Centre.
The Tourism Ministry distinguished Bro Oli and Betty as Mazatlan’s Official Tourism Ambassadors for their service to the community. Dr. Francisco summed it up in the appreciation certificate that without Oli & Betty, Mazatlan will not be the same.
Bro Oli Says “ I pray every day to Our Lady of Guadalupe in a Novena till the end of the year to give me strength to continue helping the poor people and especially their beautiful children to raise them to be considerate and loving towards their neighbours. I will turn 82 this year but I am busy as ever. Vivat Jesus.