It’s never too early to turn one’s thoughts to the joys of Christmas gift-giving! Toys for Tots Puerto Vallarta is pleased to announce the 15th consecutive year of fund raising to purchase toys for local needy children on Three Kings Day, the traditional gift-giving day in Mexico. We’ve averaged more than 8,000 toys/year over the past 14 years, and certainly hope to reach at least this level in 2014.
Each toy we hand out evokes another smile on the face of a child who may otherwise receive nothing during the Christmas season. Educators tell us something as small as a visit by the Three Kings with a gift can create a sense of inclusion and hope, and perhaps inspire some of these children to stay in school and build a better life just like they see with the more privileged children. So we’re not only handing out toys, but perhaps building pride and hope as well.
We’ve scheduled two major fund raising events over the next month. First up is a charity golf scramble on Saturday, December 6. This will be followed by our always popular Gala Dinner Dance on Sunday, December 7. As in the past, the Golf Tournament will be held at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club, Weiskopf course, with a shotgun start at 11 am. The Dinner Dance will be in the ballroom of the Marriott CasaMagna Resort and Spa starting at 6:30 pm. Cost per person for the golf outing is 1300 ps. ($100 U.S.) and for the dinner dance 1000 ps. ($75 U.S.) There will be prizes galore at the golf tournament, and the dinner dance will be enhanced by a performance of the childrens’ mariachi band during cocktails and an auction of truly remarkable merchandise after dinner. None of these will detract from the action created an outstanding dance band. Tickets are available at the Marriott concierge desk, at the Vista Vallarta and Marina golf pro shops, Carol’s Boutique on Basilio Badilio #250 in the Romantic Zone (044 322 137 4902), Dorothy Piontkowski in the Marina (209 0064) or from just about any member of the Navy League.
You don’t want to be shut out from these very popular events, so buy your tickets early. We hope everyone can find a way to support these heart warming and fun activities this Christmas season. Importantly, every peso raised will go to the purchase of toys at steep discounts from a distributor in Guadalajara. All expenses are covered by a totally volunteer effort, plus generous donations from a large number of sponsors, including Vista Vallarta Golf Club which opens its Weiskopf course to free play, the Marriott CasaMagna Resort which provides its facilities and gourmet dinner also without charge, and many other local business establishments.
As a reward for your support, everyone will be invited to participate in the actual distribution of toys when schools resume following the Christmas break. This year it will be a day after Three Kings Day, or Wednesday, January 7. You will be linked with one of our many routes that fan out across the Bahia to find the neediest children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, mostly in Jardines de Ninos or Kindergartens. It’s truly a memorable day, with the kids’ smiles creating lasting impressions on those lucky enough to be involved.
