In an effort to help bright but economically needy Vallarta-area students stay in school and to protect at-risk and abandoned children and adolescents, two charitable organizations have initiated an ambitious altruistic campaign. Becas Vallarta and AGAPE had 100,000 bracelets specially made to support their vital work, which they are selling for the modest sum of 20 pesos each. That's under $2 USD to enjoy the good feeling of contributing to a positive outcome in young people's lives.

And while it may not seem like much individually, the overall tally when all these bracelets are sold will be some $200,000 USD, which will be put to such good use. And you don't have to look hard to find where to buy them, with 10 Cruzada Altruista booths located around the city. There are two on the popular downtown Malecon —one by the Hotel Rosita and the other by Los Arcos. Other booth locations include the Maritime Terminal where the cruise ships dock, Plaza Caracol, on Los Muertos Beach between El Dorado and La Palapa restaurants, and at both the airport and the bus terminal. The goal is that all these bracelets be sold by December. The proceeds will be split 50/50 between both organizations and sponsors are still being sought to help pay for the operation of the booths.

To learn more about these charities, see www.puerto-vallarta.com/amf and www.agapepv.com.