Vallarta's Angels
by Guillermina Olmedo/Marla Hoover
winter-spring/2000

There are some things to be said about community work, about the capacity to share. In these pages-and knowing that we will leave many unnamed-we wish to pay a small tribute to a handful of individuals who stand out for their altruistic endeavors. All of our 'angels' coincide in the same idea: a person who has everything cannot be completely happy if surrounded by people who have nothing. With its sorrows and joys, life should be a good experience for everybody and those of us who have been blessed by Fate, should find joy in sharing what we have to make the world a better place for the less fortunate.

There are in this town numbers of concerned citizens and organizations that bring about great good in the community. Some of them tend to our need for education and of a higher, more universal culture. Others care about the health and moral well-being of those whose ailment shouldn't mean isolation. There are some who work with the more sensitive segment of a community: its children. Some of them may be different but all have the same need for love, attention and for activities that are both instructive and fun. And, what about the elderly? Their needs are basically the ones mentioned above. A healthy community demands a healthy environment. Our authorities do what they can to conserve the bay but it's not enough. It's good that someone cares!

The right thing, though, would be for all of us to ask ourselves what we really care about: people, animals, the planet-and, as our 'angels', did something to improve their condition.

CARMEN FLORES
Fundación de Ayuda a Personas con Síndrome de Down, A.C.

Carmen Flores has a child who was born with an extra chromosome 21; this makes him different from the more common children. Being faced with the unusual can be scary, but fear has never wrought growth. Aware of the negative impact that our own preconceptions have on our relationship with these children, Carmen saw the big picture. She had been capable of breaking away from the limitations of fear; the next step was to convey genuine acceptance of the Down Syndrome children both in their parents and in society. With commitment, tenacity and love Carmen created an organization where they help parents with the integration process of their children, who eventually attend the ISPAC school interacting with the rest of the pupils. Because she knows there are no obstacles to pull these children through Carmen can be very demanding. When a child with Down Syndrome is born in one of our hospitals, Carmen is called to give the news to the parents; she is the perfect person to convince them that they have been blessed with a unique child who will make of them better people.

DR. ALFONSO DÍAZ AND RICARDO BLANCO
Organización Vallarta Contra el Sida, A.C.

Some times it's hard to make good intentions fit reality: ideals have wings but occasionally they are unable to take off. Alfonso Díaz is a gynecologist who, two years ago, rented an office to assist HIV-infected patients. Looking for a way to contribute to the community, Ricardo joined in the project that he has administered ever since. At the beginning they were faced with apathy but today their objectives seem closer at hand and work gets done on a daily basis. They know that prevention of the HIV infection is crucial, and with this in mind they organize information campaigns. But their actions don't end here. Their plans include offering complete medical attention and drugs to those who cannot afford them and opening a home for the terminally ill. They both agree that up to now the response of the community has been phenomenal.

BOB KISTNER
Creando Nuestro Futuro, A.C.

Three years ago, during a visit to some schools in PV's more squalid areas, Bob made a commitment. A man with a powerful vision not only in the field of business, where he has been so successful, but regarding social issues, Bob decided that his efforts and extra income (that instead of hoarding he chooses to apply to the betterment of the community) would go into making those dilapidated schools suitable for their purpose. 'Education-or the lack of it-is at the root of society's problems. It is also the source of their solution.' CNF (Creating Our Future), an initiative founded and financed by Kistner, supports the program Adopt a School designed by the government to build modern facilities on land donated by them. Construction is undertaken by teachers and parents of the children who will study there. Already four primary schools, one kindergarten and one secundaria (middle school) in Vallarta's less affluent colonias are CNF schools.

CRAIG CAUGHLAN
La Limpieza de la Bahía de Banderas de Puerto Vallarta, A.C.

Concerned with the environmental quality of the bay and its watershed, Craig Caughlan assisted in organizing the first Beach and Bay Clean-Up in 1993 in conjunction with International Coastal Clean Up Day. Today the twice-yearly event involves 2000 school children. Caughlan has developed the project into a non-profit organization La Limpieza de Bah'a de Banderas... Conservando el Paraíso, whose main goal is to educate the community on environmental awareness. With the assistance of the Secretary of Education, the group has held several workshops to educate teachers on this issue. Caughlan has also been instrumental in getting local businesses to donate the necessary items for the clean ups such as trash bags and the much needed beach trash barrels. He is now working on a project that would allow schools to adopt a beach or river area to further instill environmental awareness. Last year alone, because of Craig dedication, over 79 tons of trash were picked up from our beaches and rivers.

IVÁN APPLEGATE
Asociación de Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C.

Sixteen years ago a diving accident changed Iván Applegate's life forever. Being confined to a wheelchair, however, did not confine this Puerto Vallarta native's life. A quadriplegic, Applegate has spent the years since helping others to deal with the emotions and cultural barriers of living with a disability. Three years ago, he spearheaded the Association of Disabled People of Vallarta, stating, 'Puerto Vallarta can be hell in paradise for wheel-chair bound and other disabled people'. Today the 450 active members have brought about many positive changes including handicapped parking, ramps, support meetings, as well as finding ways to meet other needs of its members including getting the much needed equipment into Mexico. The most ambitious project Applegate-who also owns and operates the Conchas Chinas Grocery Store-is in charge of is building a center where disabled people can learn the many skills required to lead a productive life. A true inspiration-Iván Applegate.

LESLIE BODKIN

22 years ago a PE teacher from Canada visited Puerto Vallarta for the first time. Maybe our weather, that allows her to practice her favorite sport year-round, had something to do with her decision to stay. Who knows. The fact is that her love for softball has found here a noble expression and Leslie now trains children from three to five years of age in the sport. 'It is only when you get started at this early age that you can become the best in your field; otherwise, you can only aspire to be good at it.' Although Leslie prepares only 20 children, her older trainees work with 100 kids who are improving their health, learning about discipline, acquiring social skills, having fun and winning tournaments while playing soft ball. Last year these children were state champions and came 4th in the national championships. Thank you, Miss Leslie.

LUCY MUÑIZ DE GEVINS
Animal Protection Association, A.C.

Always the animal lover, five years ago Lucy opened her Cu Cu Cabana and Zoo, a gift shop stuffed with handcrafted animals. However, she wanted to do something to help the real animal kingdom and knew of the overpopulation problem of pets in Puerto Vallarta. That same year she created the Animal Protection Association or APA, a non-profit organization dedicated to controlling the reproduction of cats and dogs belonging to Vallarta families of limited resources, and street animals as well as to finding homes for abandoned animals. As of this date, the APA together with three veterinarians who give their service at very reduced rates, have spayed and neutered over 1,200 animals and have found good homes for more than 500 pets. Lucy gives countless hours to the fundraising and bookkeeping involved in keeping this worthwhile campaign going. For this the people and pets of Puerto Vallarta thank you.

PEDRO AND MARTHA RODRÍGUEZ
Caritas

In Vallarta, three out of seven parishes (Guadalupe, La Aurora, Pitillal) have Caritas, an association, made up of 12 members coordinated by Pedro and Martha. Years ago, her mother had founded the Guadalupe dispensary for the sick and destitute becoming her inspiration. Thus was born her vocation to help. 'But it is not really help,' she argues, 'it is an obligation towards our brothers and sisters!' Their concept of charity is not based on feelings. Caritas has a team of social workers whose reports are fundamental in their decisions to help. 'In order to be effective, charity has to be organized.' Before alleviating material poverty, their goal is to change the mentality of the indigent. So, even though Caritas provides the usual services of the dispensary, its main work is done in the spirit: 'Moral poverty and poor self esteem are our targets. They are at the root of prostitution and the addiction to drugs and alcohol. In Caritas we promote human dignity.'

ROBERTO CUEVAS AND HUMBERTO ESPARZA
'Having more than my neighbor and flaunting it has never appealed to me,' says Humberto who doesn't need an expensive convertible to set himself aside from the rest. 'Working your ass off in order to buy stuff seems terribly empty to me.' For him other things are more inspiring and definitely more fun. 'I love to get actively involved in community-oriented projects. Handing out money for others to do the work is not enough.' For the last 13 years, Humberto and Roberto, owners of Le Bistro, have organized a spring bazaar where donated items are sold and where other restaurant owner contribute fabulous food. The cause? A home for the elderly run by nuns in Tepic and maybe soon, a day care center for the aged in Vallarta. 'Old people are very moving. There is nothing sadder than a perfectly lucid but helpless person unable to take care of himself.' With their own funds, Roberto and Humberto built and support a school in El Pedregoso.

MARÍA JOSÉ ZORRILLA
Jefa del Departamento de Cultura y Recreación Municipio de Puerto Vallarta

From 1998 Vallarta intensifies its cultural vocation and thanks to María José's efforts it's now filled with music, dances, theater and literature through performances for the whole family. From guignol for children to concerts by world-class musicians, these shows are for everyone. 'This is definitely not my personal accomplishment,' she states. It's true. There are all those young people full of projects who transmit her their enthusiasm and infuse life to her endeavors. There are federal institutions, the University of Guadalajara (that has played a crucial role) and some local (and generous) businessmen with whom she shares her objectives. City Hall has given María José their trust and support. They believe in her work and have increased her budget more than once. Her goal? 'Making culture accessible to all citizens because only an educated society is capable of deciding tits future and evolve.'

PATRICIA MENDEZ AND JOANNE QUICKSTAD

Caring, dedicated, committed, Patricia Mendez and Joanne Quickstad. These two industrious women have loyally volunteered tirelessly to the International Friendship Club's Clef Palate Program and to networking any child they know of who needs medical help in any way. For the past four years, they have been instrumental in helping over 200 children and adults receive the reconstructive surgery they need to lead a healthy, productive life. Beside running their Terapeutica Massage business, they give many hours of their time each month, overseeing the IFC program coordinating everything from scheduling the dozens of consultations, surgery times, to arranging for donations for the medical teams airfare, meals, lodging and enlisting people to get the endless list of supplies they need to take care of these children. It has been their goal to raise the awareness of the community so people can help them help these kids, which they have done an inspirational job doing.