Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Becas Vallarta, A.C./America-Mexico Foundation, Inc. has an innovative program that involves people of means who believe as we do that education is the key to the success of a person, a community and, yes, the world. We sought out supporters who would annually donate $5000 USD (or peso equivalent) to give us a reliable base to augment our fund raising events.

When we began this program a few years ago, we wanted a significant name for this group with meaning. Thus we consulted Becas friend and supporter, Spanish Maestro, Melchor Cortes Cortes. Knowing that he always greeted his brother Gaspar with, "¿Que Tal, Compadre?" (What's Up?) We asked why he would refer to his brother with a title, not a name.

Compadre Isabel Manore always exceeds our expectations with her annual contribution.

Melchor, in his best teacher's voice, explained that to be one's Compadre in this culture is the ultimate in status. A Compadre is a person to whom one has entrusted the welfare of his precious child in a ceremony that, while performed in a church, really transcends organized religion, and signifies a relationship between two people on a higher plane than even a blood relationship. WOW!

So armed with this compelling name, Becas members brain stormed on how to meet our need to reach folks to help us generate more funds to sustain and expand our scholarship program for the large number of Puerto Vallarta girls and boys with great scholastic ability and small economic resources.

We decided that we must try to tap into a viable source here in our town: the banks, automobile dealerships, large companies that are bringing in their wares and developers who are building the condos that house the people who will keep those businesses going, as well as individuals who were lucky enough to be financially successful in their lives before moving to or visiting Puerto Vallarta.

Our brainstorming ended with a consensus that we should initiate a program where a donation of at least $5000 USD (or Peso equivalent) would make the donor a "Compadre of Becas," a person to whom we would entrust the welfare of our precious children now and in the future. We wanted these donors to be a part of us, not just financially, but personally. So we decided to give to each Compadre a table for 10 at the Becas Balls and this has proved to be very popular and appreciated by our large donors.

The first year 2008-2009 was very successful with the developers of Molino de Agua becoming our initial Compadres along with seven individuals. In the year 2009-2010 we had increased our Compadres and continue to do so. Unfortunately, we didn’t reach many outside our small circle of tried and true Becas supporters, but this year we are determined to broadcast the value of this great program as far as we can.

The proof of the success of this 50 year old foundation is that in the forefront of Vallarta's vibrant community are doctors, dentists, lawyers, teachers, accountants, business men and women, all recipients of AMF scholarships, and all contributing greatly both to Vallarta and to the Foundation.

We are actively reaching out to expand our cadre of Compadres. If you or someone you know has the desire to see your chosen home away from home, Puerto Vallarta, take its place in this world with a highly educated and forward looking populous, please contact Jerry Lafferty at (322) 221-6156 or AMF President Carlos Fregoso at 221-0789 or me, Polly Vicars at 222-1371. We and the almost 400 scholarship students we are currently funding are awaiting your call.

NOTE: Don’t forget our upcoming Becas Breakfast at Daiquiri Dick’s on January 18, 2012 at 9:30 am. Tickets are only $150 pesos and must be reserved in advance with me at 223-1371 or at phvicars(at)gmail.com or with any member of Becas. Come, meet other supporters of this program, take a chance on winning great prizes and bid on super items in the Silent Auction.