Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - The fifth annual Duckaton fundraiser became the biggest and best to date, raising $75,000 pesos for SETAC - Tu Centro Comunitario, the organization which hosted the event. More than 250 people attended the fun and spectacular bash last Wednesday which featured live music and entertainment, free food, open bar, and great prizes... all for a good cause!

The Duckaton, or Duck-a-thon, is named for the floating ducks in the swimming pool which are raffled off during the evening. Those in attendance enjoyed the festivities even as they anxiously watched and waited for the "swimming boys" to collect the toy ducks in the pool and call out the winning numbers for the fabulous prizes which were donated by some wonderful sponsors from the Vallarta business community.

"This was the best year ever," said SETAC Executive Director Paco Arjona. And he's not just talking money. "Everyone's response was so good, from planning to organizing to executing the event. Everything went smoothly. It was incredible."

The Pato-ton was a major "opportunity to attract more people to the work that we do here," said Arjona. SETAC is located at Constitucion #427 on the corner of Manuel M Dieguez, and offers a variety of services to improve communities in and around Puerto Vallarta including: English classes and 12 step meetings in English, Movie Night every other Friday; free walk-in HIV and Syphilis rapid testing and counseling; promotion of safe sex through education and condoms for the asking.

Aditionally, mothers living with HIV are provided free baby formulas and supplements along with counseling and moral support; transportation and lodging for patients of surrounding communities (Talpa, Mascota y Tomatlán) for their appointments; antiretroviral bank; PEP (Post-Exposure Profilaxis Program); Seguro Popular for foreigners; specialist referral (free or at low cost) and much more.

Arjona and staff wish to thank every guest, patron and restaurant that participated which includes but is not limited to: The Boana Torre Malibu condo-hotel on Los Muertos Beach, Bravos, Taste, Valapanza, Mariscos Tinos, Langostinos, La Cueva, El Mole de Jovita and, for the first time, Starbuck's offered their delicious coffees and beverages.

For the first time, an auction netted some serious pesos for the event. Thanks to Grenville Latham whose stained glass brought in $4,100 pesos; Diamond International, whose necklace netted $3,500 pesos; and Ron Morgan, whose two night stay in a villa raked in $3,500. And a very special thanks to Mariachis Joya de Mexico and Diamante Negro, Vallarta Azteca Mexican Ballet, Hip Hop Boogie by MDance Academy, Carmen Duran, and The Fabulous DJ, who entertained us all night.

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The purpose of the SETAC Community Center, located at Constitucion #427 and the corner of Manuel Dieguez on the South side of Puerto Vallarta, is to provide essential services to the community, including physical and mental health treatment, referrals, and education in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC.