Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The term "Patrocinio" means sponsorship. Most IFC members spend a stretch of time, sometimes full time, in Puerto Vallarta. In the course of daily life in Vallarta most members get to know local residents whether those working at their favorite shops, those working where they live, from classes or simply from social contacts and friendships.

The newly updated and revised IFC Patrocinio program invites and encourages members to bring to the attention of the club leadership a Mexican citizen of limited economic means who faces a serious medical or dental challenge which requires some financial support to address. The IFC member, as sponsor, will help the person in need fill out an application form with an estimate from a medical professional of the treatment need and its cost.

The Patrocinio Program does not replace the IFC's ongoing humanitarian and charitable support programs, but rather gives members a chance to be more closely involved in helping a local person they know receive the aid they need. Thus the motto "Each one helps one." In this way they hope to help build bridges of friendship and support across cultures. Furthermore, the program is not a simple "hand out." When a resident's application is approved, the resident and their IFC sponsor must first come up with and deliver a percentage of the cost of the treatment. Only at that point does the IFC approve the treatment and reimburse the medical/dental provider the entire cost of delivering the treatment, within the parameters of the program.

The Patrocinio program was updated this year by President Dan Grippo with the able assistance of member and office volunteer Nova Jacobs and Susan Davalos, R.N., who has tirelessly served the IFC as volunteer coordinator of social services for many years. The motto "Each one helps one" was added to help convey the message of Patrocinio, or personal sponsorship, which is a social tradition embedded in Latin American culture.

The IFC office has Patrocinio application forms on file, and current members are encouraged to request one and set the process in motion. The application includes a clear set of the guidelines and steps involved. Questions can be directed to ifcvallarta(at)gmail.com