Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Foot stomping, hand clapping, and outburst of cheers were ongoing throughout the 6th Annual Duckaton held on the poolside terrace of Boana Torre Malibu on Wednesday, February 25 to benefit SETAC- Tu Centro Comunitario. Thanks to a tremendous amount of support from expats, the local community, vacationers, and businesses alike, this year's event was likely the best of years past.

Regardless of any measure of monetary success, it obviously brought the community together and that is part of the Community Center's mission. But to have experienced the buzz of smiles, hugs, random and brokenly pronunciated "Hola Amigos," and other greetings in Spanish, French and English was immeasurable.

"We were extremely pleased with the turnout," said SETAC Executive Director Paco Arjona. "This is one of our main fund-raising events and a lot of people worked very hard to pull everything together. We are grateful to everyone who helped, especially to our generous sponsors here in Puerto Vallarta, who chose to share not just goods and services, but also time and extra efforts."

"This was the best year ever," said Arjona. And he's not just talking money. "The Duckaton was a major opportunity to expose more people to the work that we do here."

The Duckaton charity event raised about $120,000 pesos for mothers living with HIV that are provided free baby formulas and supplements along with counseling and moral support; transportation and lodging for patients from surrounding communities (Talpa, Mascota y Tomatlán) to help them make it to their appointments; an antiretroviral bank; a PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Program); helping foreigners obtain Seguro Popular (insurance); medical specialist referrals (free or at low cost) and the many other vital services that SETAC offers to the Puerto Vallarta community.

SETAC's main goal for this year is to open a very needed Temporary HIV Shelter.

Your continued support allows us share with those in need of social services. Do feel proud and certain that you contributed to the need and on this event participation you shared your donation and time and in return enjoyed an event coordinated by volunteers that serve our community.

Gracias Coco's Kitchen, Mole de Jovita, La Cueva, Taste, Denis Henry y Hotel Mercurio for your wonderful and delicious food.

Gracias Vallarta Azteca, The Voice of Vallarta, Fanny, Carlos Herrera, Amy Armstrong & Bohemia Viva, Gabriel Delgadillo, and to Mariachi Nuevo Continental for providing such fabulous entertainment.

Gracias Carla Fifi and Isaac Carachure, our wonderful MC's.

Arjona and the SETAC staff wish to thank all of the generous sponsors, specially Denise Derameé from Banderas News, Ron Morgan, Jean-Gabriel Lambert and all of the very special volunteers that made it so possible for them to host such a grand event.

Please do continue to support SETAC and this season as you might return home from your expat stay, do some spring cleaning, or buy/sell a home, do consider donating Furniture, Towels, Housewares, Clothing, Canned Food, or any household item you wish dispose of, because these daily living items allow SETAC to further help local families in need.

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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.