Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The LGBT community and friends have been busy giving back to the community. Here is a summary of what has been done and some ongoing opportunities to give to those in need.

Casa Cupula and Taste Restaurant are proud to announce that in 2015 they have helped raise over $6000 USD for SETAC, Puerto Vallarta's LGBT community center fighting HIV/AIDS.

For example, their recent "Dine for a Cause" dinner, held at Taste Restaurant on March 14, 2015, raised:

$1750 in donations matched 50% = $2625
10% of sales plus poster sales = $3016
Event's total donation to SETAC: $5641 pesos

Casa Cupula has raised $5310 pesos so far this season in donations from attendees at their weekly Friday Warm-up Parties. With a match by Casa Cupula of $2655 pesos more, that's another $7965 pesos to SETAC. That is a grand total of $13,606 pesos.

In addition, Casa Cupula would like to thank and acknowledge Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. After his annual visit to Casa Cupula, Tom wrote a check to support SETAC to the tune of $5000 USD! Combined with Casa Cupula's support, that's over $6000 USD. Thank you to everyone who came to enjoy the show, and who have donated at our Warmup Parties!

Puerto Vallarta lost a beloved member of our community March 16, 2015. Cashetta/Scott Weston died unexpectedly at home while in town performing her show at ACT II's The Red Room. Kim Kuzma, Miss Conception, Mark Rome and the LGBT community came together and arranged a ticketed "Celebration of Life Memorial" for Cashetta that was held March 21 in the Red Room. As a result over 20,000 pesos was raised in memory of Cashetta and donated to SETAC. See photos from the moving service at GayPV.mx.

A sold out night full of laughs, garish makeup and straight men parading around in high heels (we have been told for the first time) was held on March 18 on the Act II Main Stage. The event, called "What a Drag," featured local personalities Sean Moore, Karl Griffin, Mark Schneider, Bert Ramirez, Philip Gibbons-Smyth, Conner Watts, Nick Scott, Fast Eddie, and Paul Flippen. This event raised over 400,000 pesos (with virtually no cost) for the Banderas Bay Women's Shelter. "What a Drag" was produced by Ray Vallarta, Jim Lee Events, Freda Thompson, Pat Carey and Vicki Steuteville. Click HERE to see photos of straight men in drag (supposedly) for the first time.

Finally a fun and unique fund raiser was held at Piñata PV Guest House on March 21, 2015. This event, called "In & Out of the Luchador Ring," featured luchador wrestling from Skinny Boys MX and other volunteers. This event raised 16,000 pesos and was dedicated to raising HIV awareness, furthering AIDS education, and launching two new SETAC projects: La Casita and the new Thrift Store.

SETAC director Paco Arjona stated, "We were very pleased to see everyone laughing, cheering, sharing photographs, and socializing. All the buzz on social media about the Luchador event brings about awareness for SETAC's mission and for all to see and hear SETAC is a dedicated Community Center with the goal of educating and providing services for people with HIV/AIDS regardless of gender or race. We thank everyone for sharing their time and donations. It is our goal to be a valued community center."

SETAC is still accepting donations of clothing, furniture, shoes and housewares for their new Thrift Store. Anyone interested in donating should contact SETAC at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

There you have it folks. A fantastic community effort from the LGBT community and friends giving back to Puerto Vallarta.

Original article

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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.