Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Here in Puerto Vallarta, we are fortunate to have a wealth of wonderful people who are known for going out of their way to help others. The inherent warmth, hospitality, and most importantly, friendly attitude of the local people is just as inviting as the town's incredible natural beauty.

On any given day, an extraordinary number of hidden heroes are busy helping, caring and giving a hand to those less fortunate. Whether they be our neighbors or just a random young man crossing the street, whenever an opportunity presents itself, these ordinary citizens are doing something marvelous for someone else.

One such citizen is Elisa Cornejo Cornejo, but unlike so many others, she has been recognized for her selfless work in providing a safe haven for Vallarta's most vulnerable children. She has been chosen as the 2015 Adulto Mayor Distinguido (Distinguished Elder) for the North Coast Region, and will represent the Banderas Bay region at an awards ceremony to be held on August 27 at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara.

In 1993, with the support of Máximo Cornejo, a long-time promoter of tourism in Puerto Vallarta, Sra. Cornejo founded Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz A.C., an orphanage near the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which to date has housed more than 300 children up to the age of seventeen. Some of these kids needed special treatment, others psychological treatment, but all of them were in need of the love and support that comes so naturally to Sra Cornejo.

The honoree overcame the difficulties, lack of support and closed doors that come with such an ambitious undertaking, and managed to transform the idea of a shelter into a family home where there are no distinctions, no preferences... a place where values are taught, and every child is given the opportunity to grow and flourish in normal society.

Elisa is not alone. She has an excellent team that supports her, including her daughter Alejandra, her friend Aurora Arredondo, who acts as the shelter's Head Mistress; and a handful of volunteers who all do their best to make the orphanage feel like home.

Everyone here at BanderasNews.com would like to congratulate Elisa Cornejo Cornejo, not only for this important recognition, but also for making the sun shine a little brighter for these unfortunate children.