Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Red Cross in Puerto Vallarta (Cruz Roja PV or RCPV) needs us and we need the Red Cross now! RCPV is undergoing major changes, renewing administration personnel and making a fresh new start to become as large and important as it once was, and should always be, for everyone living in the Banderas Bay area.

Donation from the 41/a Zona Naval Militar in PV

For the past few years, the PV Red Cross has been in a dormant state as most of the administrative personnel and operating funds have been decreased to a minimum. As the Red Cross runs only on donations here in Puerto Vallarta, their work has narrowed down to the bare minimum with maintenance, salaries and general expenses nearly coming to a halt.

The hospital and the ambulances are deteriorated and barely functional with little equipment; many volunteers have to buy their own uniforms, since there are none in stock to provide for the personnel; the roof in the building is in bad shape and requires some work, ideally before the rainy season REALLY begins; walls need paint, the electrical system needs to be changed and improved; and the surgery room is not being used due to the lack of the right conditions in that area, such as doors, A/C, etc.

The ambulances require constant maintenance and minimum requirements are not being met due to a lack of funds or in kind donations.

Salaries are a main concern, as most RCPV personnel earn less money than any waiter or tourist host here in Puerto Vallarta.

The President of the Red Cross, CP Uriel Almaraz, has invited a highly motivated team of professionals to help raise funds and manage international public relations in an effort to gather enough funds to provide free professional and fully complete rescue and emergency service for the people of Puerto Vallarta / Bahia de Banderas and surrounding areas. They are also establishing new internal politics and making all of the necessary changes to proudly become the PV Red Cross again.

The PV Red Cross needs your help to be able to achieve all of this and better serve Puerto Vallarta, so please donate!

The international PR and fund raising team will change the way you see your donation to the RCPV. From now on, everyone who donates will be recognized on social media, so please "like" Cruz Roja Puerto Vallarta on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter, where they will be posting many pictures of donations received and where all the money is going.

They also invite everyone who is interested in seeing firsthand what the Red Cross gets done, how it gets done and under what conditions, to visit the Puerto Vallarta Cruz Roja facilities. The idea is to help the Red Cross in their efforts to provide the best service with the best equipment and under the best conditions possible. Right now they are doing what they can with what little they have, as the RCPV, together with the PV Fire Department (Bomberos) take care of most all people in emergency situations in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding communities.

How You Can Help

Current needs include: operating funds for building maintenance, equipment, supplies, ambulance fuel and maintenance, staff salaries, and volunteers. Monetary donation can be deposited at Bancomer #0480780170, or made directly at the Cruz Roja central offices in Puerto Vallarta, Rio de la Plata s/n, between Rio Balsas and the Libramiento in Colonia 5 de diciembre, where you can also make in kind donations. You can also call (322) 222-1533, 223-4305, or email ariel(at)globalvolunteerprojects.org and they will come to your home or place of business to pick up your contributions.