 |
|
|
 Vallarta Living | Community Services 
Becas Vallarta - America-Mexico Foundation
 Changing Lives Through EducationVer la información en español AQUÍ
Even though most everyone agrees that education is the key to living a productive and satisfying life and that it should be available to every child, that is not always the case for Puerto Vallarta kids.
Many come from single parent homes, homes with five, six or more children or homes where the breadwinner makes only enough to provide the very basics of life. Those circumstances make it impossible for the children, no matter how bright and eager to learn, to continue their education past the mandated junior high.
That is where Becas Vallarta, A.C. and the America-Mexico Foundation, Inc. come in. Together they have sponsored thousands of young Vallartenses through junior high, high school, university and even medical school.
Becas Vallarta, A.C. is a non-profit, tax-deductible Mexican foundation charged with fund raising and administering the scholarships program for students in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The America-Mexico Foundation, Inc., founded in 1961, is a non-profit USA tax deductible foundation (under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code) that donates all funds raised to finance those scholarships.
 These two non-profit organizations have as their only purpose raising funds to provide scholarships for as many Puerto Vallarta students as possible. Working with no office, no telephone, no computers or copiers, these organizations manage to meet the budget of over $100,000 USD each year. All of this is done by volunteers - Mexican, Canadian and American - working in harmony to make Puerto Vallarta, and yes the world, a better place by having an educated populace.
To learn more, volunteer or make a tax deductible donation, visit AmericaMexicoFoundation.com or BecasVallarta.com, call Polly Vicars at 011-52-322-223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285, or send an email to becasvallarta(at)gmail.com.
Para ver la información en Español, haz click AQUÍ.
 Early Birds Have All The Fun!
 Polly G. Vicars
On November 18th, one hundred and fifty Vallartenses and visitors gathered at La Palapa Restaurant on Los Muertos Beach for the first Becas Breakfast of the season, raising enough money for 22 junior high or 6 senior high or five university becados to have their scholarships paid for another year!
A New Meaning for 'Round Up'
 Polly G. Vicars
The words "Round Up" bring visions of cowboys racing on horseback to keep the cattle moving in the right direction. But a new vision now appears in our minds when we hear those words - it is of centavos piling up to fund the education of hundreds of Becas Vallarta’s bright young Vallartenses.
OXXO Helping to Make Dreams Come True
 Polly G. Vicars
Becas Vallarta was chosen to be the recipients of OXXO's 'rounding up' program for August, September and October. The proceeds from the three months of redondear amounted to enough money to pay for a year's scholarship for 23 university students or 29 high school students or 100 Jr high students.
La Palapa to Open Becas Vallarta’s Season
 Polly G. Vicars
The first Becas Breakfast of the season will be held at La Palapa Restaurant on Los Muertos Beach at 9:30 am on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at the same low price as last year, $150 pesos per person.
Becas Vallarta Making Dreams Come True
 Polly G. Vicars
An August weekend of meeting with more than 300 scholarship students for the 2009-10 school year left me and my fellow Becas members literally feeling like a million dollars. Today I want you to meet a few of those young Becas Vallarta scholars who are currently in Puerto Vallarta schools.
Becas Ball Prize — An Incomparable and Safe Trip to Michoacán
 Polly G. Vicars
Despite the unwarranted warnings by the U.S. State Department, CNN and U.S. television channels of dangers when traveling to the Mexican state of Michoacan, Husband and I, along with Carl and Irene Johnson, put final touches on our long planned trip to Patzcuaro in Michoacan.
A Weekend of Feeling Like a Million Dollars
 Polly G. Vicars
Bernice Starr would've been ecstatic this past Saturday and Sunday when the all-volunteer cadre of Becas Vallarta members met with the more than 300 bright young Vallartenses of great ability and small economic resources who gathered at Los Mangos to receive their semester stipends.
Keep the Change! Tiendas OXXO Helping Vallarta Charities
 Polly G. Vicars
Last week Becas Vallarta President Mariel de Fregoso and I attended an event at the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, where Mother Mary and the children received a check for $216,653.20 pesos, representing three months of 'rounding up' in Tiendas OXXO in the Puerto Vallarta area.
Becas Vallarta Counting on Big Numbers
 Polly G. Vicars
You've probably seen Chris Matthews' feature 'The Big Number' on MSNBC’s Hardball. Here in Puerto Vallarta the Big Number is the 1000's of students of scarce economic resources whom the Becas Vallarta foundation has helped to get the education they desire and deserve since the 1960's.
After The Ball is Over
 Polly G. Vicars
The hard working members and friends of Becas Vallarta want to express their sincere gratitude to all who helped make the 2009 Becas Crystal Ball the success that it was. In every sense of the word, it was the most successful Becas Ball ever.
Important Becas Vallarta Announcements
 Polly G. Vicars
Important announcements from Becas Vallarta and the America-Mexico Foundation, two Puerto Vallarta non-profit organizations that have sponsored thousands of young Vallartenses through junior high, high school, university and even medical school.
Becas Crystal Ball a Great Night for All
 Polly G. Vicars
A great time was had by all at the 2009 Becas Crystal Ball! Thanks to a lot of hard work, generous donations by local businesses and the community's support, Puerto Vallarta scholarship students will be assured of having their lives changed through education.
Becas Crystal Ball Sold Out!
 Polly G. Vicars
While the patrons are having the time of their lives at the March 5th Crystal Ball, Puerto Vallarta scholarship students will be assured of having their lives changed through education thanks to the support of Becas Vallarta/America-Mexico Foundation.
len's life: Becas, Glamour, Handsome... What Don't You Get?
 Len
How often do you have the chance to really dress up to the nines in the balmy winters of Vallarta? The Becas Ball is Puerto Vallarta's most elegant and grand social event of the entire winter season, falling on Thursday, March 5th this year.
A Day of Love and Friendship
Polly G. Vicars
February 14 was a day of unparalleled love and friendship as Becas President Mariel de Fregoso, her mother Carla, Ana Caty Fenyvessi, Buri Gray, Linda Wirth and I met, one on one, with each of the Becas high school and university students at Los Mangos Library.
Becas Vallarta Valentine Benefit Concert Under the Stars
 Cecile Scriban & Polly Vicars
After enjoying a brilliant sunset, a large and appreciative audience was treated to a magical outdoor musical soiree during the Becas Vallarta Valentine Classical Concert at the Westin Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta on February 6th.
BECAS Sent Me
 Polly G. Vicars
Almost daily I experience the generosity of our community as an advocate for Becas Vallarta, the foundation that funds the education of hundreds of Vallarta's best and brightest young people with great ability and little economic resources.
Getting a Bang for Your Bucks
 Polly G. Vicars
Becas Vallarta has an abundance of events planned over the next few weeks that not only promise to be lots of fun, but will also help 300 bright, yet economically challenged, Puerto Vallarta students stay in school for another year.
Becas Vallarta Enlivens Ball With len
 PVNN
The Board of Directors of Becas Vallarta A.C. has decided to liven up this year's Becas Crystal Ball, scheduled to take place on March 5. They have invited the famous or infamous len - depending on your point of view - to be the emcee for the ball.
A Fulfilling Breakfast at El Dorado
 Polly G. Vicars
Breakfast will be the most important meal of the day on Wednesday, February 11th at El Dorado Restaurant on Los Muertos Beach. At 9:30 am, Vallarta's favorite beach restaurant will be hosting the 4th Becas Breakfast of the season.
Painting Workshop Exhibition to Benefit Becas Vallarta, A.C.
 Mary Ellis - PVNN
Director Lucille Shipley and her workshop participants are having their annual workshop exhibition on Saturday & Sunday February 14th & 15th 2-6 pm at the workshop studio on Calle Zaragoza #414 (next door to the Casa Kimberley pink bridge.)
Becas Vallarta Benefit Concert
 PVNN
The Becas Vallarta Valentine Benefit Concert Under the Stars, scheduled to take place at the Westin Resort on February 6th, offers couples the opportunity to celebrate their love at a romantic outdoor concert on the edge of Banderas Bay.
¿Qué Tal, Compadre?
 Polly G. Vicars
One year ago we at Becas Vallarta tried to enlarge our financial base by appealing to people of means who believe, as we do, that education is the key to the success of individuals, cities, states and even countries. Thus, Becas Compadres was born.
Becas Breakfast at Daiquiri Dick's
 PVNN
You can help bright young Puerto Vallarta girls and boys realize their dreams of an education by attending the Becas Breakfast at Daiquiri Dick's Restaurant, Olas Altas #314 on Los Muertos Beach this Wednesday, January 14 at 9:30 am.
Becas Not Letting the Economy Get Us Down
 Polly G. Vicars
Several friends of mine have asked whether this economic downturn is making it difficult to raise Becas Vallarta scholarship funds. I am happy to report that the opposite is true; our almost 50 year old foundation not only survives, but thrives.
Becados and Bambinos, My Passions
 Polly G. Vicars
Since retiring to Puerto Vallarta, Husband and I have found our two passions, Becados and Bambinos. I invite all of you to join Husband and me in our joy working with Becas Vallarta and supporting Los Bambinos in their quest for the big time.
Record Breaking Becas Breakfast
 Polly G. Vicars
One hundred and forty-nine Becas supporters enjoyed breakfast at the River Cafe on December 10th, breaking the record 132 breakfasts served at the first Becas Breakfast of this season, held at Coco's Kitchen - BarrioSur on November 12th.
Becas Posada - A Joyful Event!
 Mary Megin de Franco
Many Becas members and friends met at the Los Mangos Library in the mid-afternoon of December 6 to prepare for the Posada that would honor the 250+ scholarship students (Becados) of Becas Vallarta A.C.
The River Café to Host December Becas Breakfast
 Polly G. Vicars
Evangelina Sánchez and her husband Margarito Larios, proprietors of the beautiful River Café, located on the Río Cuale Island in downtown Vallarta, are hosting the second Becas Breakfast of the season on Wednesday, December 10 beginning at 9:30 am.
Not Too Many Cooks in Coco's Kitchen
 Polly G. Vicars
Close to 150 hungry Vallartenses came out to enjoy Coco's delicious breakfast and to support Becas nearly 300 scholarship students at the first Becas Breakfast of the season, which took place at Coco's Kitchen - Barrio Sur on November 12, 2008.
Tales of 'Prepa' - Vallarta's College Preparatory High School
 Polly G. Vicars
Recently a group of members of the America-Mexico Foundation and Becas Vallarta, two local scholarship programs, journeyed to El Pitillal to tour the new campus for 'Prepa,' a college preparatory high school run by the University of Guadalajara.
Vallarta Magic: It's For Real and It's The People!
 Polly G. Vicars
Those of you who have read my books and articles in the local press, know that I truly believe that there is something magical about this paradise by the sea. But you may ask, "Is it truly magical? and if so, what is the source of this magic?"
Changing Lives Through Education
 Polly G. Vicars
When we sent out a plea for a slogan for Becas Vallarta, not surprisingly, longtime members and supporters Buri and Peter Gray came forth with the best one: "Change lives through Education."
Fund Raisers, Fiestas and Fantastic People Succeed
 Polly G. Vicars
Thanks to those in our communtiy who continue to give their time and money, and local businesses who donate prizes for our fundraisers, many a Vallarta student has renewed hope for a brighter future with financial help from Becas Vallarta.
Becas Breakfast at Boca Bento on Basilio Badillo
 Polly G. Vicars
David Leterman's Top Ten Lists always give me a good chuckle, so in trying to write an article to remind everyone about the April 1st final Becas Breakfast of the 2008 Season, I thought I would make my own Top Ten...
After the Ball is Over
 Polly G. Vicars
Becas Vallarta members are still glowing from the complimentary feedback from those who attended the 2008 Becas Ball on March 6th. But there's no time to bask in past successes - raising money to support Vallarta students is a year-round effort!
Becas Proves Do-Gooders DO Have More Fun
 Polly G. Vicars
Having fun while doing good, a fantastic combination that was afforded to the three hundred glamorous and generous Vallartenses who attended the 2008 Becas Ball at the fabulous Hotel Westin Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta on March 6th.
Fantastic! Incredible! Exceptional! Superb! Premium!
 Polly G. Vicars
The fourth and latest Becas Breakfast on February 26th at Le Bistro was once again a sold-out event. when writing about each breakfast, I try to come up with a title that invokes my feelings about the event, But I am running out of superlatives!
¿Qué Tal, Compadre?
 Polly G. Vicars
Becas Vallarta A.C. recently initiated a program where a donation of at least $5000 USD would make the donor a "Compadre of Becas," a person to whom we would entrust the welfare of our children now and in the future. And it's already working!
Becas Ball 2008 - Fantasía by the Sea
 Polly G. Vicars
Polish your dancing shoes, get out your best bib and tucker and get ready for a "fantasía" evening of dining and dancing at the 46th Annual Becas Ball, scheduled to take place at the Hotel Westin Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta on March 6th.
Bouquets to the People of Vallarta!
 Polly G. Vicars
It would take a book to chronicle the generous Becas' members, friends and supporters who have made Becas Vallarta the incredible entity it is, but today I throw a few bouquets to some people who truly "made a difference" at the last Becas Breakfast.
How to Fill Your Spirit and Your Stomach and Make the World a Better Place
 Polly G. Vicars
There are "how to" books on everything from "How to Lose 10 pounds in 10 days" to "How to Become an Overnight Millionaire" and probably most don't really work. But I guarantee this "How to" and it will be 'Oh So Easy!'
|
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us