Amigos de la Cruz does much for many.
When friends get together to make a difference, lives are changed for the better. Today I thank the people of Amigos de La Cruz. There were two beginnings that merged to become the organization it is now.
APERCH, the predecessor to Amigos de La Cruz, had its beginning in 2003 when the new highway to Punta de Mita was built. Unexpectedly, La Cruz was left with an embankment and no entry into town! Some residents and small business owners of La Cruz got together and petitioned the Municipal President for:
- Construction of a town entrance
- Protection of the Huanacaxtle trees
- More frequent garbage removal
- Investigation of the effectiveness of the sewage treatment plant
- Improved communications through the Delagado (town delegate)
Their efforts were successful and La Cruz now welcomes visitors to town with views of the Glorieta and the sparkling waters of the Banderas Bay. Encouraged, they continued working to improve garbage collection, street cleaning and communication with government officials. The group is now known as Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, A.C. In 2014 Amigos received the status of Asociación Civil or Mexican non-profit corporation. In 2015, Amigos received their Donatario status as a Mexican tax-deductible charity.
The medical program was originally called ‘The Friendship Club’ with its sole mission to provide medical support to the needy of our community by paying for medical expenses and medicine. Founded in 2005 by Kathleen Dobek and Philo Hayward to raise funds to buy hearing aids for a profoundly deaf little girl. After that goal was met, others came to us for help, and through the years, they have spent thousands of pesos helping hundreds of people.
The good works of the many people of Amigos de La Cruz continue to impress me. They are passionate, committed and fun. I’ve asked them what inspired them to join and do all they do.
David Hibbard; President
Several years ago, my friends Alden and Mimi visited my home here in La Cruz. They had introduced me to Puerto Vallarta back in the middle of the 80’s. Alden was lazily floating around the pool as I slithered in and out, nipping a branch in my garden here, and adjusting something there. “David”, Alden called, “it’s alright to do nothing”. That is not what I’m made of, and at that moment realized that my life here in Mexico needed to be fulfilled with committees, events and volunteerism as the life I have in Wisconsin.
Fast forward a few years, occasionally attending Amigos meetings assessing the organization, understanding its purpose, and making small inputs. Then it happened… I was asked to serve on the board of a new model Amigos de La Cruz. With the full credentials of a registered AC, the mission was similar to the past, but the bar seemed to be raised higher in terms of contribution to our community.
Now as President, the bar keeps rising higher and higher. I’m privileged to be surrounded by some of the most competent and giving people I have ever known. We have a respect and friendship that “busy people” love and appreciate. The challenges of planning and executing events, developing a Kids Club, sponsoring a summer school program, hosting a team of dentists to provide care to our grade school children, carry out a very successful plastic recycle program, beautifying the main streets of La Cruz are all parts of the mission of Amigos de La Cruz. If you are interested in a fun ride while making a difference, Amigos is the place to be. That’s why I’m an Amigos.
Patricia Spencer; Vice President
This question has made me think a lot about my work with Amigos de la Cruz. The transition to retirement was not an easy one for me, as I feel compelled to have a purpose to my life. I also believe that humans are wired to help one another, we need to make our little corner of the world a better place for those less fortunate by using the gifts we have. Volunteering with Amigos, whether it is producing a fundraiser or directing a play, or just having fun makes me a happier human being… I have a purpose, and together we help our community. It’s all good, please join us this season.
Amy Welch; Secretary/Treasurer & Communications
Humble Amy doesn’t brag about all she does for Amigos, instead she shares the good of others. Before you read that info I must say, Amy is amazing, forever inspiring others, collecting donation items for fundraisers, updating the newsletter, communicating with all who need to be informed and so much more.
Meeting new and interesting people from different walks of life is fulfilling, interesting and at the same time, we’re working together to provide support to our community. In risk of only mentioning a few of the wonderful people in La Cruz, I run a risk of leaving out valuable members of our community – whether or not they consider themselves a part of Amigos de La Cruz. Please don’t be too harsh if I’ve left you out of the list below.
We come to La Cruz with our own backstory and start all over again. Meeting people like Lina Bureau, a Quebecois with a background in manufacturing, wholesale and retail linens is a world in itself. And now she’s here in La Cruz working with others to volunteer her services to collect the plastic for recycling and working with the landscape crew to provide a more welcoming appearance to our streets and village. Then there’s the effervescent recently retired teacher Carmen Tapia who comes from Hermosillo and Tucson, lending her skills to the Kids Club to help struggling first and second grade students in reading and writing Spanish. Carmen also works with volunteers to provide classes to children and adults in English, science and other topics; she works with a second grade blind child Emma; assists with the medical program; and a host of other areas. Shawna O’Neal, Alaska Airlines, Kim-Scott Edwards, James Gordon and Norma Kafer are among those helping to support Emma as well. Patricia Spencer, a retired Nova Scotia/Alberta attorney, is passionate about community theater – from picking out plays, negotiating contracts, creating sets and designing costumes, to selling tickets and the minutiae involved in production. She is capably assisted by a large group including Becky Grewer and a retinue of actors, set designers, ticket sellers, and the like. David Hibbard – who bring his leadership as president to Amigos; and his engineering techie skills in working with the sound system for plays and the like.
And don’t forget Fiona McNicol Clark and Dave Clark transplants from Vancouver, BC – who work with the primary children, teaching English. And along the way they and their friends have refreshed a classroom by adding a tile floor, air conditioning and given the children books, puzzles, games, carpets and their friendship.
The Society of LDS Dentists are coming again to the Bay, I think this is their 14th year of providing free services to the primary children. The Kids Club will be the site of their weeklong service in January. More great people who bring along a staff and assisted by Dr Adrian Malja of Bucerias.
Speaking of medical, we are indebted to Dr Rafael Ipina, who helps our community in need. Dr Ipina says that his contribution is but a small drop of help to the larger effort.
I think that we all feel we are adding a small drop of help. Together we can make a difference. I know I’ve left out others – here’s a quick note:
Berenice Uribe and her husband Javier – who help us navigate the political landscape.
Mayra Franco and husband Jason – who helped so much with summer school for the past two years plus Jason is helping David with the sound system.
Our silent benefactor from Canada and La Cruz – who have donated the Kids Club for one year; fingers crossed we can use this great facility a bit longer – visit the Kids Club at Coral 5, off Langosta and the glorieta.
Shirley McGrath – who provided great leadership in organizing the dental clinic, and now mentoring the next generation to lead.
Wilma Kuntz and Dave Albert – who have recently come on board to work with Volunteers (Wilma) and fundraising (Dave).
Cynthia del Pino – who has helped with the Altruism Festival for the past two years.
Sandi Nelsen and Marilyn DiDuca – who come up with fundraising campaigns to assist children.
And then there’s SH, who wishes to be anonymous, but continues to assist two girls with their severe dental problems.
This is why we do what we do – in service of others that touch our hearts and minds, and stir our souls.
Joanna Varvos; Director & Membership Chair
My husband Cam and I had been wintering in La Cruz for several years, making the annual trek north for summer then escaping south before the first snowfall. We quickly concluded that we are not multiple residence folks, preferring one home in one location. And really, was there even a choice? We had fallen in love with the quiet friendly fishing village of La Cruz Huanacaxtle and set down our roots here. Soon enough we discovered that our lovely village and its amiable residents faced many issues which citizens in our northern home take for granted; such as schools with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate toileting facilities, a dearth of learning materials such as books, scholastic materials for both students and teachers, even such basics as crayons and pencils. And then there are the families who cannot afford medical care for needed drugs or life-saving surgeries. We discovered the dedicated group called Amigos de la Cruz who commit much time and effort to assist with these issues and many more; street clean up and landscaping keep our main streets fresh and tidy, plastic recycling resulting in mountains of plastic bottles being kept from littering our town, a wonderful Kids Klub provides not only reading and writing reinforcement but also lots of fun and games that these children would never otherwise get to enjoy. I am a proud member of the Board of Directors of Amigos de la Cruz. We are always looking for more members and volunteers, and we would be very happy and would welcome hearing from YOU!!!
What Joanna enjoy’s most; manning the Sunday market, such a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and promote our Amigos organization.
To learn more out about Amigos de La Cruz, contact us with questions or find out about volunteer opportunities visit us at the La Cruz Sunday market where our friendly coterie man a table. Stop by for a chat, where you can satisfy your curiosity about our activities, sign up to receive our email newsletter which is full of information not just about the Amigos but also showcases interesting events in and around our community. We would love to see you with a warm welcome, so please come by, we look forward to meeting you!
Lina Bureau; Environmental Chair
I don’t know why I do it ha ha… I guess for the Love I have for La Cruz. After 4 years it as become a must a normal thing to do just like sweeping my yard every morning and for all the smiles I get on Monday morning when I collect containers full of plastic. The thank you’s from all my Mexican friends and the willingness they have now to keep our town clean and recycle keeps me committed. I feel I am now a part of La Cruz family. Read more about Lina’s good works here.
Carmen Tapia; Chair of education and medical
I’m proud to be a member of an association focused on community service like Amigos De la Cruz. We all share the common goal of improving the environment and people’s lives. I’m a strong advocate of fulfilling children’s educational needs and Amigos de La Cruz make good things happen for the children in the community. Read more about Carmen’s good works here.
The Black & White Masked Gala was a Night to Remember! Check out the photos here.
To know more about La Cruz, read this.
For all info on the good works of Amigos de La Cruz; http://www.amigoslacruz.org/
