Email: mjellis@prodigy.net.mx

As the “Season” comes to a close our committee members, and all of those working in the organizations to which we provide support, have been busy completing projects initiated in the winter.

Many of the kindergarten and primary school projects had been on hold over the winter as our working partners in the City Education Department experienced a changing of the guard and as we awaited indications of the success of the Club Hometours that provide so much of our funding. In January, on behalf of the Club, we thanked the outgoing chief, Professor Ariel Romero, for giving us the opportunity to participate in many of the new and innovative programs he initiated during his three-year term. We look forward to working with his successor, Licenciado José de Jesús Quintanar and his new team. We will be working with our Community partners in a quickly changing environment wherein the three levels of Government have recently increased education funding and, at the same time, renewed and re-emphasized the need for continuing Community involvement in education projects.

On a personal note, in December both Tom Wichie and I received “Reconocimientos” from the Department of Education for our past community service and contributions to the schools of Vallarta.

Recent events: Over the years the Club has contributed significant funding to the Library. In addition to IFC project funding, the Library is supported by the participation of three very active Club members on the Comité de Pro Biblioteca – Anne Barnhill, Ron Walker and myself.

With many IFC members on hand on February 2, Vice Mayor Guzman and Public Library President Professor Carlos Munguía unveiled at the Library entrance the superb sculpture “Un niño… un libro… Un futuro…” by Ramis Barquet and at the same time held a raffle and art auction raising 28 thousand pesos for daily operating expenses.

IFC members, Aaron and Ruth Miller of Ottawa Canada, arranged for transport and delivery of a complete set of “How to” books illustrating most handicrafts known to mankind that were donated by the Ottawa Public Library.

On February 16, the Secretary of State of Jalisco cut the ribbon on the Library’s exciting new Mediateca “Virtual Reality” center that includes 14 new computers (28 work stations) and 150 CD’s of, amongst other things, the museums of the world at a capital cost of $US50 thousand that was donated by the state and the city governments as part of a statewide program. María José Zorrilla, Library Vice-President and City Cultural Director, announced the City had increased support from 10 thousand to 30 thousand pesos a month (two thirds of the daily operating costs) and that future fund raising will be directed not only at covering the balance of operating costs but for capital projects and for a new book procurement program.

The IFC funded cafeteria and bookstore will open in early

April, at a cost of 18 thousand pesos.

By popular demand the Library is holding it’s second annual Casino Night fund-raiser at the Sheraton Hotel (which has generously donated a ballroom) at 9:00 on April 21, 2001. Entrance tickets are 150 pesos each. If you’re still in Vallarta, this should be a blast. Tickets can be purchased at the door or you can call me at the number above.

The Library Comité and new Director Ricardo Murrieta have asked me to convey their appreciation for the IFC’s ongoing support and to extend an open invitation to visit the Library which is located at 1001 Francisco Villa in Colonia Los Mangos, telephone 224 9966. The new Mediateca Center alone is well worth the visit.

On March 3 Gale Hankel presented a 30 thousand-peso cheque to the Comité de Becas Vallarta scholarship fund at their annual dinner-dance that was, as usual, attended by many of our Club members. For the “Becas”, it was their most successful fund-raiser ever, raising US$34 thousand. However, they have asked me to remind you that this represents only 40% of the funds required to support their students continuing their studies in the coming year. They have expressed their heartfelt appreciation not only for the Club donation (which is in addition to the dinner dance proceeds) but also for the much valued direct support received from many IFC members for its Sponsor-a-Student and many other programs.

The Club Adopt-a-School program, under the joint stewardship of Richard Dobbeck and Cheryl Vaughn is, as I write this, nearing completion with the purchase of 48 thousand pesos of classroom supplies for the economically deprived Kindergartens and Primary schools of Boca de Tomatlán, 12 de Octubre, El Progreso, Magisterio, San Esteban and Constitución. Our thanks to Sheri Alter, Dawn & Brian Blevings, Cathy & Wayne Traub, Al & Yvonne Ward, Judy Galeana, Dick Dobbeck and Cheryl Vaughn for their time and efforts working with the teachers and directors of each school. We hope to see you all next year.

On March 27, Tom Wichie organized and conducted a membership bus tour on behalf of the Steering Committee and Education Chairman to the Regional Hospital, the schools of Amado Nervo, the primary school and Kindergarten in La Cruz as well as the new Regional Handicap Vocational Training facility. While all 27 members onboard were appreciative of the opportunity of seeing how our funds are being invested in the community, they were more than pleasantly surprised by the marked physical improvements at the Regional Hospital. Comments like “on a par with CMQ and Medasist” were overheard several times. At the schools, as always, the noticeable improvements are great but the joy and happiness on the faces of the children reminded us all why we work so hard to raise money for the benefit of the Community – our Community. Meeting the inspirational quadriplegic Ivan Applegate at his beloved new center, and hearing about how he is so enthusiastically working with the new City administration to make 60% of the Centro area handicap accessible during their 3-year term of office brought a few tears to the eyes. A great day. Another great job Tom! 

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