IFC December pg. 1

FROM THE PRESIDENT
Al Ward
Tel:  223-259l (or) 228-0050
Email:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx
FAX:  228-0458

We were all pleasantly surprised to see that so many of our friends had returned in time for the first General Meeting of the 2004-2005 season. Besides seeing your familiar faces, we were especially pleased to see so many new faces and to be introduced to our newest members. We thank you all for choosing to join our ranks and for those of you continuing your support of what we do.
 

Dale Hansen, our esteemed photographer (retired) who we are so privileged to have as a member and who is so willingly always available with his camera to take shots for posterity, was there sharing his slide program with us. For those who haven't arrived yet, or who missed this meeting, he'll have to do it again. Thank you again, Dale.
 

Since our months together at meetings and events here in Puerto Vallarta can be limited, because many of you spend only a short period of time here, you might wish to explore ways to contribute to the success of our current programs. What experiences have you encountered with other charitable groups either in the United States, Canada or elsewhere? What have you observed recently in our community where we, the IFC, might reach out and make even a bigger difference for the less fortunate?
 

A place to start is to present any ideas at the Board of Directors Meeting held monthly a week before the General Meeting. (Of course, you can always contact yours truly at any time. We can also schedule time for you to address the Board.) I invite our members to participate in our decision process by sharing ideas and experiences which we might be able to incorporate into our planning.
 

In order to succeed at what we do best--provide aid to others---we need to continually raise additional revenues. What might you suggest? A successful example was our October 29 "Halloween 'Fun' Fiesta" held for our Children's Medical Program. The idea was conceived by member Cristina Juhas, along with Nancy Owen and Yvonne Ward. The IFC is indebted to Cristina for her devotion to the cause for improving the life of children here, and the gargantuan task she took on to bring the event to fruition. She herself was responsible for obtaining the donations of food, liquor, music (even the decorations, candles, etc., etc.) The location was her unusual and fabulous seaside Villa Mia. A grand time was had by all! (Perhaps she'll offer a repeat performance at sometime in the future.) Our heartfelt thanks to you especially, Cristina, and to everyone else who contributed to the success of this event.
 

I'd like to thank the Spotlight Productions Community Theater for loaning us storage space, at no cost, in their Pitillal bodega for our Cleft Palate Program's medical supplies. With the closing of the old Regional Hospital and opening of their new facility, the IFC was in need of temporary storage space for our supplies until we can procure space at the new Regional Hospital.
 

The IFC's Home Tours will run every Wednesday and Thursday through April 2005, the end of the Tour season. This is a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the life style of our Puerto Vallartans. Let's work at having another highly successful season.

Thank you.

Halloween "Fun" Fiesta