IFC January pg. 2

MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Yvonne Ward
Tel:228-0050FAX:228-0458
Email:yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx
 

Whew! That was a busy year. Now that 2005 has arrived, we have to start the climb again from square one. This'll give us a chance to repair some fences and lay plans for perhaps better and more effective strategies. Our goal should be to grow, prosper and spread the good things to those here awaiting our assistance. Yes, we will always be there for them. Agreed? Happy New Year, 2005!
 

There is a list building up of small tasks that aren't very time consuming but lend themselves to the achievement of some big projects. It only takes willingness and determination and the word "yes" when asked to participate. Working behind the scenes is also rewarding when you see what your efforts have brought to fruition. Come out with some of the worker bees to see what you are supporting. No matter what you can offer, you'll meet other members and more than likely gain new friends. So, let's get going!
 

And WHOOPEE...Say hello to these NEW MEMBERS! How great to have you among us. Thank you for your interest in what we do here in the Puerto Vallarta community.

Here are our latest recruits spending some of their time in greeting and meeting endeavors. (L) Our cheerful assistants devoting some of their time weekly assisting at the clubhouse: Monday and Friday, Mandy MacLeay, Tuesday, Sonny Hendrickson, Wednesday, Wendy White, and Thursday, Vicky Mason. (2) We now have a Membership Desk at the Home Tours which is manned on Wednesday by Art Horrox, and on Thursday, by Susan Garner. Thank you all for the wonderful support system you are providing.

lST AID CLASSES: Perhaps there are some of you that still haven't been trained in the art of the simple emergency aid that can be life-saving. Our Medical Education Chair, Pamela Thompson, will set up a class if she has enough students. You can contact her at her office (Tel: 226-1014, or email: pmt15@prodigy.net.mx). Cost per person: $200 pesos for a 5-hour class.

JANUARY 7 (Friday)--Luncheon/Fashion Show (gentlemen are welcome)--FUND RAISER to benefit the Busca un Amigo Day-Care Center for the physically and mentally handicapped children. The tickets are $200 pesos and are available at the clubhouse. Place: El Set (seaside) Restaurant from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. It should prove to be a very pleasant afternoon. (See our Calendar for other IFC events.)

RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP TIME IS HERE: January 2005-2006 (any checks should be made out in our Mexican name--Club Internacional de la Amistad--a bank requirement. Singles: $330 P; Couples: $550 P (Canadian and US DOLLARS should be based on the current exchange rate.)

SUGGESTION BOX: Do you have an idea for us to explore--anything of interest to you might be most worthy to share. Please contact me or President Al Ward. We'd like to hear from you.

Don't forget to review our Restaurant list, the Wish List and Local Services. Please also take a copy of the Restaurant Letter with you and sign up a new one to add to the list.

Thank you all again.

Hasta que nos veamos (until we meet again)
 

TOYS FOR TOTS
Jerry Lafferty
Tel: 221-6156
Email: laffja@aol.com

The 6th annual Toys for Tots fundraiser this past week generated in excess of $375,000 pesos, a 15% increase over last year's record amount. This means we'll be distributing 7,000 toys on Three Kings Day, up from 6,000 last year, generating 1,000 more smiles on the faces of the less privileged kids in our area during the holiday season.

Participation in the golf scramble at Vista Vallarta, and the gala dinner that followed at the Marriott, was up considerably due in part to good PR from the prior year and the promise of a top dance band at the dinner. No one was disappointed, and all that was heard were praises for the entire day. But it's the kids who will benefit the most, and for that we're most appreciative to our many sponsors and supporters.

We thank ClubCorp for the free use of their Vista Weiskopf course, Marriott for picking up the total tab of the dinner including drinks and wine for almost 300 people, Coldwell Banker/La Costa Real Estate for paying for the dance band and buying t-shirts and caps for 200 toy distributors, Continental Airlines for donating 4 roundtrip tickets to any destination in North and South America and the Caribbean, TaylorMade and Championship Golf who donated 10 hi-tech golf clubs for auction, Barcelona Tapas who donated a paella luncheon for 40 people, and Vallarta Online for collecting many toys brought in by tourists. And of course, we have to thank our support organizations, including IFC, the Navy League, and the U.S. Consular Agency. And finally, we thank everyone who bought tickets and participated in the day's festivities, and the more than 50 individuals, restaurants, and other businesses who donated to our silent auction and door prizes.

Toys will be distributed throughout the Bahia on January 6. IFC will be manning a route, as will the Navy League. Please contact Al Ward or Jerry Lafferty if you'd like to reserve a spot on this fun and heart warming mission.