Giving Back in Puerto Vallarta
Tue. 4th/Jul/2017.
The friendly, community minded nature of most local residents means a dedicated focus on charity and goodwill efforts in Puerto Vallarta. Through these initiatives, visitors can enjoy a more rewarding stay in the area by getting involved, and some of these programs even offer unique opportunities and experiences as well as the lasting satisfaction of helping those most in need.
The Purr Project
Cat lovers will be quick to join the efforts of the Purr Project as they work to bolster the resources available to the area's furry feline friends. One of the most anticipated aspects of this pet promotion program is the Purr Project Ranch Tour, which offers visits to the cat ranch in deluxe, air conditioned vans every other Wednesday for a fee of 300 pesos.
During this special tour, guests will be introduced to each of the nearly 200 cats at the no-kill shelter, and every peso of the proceeds goes directly to providing medical care and upkeep to these rescued kitties. There's even a well-reviewed street taco stand near the ranch, so hungry visitors can also enjoy a tasty snack before returning to town at about 1:30.
IFC Home Tours
The International Friendship Club is another organization that is very active in the local community, and one of their most popular programs is their series of home tours. This three hour tour of Puerto Vallarta's most fabulous and fascinating homes is led by a pair of local historians who can answer any of your question about these spectacular dwellings.
Visitors can also enjoy stunning views from these homes as well as experiencing priceless artwork, and all profits from the home tour are distributed to local programs aimed at improving the quality of live for the city's many underprivileged residents. Be sure to wear a pair of comfortable shoes, as the tour involves some hills and many cobblestone streets.
DIF Toy Drive
In Mexican culture, the holiday season extends through the month of December all the way up to Three Kings' Day, the January 6 commemoration of the biblical Three Wise Men and their visit to the Nativity scene. This is the biggest gift giving holiday of the year, particularly for small children, and the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) is working to ensure all of Puerto Vallarta's kids find joy in their shoes this year through their annual toy drive.
This year contributors droped off toys from 8:00am to 2:00pm at the DIF offices in Puerto Vallarta's 5 de Deciembre neighborhood. The deadline for donations was January 3, 2017, and the toys were delivered to the community on the first Saturday after Three Kings' Day when 30 teams of employees and volunteers fan out into the streets of the city delivering the toys to children in the area. The program focuses on small gifts, but these donations can bring a big smile to the face of a disadvantaged child in the area.
Trash Cleanup
Keeping the streets of the city beautiful is very high on the priority list of area residents as well as local government. Puerto Vallarta is taking a renewed focus on cleanliness as 2017 goes on, including through the purchase of several new garbage trucks and the hiring of dozens of drivers and crew citywide. This initiative ensures that all the city's refuse is picked up on a regular basis, and create a cleaner Puerto Vallarta for both residents and visitors. You can do your part by placing your trash in clearly labeled receptacles, recycling whenever possible, and taking a small plastic bag with you to the beach to dispose of all unneeded items.
While the area is most famous for its sunny enclaves and range of attractions for visitors, the fact remains that Puerto Vallarta is a real city with real citizens. This means that ensuring that as many residents as possible can enjoy a decent standard of living is a community effort, and there are many ways to support these charity efforts while also enjoying your stay with memorable experiences.
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