For most of us, spending Christmas in Puerto Vallarta means escaping the cold and the enjoying our celebrations in a beautiful, tropical setting. For some, a vacation in Puerto Vallarta was a gift of travel from a loved one or just a chance to get away together.
This season will be filled with lights, parades, music and food. People will gather and celebrate while they exchange gifts and show their love for each other. We will make Christmas lists with the names of our loved ones and the gifts we wish to give them. We will race to the malls and visit our favorite stores in search of that perfect gift. Everyone wants to see their loved ones face light up when they open their gifts and see that we were thinking of them this holiday season.
Unfortunately the joy of giving at this time of year won’t be felt by everyone. For some, here inPuerto Vallarta, that joy will be longed for but the means is just out of reach. One family who has touched the hearts of so many will spend this Christmas watching the parades, hearing the music and seeing others share in the spirit of Christmas from their tarp covered roof of the wooden shack that is their home.
Their income was not enough to cover the electricity bill from the month before, and most of their food comes from the restaurant where the father works. They have not been as fortunate as many of the local residents who earn a living from the tourists, yet they are right here in the center of the community. They work as hard or harder than the community they live, in but most of them are too young to bring in an income that makes much change.
Christmas approaches fast, and little Kiki has a short list. His nine year old heart is set on a
bicycle to replace the one that was stolen from him. The shack his family of 15 lives in doesn’t provide much security. Still, he is hopeful. Ruby, his older sister has recently started her first job in a local restaurant but spending any of her earnings on Christmas gifts is just a thought that’s quickly replaced by hunger and the need for diapers for her 3 year old brother.
They take out the neighborhood trash for pesos and try to do as many dishes and laundry errands as they can find but the bills are bigger than the family’s basic expenses.
As visitors to this beautiful city, we are blessed by the hospitality of the residents and spoiled by the beauty of the surroundings. Most of us are here long enough to take in the best of Puerto Vallarta and miss that which makes the wheels go round. We visit the shops in Old Town and the fancy restaurants in Centro and come evening we partake in the nightlife and laugh and play in the front-yard of a very generous culture which struggles a few blocks inland from the beach.
We are asking you to help us help Kiki, his sister, younger brother, mother, father, uncle and many cousins enjoy this holiday season and above all, let them know that they are cared for and loved.
Their is no limit or minimum on the donations, even just a $1 dollar donation will help!!!
One less giant margarita, or one less desert will mean a Christmas dinner for this family. The cost of one latte at Starbucks could be a stocking stuffer for Jesus, the 3 year old who’s face will be lit up by the smallest of new toys.
Make one of the memories of this holiday season a lasting one, the memory of giving Christmas to a family who otherwise will only be able to watch the festive fireworks from the alley and hear others celebrating.
Collections gathered by Friday Dec. 21st will be given to given to Kiki's Mom and Uncle to purchase presents and food for all the children. Any donations after the 21st will be gathered and put on a Home Depot Gift Card for improvements to their home. Of course, 100 percent of all funds will go directly to Kiki and his Clan.
Lots of small donations will grow into something big!!!
The donation Button accepts all major credit cards and paypal donations.
