Hungry Kids in Puerto Vallarta Served up Hot Dogs and Hope PVM City Paper
go to original December 31, 2012

Will Horton serves up life-changing sustenance with volunteers Susan & Richard Ridout

Will Horton has an enviable job. He gets to spend several days a week spending your money to make a real difference in our community.

"My money?" you ask. Well, if you've ever sipped a mocha latte, listened to smooth jazz, learned some Spanish, savored a roasted chicken, visited the Saturday Market Co-op, exercised in a Zumba class, or done anything at the Paradise Community Center, then yes, he's spending your money!

The profits from all these events and activities (and many, many more) go directly to CompassioNet Impact which then
passes it along to the aforementioned Mr. Horton to manage for serving the under-served in the Puerto Vallarta area.

Every Wednesday and Friday, Will loads his Dodge minivan with other volunteers (you can sign up at the PCC, or at Paradise Church on Sundays) and heads to Ley's or Sam's Club to buy enough food to cook and feed up to 150 hungry kids!

For many, it may be the only hot meal they get that week.

On these community outreaches, Will is plugging into an after-school English language class hosted by Pastor Louis Miguel, and taught by two volunteer teachers from Washington State.

Pastor Miguel is currently planning a Christian church and community center in a neighbourhood near the city dump, loosely referred to as "Salatrillo."

Will explained that CompassioNet Impact rarely creates new projects. Instead, the charity identifies and appraises projects already happening in where Horton refers to as the "flip side" of PV. If everything lines up, the charity then asks, "How can our people and money help you with what you're already doing?"

And it seems to be working. Through these partnerships so far this year, CompassioNet Impact has served more the 3,000 hamburgers, 3,500 hot dogs, 5,000 quesadillas, and nearly 2,000 grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, mostly to hungry children in the outlying areas of Puerto Vallarta.

The totals this year are pretty impressive for sure, but due to changes in the needs of the programs and lower than normal donations, they are actually considerably less than what was served earlier in 2012.

If you would like to help, you can give of your time or your money to this worthy charity. It's easy if you simply choose to support a Paradise Stage show or any event at Paradise Community Center.

Cash or credit card donations are also accepted anytime, with tax deductible receipts for Canadians and Americans; visit.4compassion.org to make an online donation that is sure to make a real difference.

If you'd like to volunteer your valuable time, just drop by the Paradise Community Center at 127 Pulpito in
the Old Town Vallarta.

The PCC is closed on Mondays, and is normally open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays, as well as Sunday mornings.

Check out the official PCC Calendar for a full listing of shows, classes, workshops and more!

  Learn about Paradise Church

  Learn about Families at the Dump