Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Thankful that our beautiful resort destination escaped the wrath of Hurricane Patricia unscathed, a group of US business owners in Puerto Vallarta are lending a helping hand to families in the rural areas to the south and east of our city who were devastated by Hurricane Patricia.

Collection booths have been set up around Puerto Vallarta, including Comercial Mexicana in Plaza Marina, ACT II Stages on Basilio Badillo, and Casa Cupula in Colonia Amapas.

They are collecting non-perishable food items and bottled water, clothes and shoes, cleaning and medical supplies, sheets and blankets, diapers and toilet paper, toiletries, pet food, tools, flashlights and batteries, etc., for the people in areas where the world's strongest hurricane touched down.

For those who are not in Puerto Vallarta, but want to help, a webpage was set up yesterday for cash donations at gofundme.com/patriciahelp.

This morning, the organizers - Don Pickens, Casa Cupula Boutique Hotel; Danny Mininni, Act II Entertainment; Julie Guerrero, No Way José! Restaurant; and Bob Price, Vallarta Botanical Gardens - were excited to report over $20,000 in the fund. They went out and spent $4500 USD on supplies, filling a Lions Club truck, which is heading to Melaque, and a Vallarta Botanical Gardens truck headed to Emiliano Zapata - two of the worst hit areas.

They now have support from Comparte Centro Comunitario for trucks and drivers, which will enable them to deliver food and supplies to other affected areas, and they are working with Vallarta supermarkets for discounts.

'Non Event' Fundraiser at Signature Lounge, October 28th

More donations are needed to help our neighbors to the south who lost everything, so, on Wednesday, October 28th the PV business owners and friends are hosting a "non-event" (quick, no-agenda gathering) fundraiser from 5:30-7:30 pm at Signature Lounge, Calle Pulpito #180 on the south side of Puerto Vallarta.

Here's how it works. Join the host committee for two-for-one drinks. Come by and drop some cash in the jar for disaster relief. Anything helps: $50, $100, $200 pesos or more! A "Non Event" means you don’t have to dress up, suffer through a silent auction, or listen to a long speech. Just show our neighbors some love, those who have lost everything.

Donations are being matched by International Relief Teams in San Diego and the David and Rachel Eidelman Foundation in Missouri. They will match, peso for peso, the first 82,000 pesos raised. Click HERE for more information.

Please share this information with everyone you know. We'll have fun, and at the same time make a real difference in people's lives. If you'd prefer to donate online go to CasaJojoFoundation.org or GoFundMe.com/PatriciaHelp.