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 News from Around Banderas Bay | March 2005 
The 2005 Becas Ball was a Big Success
 PVNN
| Held at the Westin Resort in Marina Vallarta on Saturday March 5th, this year's Becas Ball was a night of food, friendship and fun in Puerto Vallarta.
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Puerto Vallarta - The annual Becas Ball is one of the major sources of income for the AMF scholarship program, and one of Vallarta's most popular social events. This year's Becas Ball was a huge success with 359 tickets and close to five thousand raffle tickets sold, plus a $40,000 peso check presented by the International Friendship Club's Treasurer, Al Badner.
Held at the beautiful Westin Resort and Spa in Marina Vallarta on Saturday March 5th, this year's guests enjoyed a night of food, friendship and fun, while contributing to a brighter future for our local children. The evening's celebrations started with free cocktails and lively music by "Bambino" being served up between 7:30 and 8:30 pm.
Local businesses and individuals donated items for the silent auction and raffle, so during the cocktail hour, everyone had a chance to place their bids on a large selection of items ranging from art and jewelry to fine wine and gourmet meals at some of the most popular restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.
As guests moved into the main room, the Farra band was playing dance tunes that pushed the evening into high gear. An elegant, delicious and well-presented dinner briefly interrupted the dancing, but soon the dance floor was once again crowded with well-dressed couples "cutting the rug."
During dinner, guests had the chance to give a hearty round of applause for the 20 Becas students who acted as greeters and helpers throughout the evening, and the volunteers who spent many hours to make the event such a roaring success. After dinner, bidding was fast and furious, as RC Burkheimer skillfully orchestrated the live auction. The hottest item on the auction block was a backgammon set that belonged to film director and Puerto Vallarta folk hero, John Huston.
Raffle winners included Timo Salvatierra Queto, who won a 29 inch TV donated by Lans; John Pauley - a microwave oven; Elizabeth Villada - a Samsung VCR/CD; Bill Dunlap walked away with a cash prize of $1000 pesos; and Meriel Gregory won $1500 pesos and immediately donated it to the Becas Fund.
Becas Vallarta, A.C. is a non-profit, tax-deductible Mexican foundation that was started in 1961 to raise funds for scholarships for students in grade 8 through university. The annual Becas Ball is the main source of funds for supporting the deserving students, and at present the foundation is giving grants to 286 students, 79 in Secundaria, 136 in Preparatoria and 71 in University.
The ever growing number of deserving kids plus the ever increasing costs of providing education, uniforms, shoes and school supplies is a huge challenge, and the annual Becas Ball is an example of how generous community-wide support can be rewarding to all of those involved. If you missed this year's ball, but would like to make a contribution to the cause, please contact Mariel Fregoso at 221-0789 or Mary Ellis at 222-1478. |
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