Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In November, December and January, Becas Vallarta held fund raising breakfasts in Vitea, La Palapa and Daiquiri Dick’s - all complete sell outs. Now we are looking forward to the next Becas Breakfast at The River Café in February and the final one of the season in April at Coco’s Kitchen.

No doubt these will also be sold out as our friends support these events faithfully. The 5 star restaurants always serve delicious food with expert service, but the highlight of these events seems to be our patrons buying raffle tickets hoping to win one (or more) of the incredible gifts donated by Vallarta’s most prestigious businesses.

I constantly am questioned as to how Becas is able to get such fabulous gifts donated. My answer is always that these Vallarta business owners agree with Becas that education is the key to success of young people and the community in which they will work. They want to be a part of this noble endeavor to provide scholarships for Vallarta’s best and brightest whose only educational detriment is lack of necessary financial support. So even in this uncertain economy they unstintingly volunteer their gifts to us. We salute all these donors by asking you to give your business to the following great-hearted people who month after month, year after year donate their goods and services in support of Becas Vallarta:

A Page in Sun, Andale Restaurant, Archie’s Wok, Café des Artistes, Casa Isabel, Cassandra Shaw, Coco’s Kitchen, Coyul, Daiquiri Dick's,El Arrayán, Florart, Flowers to Go, Hacienda Alemana, June Rosen Lopez, La Palapa, Liverpool, Los Bambinos, Lucy’s Cucú Cabaña, Marcelo Mico Pilates, Marriott Casa Magna, Med & Spa, Nacho Daddy, No Way José!, Outback Steakhouse, Red Cabbage, Restaurant Beijing, River Café, Teresa Luna Reyes, Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Vitea & Trio, Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates

The next Breakfast on February 15, 2012 is at 9:30 am at the charming River Café. Tickets are, as always, $150 pesos and must be purchased in advance from me or any member of Becas. But breakfasts are not all that are on this scholarship foundation’s coming agenda.

Under the direction of Carlos Fregoso, on Saturday, February 18, 2012 Becas Vallarta, with its main sponsor Vector, is staging the ClubCorp Becas Vector Golf Classic at the elegant Vista Vallarta Club de Golf. A host of Vallarta businesses are also sponsors of this now annual event, including Bajo Cero, Bebidas Vallarta, Benitto’s, Casa Magna Marriott, Ocho Tostados, Corona, Marina Vallarta Club de Golf, No Name Bar and Grill, Pepsi, Silver Purified Water, Trio, Kaiser Maximilian, Vista Vallarta Club de Golf and Vitea... with more to be added.

Golfers will tee off at 12:30 pm for a Shotgun Elimination Scramble that includes 18 holes with a shared cart. Cost of this lively day of fun, sport and philanthropy is only $100 USD or $1300 Pesos (cash or check only please) per person. Once the golfers are back in the club house they will enjoy a scrumptious lunch prepared by our sponsors and receive fabulous prizes from other sponsors.

Some may remember that we had a "hole in one" at last year’s event and we are expecting no less this year. You may get more information or sign up at Vista or Marina Golf Shops or call Carlos Fregoso at 322-128-3817 or 221-0789 or email him at csolaire(at)prodigy.net.mx. All proceeds from this fun filled day will go toward providing more scholarships to Vallarta young people of great ability and low financial assets.

Then, on February 22, "Becas in Action School Tour" will visit one of Vallarta’s best technical senior high schools, Colegio de Educación Profesional Técnica del Estado de Jalisco (CONALEP) whose aim is train middle level technicians for the industrial and service sectors of the economy and the prestigious Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUC) - University of Guadalajara’s Puerto Vallarta Branch that offers careers in a diverse selections of degrees including law and medicine.

The administration of CUC is planning a reception for this visit which promises to be fun and informative and will open eyes to the professionalism of our Vallarta public university. The event will begin at 9:00 am in front of the Molino de Agua on Achilles Serdan where an air conditioned bus will be waiting.

After visits to the schools where we will meet directors, teachers and scholarship students we will have lunch at the well known Mexican Restaurant "El Coleguita" in the village of Ixtapa. Tickets at $500 pesos, include lunch, and must be purchased in advance from any member of Becas or from me at 322-182-0215 or phvicars(at)gmail.com. Those who have participated in former school tours have nothing but praise for being able to see first hand the dynamic schools in Puerto Vallarta.

That takes care of February, but the "piece de resistance" is The Becas Ball, on March 9, at the spectacular Club Regina on the shores of the Banderas Bay in the Marina. Festivities will begin at 7:00 pm with a cocktail hour graced by the music of Vallarta’s own Los Bambinos.

The sit down dinner will follow with music for your listening and dancing pleasure. (Band to be announced very soon). A fantastic silent auction will showcase some of Vallarta’s most desired items, as always, donated by our fabulous business community.

Marcelo Mico Pilates and Timothy Real Estate Group are already preparing gift bags for the participants with surprise gifts from such businesses as Elements, Lalo Morales and many more. The tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $100 USD or $1200 pesos. Tables of 10 can be reserved if at least 8 tickets are paid. This event, like our Breakfasts, always sells out, so don’t wait to reserve your tickets and tables with any member of Becas or me at the phone and email above.

April will not be without Becas events. Coco’s Kitchen is hosting our final Breakfast for the season on April 18. There will be a surprise for your pleasure unlike anything that has ever been staged before in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s a hint, Cassandra Shaw is planning this surprise, so use your imagination. As always, tickets must be purchased in advance and can be done through me or any other member of Becas.

Save these dates for the incredible adventures in store for you Becas Supporters:

February 15, 2012 - Becas Breakfast at The River Café

February 18, 2012 - ClubCorp Becas Vector Golf Classic at Vista Vallarta Club de Golf

February 22, 2012 - Becas in Action School Tour

March 9, 2012 - Becas Ball at the Club Regina

April 18, 2012 - Becas Breakfast at Coco’s Kitchen

Thanks to all who donate, sponsor and come to our events. Almost 400 young scholarship students join me in this heartfelt thanks. The truth is that you are the ones who make Becas Vallarta work.