Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - What could be better than a relaxing holiday in Puerto Vallarta, the sun high in the sky and a margarita in hand? The answer: a relaxing sun-drenched holiday in PV, margaritas aplenty, while also helping one of Banderas Bay's most well-loved charities.

The charity in question is Pasitos de Luz ("Little Steps of Light" in English), a day care centre for disabled children from poverty-stricken families. If you live in PV or visit often, you will probably know about Pasitos.

This non-profit organization has existed for more than thirteen years as a lifeline for families from the poorest parts of Puerto Vallarta. These are the colonias that don't make it into the tourist brochures and which many overseas visitors will never see. They are, however, the parts of Vallarta most in need of investment and social services. This is where Pasitos comes into the equation. But more about this later...

First things first, we want to let you onto a little secret. In between Pacífico beers, tacos and football, you can help us out! How? It couldn't be easier. We are slap bang in the middle of our annual end-of-year fundraiser, called El Pasitón. This is where we ask the whole of Puerto Vallarta to get behind our cause throughout November/December and throw us as many pesitos as they can possibly spare.

Our slogan for this year is Juntos por los niños de Vallarta, which translates as "Together for Vallarta's Kids." Every peso (or quarter, nickel etc.) counts! Some of PV's finest boutiques, bars and restaurants have kindly agreed to collect money on our behalf. All we need you to do is drop off your spare pesos or dollars. You can donate money to Pasitos de Luz at the following friendly locations:

• Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Basilio Badillo 276
• Nacho Daddy, Basilio Badillo 287
• La Cigale French Bistro, Hidalgo 398
• Peyote People, 222 Calle Juárez
• JD's BBQ, Basilio Badillo 283
• Pitt Bar & Grill, Basilio Badillo 229
• Lucy's Cucu Cabana, Basilio Badillo 295
• Thirsty Cougar, Olas Altas 443

We genuinely appreciate any support we can get from both Mexicanos and non-mexicanos and have been humbled by the generosity shown to us over the past decade (and a bit). This year's Pasitón runs right until the end of December.

Pasitos de Luz sits in the Colonia Bobadilla in northern Puerto Vallarta, on the doorstop of some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the city. Children at Pasitos receive breakfast and lunch, alongside rehabilitation and education. Most importantly, parents can be safe in the knowledge that their children are being taken good care of, while they go out to work to provide for their families. All the services provided at Pasitos de Luz are 100% free-of-charge, which makes fundraisers such as El Pasitón an essential fixture on our calendar.

We look forward to making this year's Pasitón a resounding success and hope that you can be part of this. For more information about Pasitos de Luz, please visit pasitosdeluz.org, get in touch via email at info(at)pasitosdeluz.org, or give us a call at 322-299-3625.

Together for the Children of Vallarta!