Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - More than 35 artists from across the Banderas Bay region are coming together to support the Corazón de Niña children's home in an "Artists for Orphans Garden Party" fundraiser on Sunday, March 11, from 2:00-5:00 pm at La Hacienda de Carlota Restaurant.

Their art on exhibit - paintings, watercolors, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and more - will be available for sale, with all of the proceeds supporting the home's nearly 60 children, from toddlers to high-schoolers. The children will create their own interpretations of the artists' creations.

Corazón de Niña opened in 2012 to offer a stable, nurturing environment for children from broken homes, dysfunctional families, and other unfortunate circumstances.

Rather than housing the children in an institutional setting, Corazón de Niña provides a real home with house parents and separate residences for boys and girls. Counseling, education and long-term support are provided to help the children grow into successful adults who are able to support themselves and make their own contributions to the community.

"We so appreciate the efforts by the artists to support us in giving our children opportunities to grow up in ways they most likely would not have," says Melissa Canez, the home's Director and co-founder. "In turn, we invite everyone in the greater Puerto Vallarta area to come and support the artists at this wonderful event, while also supporting the children in our home."

The Artists for Orphans Garden Party will feature live acoustic music by Piel Canela, renowned Mexican folk, flamenco, and gypsy guitarists. La Hacienda de Carlota will serve tapas and provide a no-host full bar.

Tickets are 500 pesos and available by emailing Cecil Kerfont at kerfont(at)yahoo.ca or at the following Puerto Vallarta establishments:

• La Hacienda de Carlota Restaurant, Calle Lázaro Cárdenas #388
• Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Basilio Badillo #276
• Lucy Cucu Cabana, Basilio Badillo #295
• Corazón de Niña Thrift Shop, Marina Las Palmas 1, Frente Hotel Melia, Marina Vallarta

Anyone not able to attend, but still interested in contributing or volunteering, can do so by contacting the Corazón de Niña children's home at kerfont(at)yahoo.ca or 322-224-9209.

Tours of the home are held weekly. For more information, please contact Cecil Kerfont at kerfont(at)yahoo.ca or 556.907.6587.

La Hacienda de Carlota is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 388, in Colonia Emiliano Zapata.