Teatro Vallarta was the place to be last Sunday afternoon, for the Stars With A Heart concert. For 2 hours, over 800 of us enjoyed the music and performances of some of the Banderas Bay area’s most incredible entertainers as they joined forces in a grand benefit show with all proceeds going to the Vallarta School for Girls.
The show was directed and produced by the multi-talented, Mary Porter and was hosted by Broadway veteran and popular Vallarta performer, Kevin Anthony with Crist P. Thomas as production assistant.
The afternoon opened with a video introduction highlighting how The Vallarta School for Girls was changing the lives of 41 young girls. We then heard performances by Keith Tynes, Kevin Anthony, Gloria Fiona, Natalie Douglas, Kim Kuzma, Enrique de Allende, Mary Porter, Stolie, The Vallarta School for Girls, Brenda Gavino, Lady Zen, Diego Guerrero, Jordon Carnegie, Yoalli Guerrero, Cate Valcic, David Maiocco, Sarah Joy, Angeloo, Kimberly La Rue’s Follies, Mark Hartman and Derek Carkner.
Needless to say, there were moments during the show when many of us had tears welling up in our eyes, as we experienced the love, talent and potential that we heard and felt throughout the show. The entire performance was a moment in time that left a lasting impression on the audience.
In its 3rd year of operation, The Vallarta School for Girls has been educating and lifting up the lives of disadvantaged girls in our community. Founded to provide a safe, supportive learning environment for underprivileged girls, students learn to be self-sufficient and confident in a nurturing and safe space. Real-world skills are fostered, including work, health and finances. Aspirations for higher education are encouraged. These young women are given the tools to be self-reliant and self-supporting.
Founded by Francie Nguyen and Cecil Kerfont, the school is funded by the Girls Education Fund, a non-profit founded in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a 501c3 organization in the US, and all donations made to this website are tax deductible for US citizens. For Canadian citizens requiring tax receipts, donations should be made to CanadaHelps.org, specifying that the donation is for the Vallarta School for Girls.
Founder, Francie Nguyen (an immigrant from Vietnam and successful Puerto Vallarta business owner), spoke to the audience about an anonymous matching pledge of $50,000 USD for all donations made to the school by Sunday, February 2nd. This is a life-changing moment for the school. If Puerto Vallarta steps up and meets this number, the Vallarta School for Girls will be the beneficiary of $100,000 USD.
We can do this Puerto Vallarta. Please help make this miracle happen!
