Rescate Playas Borinquen

Hey everyone! My name is Frances Vazquez. I am turning 30 on November 30th - what an incredible golden birthday :) In order to start off my 30's with a meaningful bang, I am asking my friends, family and colleagues to opt for giving donations to Rescate Playas Borinquen (a local Puerto Rican organization that is dear to my heart) rather than gifting me birthday wishes or physical gifts. $30,000 is a massive goal, but I believe we can do it. Even a donation as little as $5 is meaningful. :)

As a special bonus I will take 30% off any 12 in x 12 in oil painting of your choosing for those who donate over $100 + share the link to your family, friends and colleagues. Here is my portfolio if you wish to see the kinds of paintings I have done in the past: https://francesvazquez.carrd.co/#art

Rescate Playas Borinquen (https://www.rescateplayasborinquen.org) is a small non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - where I now live. It was founded by Mario Torres Zamora over 10 years ago. As a local surfer, scientist and designer he found the state of the beaches in Punta Borinquen to be a disservice to the locals and tourists alike whom wish to experience the magic of Puerto Rican coastal nature.

With mounds of trash scattered everywhere, illegal activities being common place and historical sites being destroyed, he took on the incredible task of becoming a steward of Punta Borinquen beaches and recreational spaces. With his dedication and thousands of other volunteers, members and participants, Rescate Playas Borinquen had been able to consistently maintaining the 642 acre areas of Punta Borinquen on a monthly basis since July of 2013. Directly from their website they note "We, along with our subcontracted workers and collaborators, are currently responsible for all of the maintenance of the area that corresponds to the areas of Survival Beach to Wilderness Beach . This includes trimming & mowing and biweekly trash pickup.

In addition to the physical improvements of the area and manual labor, we also host an array of different community events. We also sponsor monthly FREE yoga for the first Saturday of the month, monthly community meetings, and RPBQN Experiences educational seminars the last Friday of the month. For more information see the "News and Events" tab."

As all of my friends, family and colleagues know, I have been passionate about the environment for my entire life. Whether I was fascinated by playing vet to my grandmother's birthing dogs, or I was deep in rivers during my Environmental Science studies in undergrad, I always knew that I wanted to keep my relationship to nature at the forefront of my life.

Now, I get to do that while I am living in Puerto Rico. I came here with the goal of indulging in my native island's natural wonders where I am learning to surf and wish to give back to a culture who has had such an incredible impact on the person I am today. Part of my life here is working for Rescate Playas Borinquen, a very deserving organization who truly aligns with my interest of investing in local environmental initiatives that serve us all.

Thank you so much for being a part of a positive future where we support local organizations who work to ensure all of us can delight in our natural spaces.

P.S. PayPal Giving Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity, will receive the donations and grant the funds to Rescate Playas Borinquen. They will also be providing the donation documentation you need for your taxes.