<div><strong>BACKPACKS for a BRIGHTER FUTURE</strong>
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<div>For the seventh year, <strong>Vallarta Abuelos</strong> is launching our annual <strong>School Bag Project</strong>, and we need your help!
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<div>This summer, we will purchase and fill 600 backpacks for children from low-income families in Puerto Vallarta. Each backpack will be filled with the school supplies students need to begin the new school year with confidence and dignity.
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<div>Many people are surprised to learn that public education in Mexico is not actually free. Families must pay for uniforms, shoes, backpacks and school supplies, transportation, school activities, and even purchase paper for the school's copy machines, toilet paper, and markers for classroom whiteboards.
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<div>For families earning only 3,000 to 4,000 pesos per week, the cost of sending children to school can amount to thousands of pesos each year. Many of these households are headed by single mothers who clean our hotel rooms, care for our homes, and serve us in Vallarta's small restaurants and food stands.
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<div>The high cost of education is one of the principal reasons that 50% of Mexican students drop out of school.  When families must choose between paying for school supplies and putting food on the table, education suffers.
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<div>Last year, thanks to the generosity of our community, we distributed 600 backpacks and witnessed firsthand the joy and relief they brought to both children and their parents. Once again, we need your support to ensure that children start the school year prepared and ready to succeed.
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<div>Whether you sponsor one backpack or many, your gift makes a direct and lasting difference in a child's education.
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<div>For additional information, please contact us via Facebook.
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<div>The <strong>Vallarta Abuelos</strong> projects are produced under the auspices of DFW International, a Dallas-based 501c3, and as such can issue receipts for use with US taxes.  Our tax-exempt ID number is 752905446
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<div>About your DONATION: 100% of funds collected will be used for this project. We are all volunteers and there are no costs for overhead or staff.
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Shirley Dilley

Jerry Van Blaricom

Chris Tucker

Anonymous

Caroline Gray

Katherine Leicht

Shasta Townsend

Lori Argle

Debbie & Lorenzo Cerasani

Anne Adams

Georgia Velez

Enelin Toneva

Lynn Jeffs

Cayenne Heron

Traci England-Nelson

Dawn Belton

Cindy DuChateau

David Haynes

Backpacks for a Brighter Future

Backpacks for a Brighter Future

Still $6,886 to go. Help us build momentum.