Another Mexican Fiesta Night at Radium Valley Vacation Resort has come and gone, helping once again to bring disability services to Puerta Vallarta in Mexico.
While there was a somewhat smaller turn-out this year, more money was raised than last year’s Fiesta Night, totalling $7,521.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” said Geraldine Vanderveen. “We were expecting to get $6,000 or $7,000, so it’s fantastic that we raised even more than that with the smaller turn-out.”
Geraldine and husband Jerry Vanderveen are parents of Connor, the namesake of the Caring Abroad Society of Alberta (CASA) Connor, the not-for-profit organization who puts on these fundraising nights.
Connor was diagnosed with Hunter Syndrome at a young age.
Connor’s grandparents, Peter and Teena Oudman, who worked at the Radium Valley Vacation Resort for many years, volunteer their time in Puerto Vallarta at orphanages and assisting with the building of schools.
With the proceeds from the CASA Connor Fiesta Nights going 100 per cent to the facility project in Mexico, the Vanderveen and Oudman families are happy to announce that construction has broken ground.
“They’re in the process of putting in services, and as far as the building stands right about now, it’s progressing,” said Geraldine.
“It’s taken a long time to get to this so it’s great to show others what we are accomplishing and to give them more of an incentive for the cause.”
The facility in Puerto Vallarta broke ground on April 4 of this year.
Photos of the initial construction efforts were on display at the Fiesta Night.
Geraldine hopes that by next year’s CASA Connor event, even more progress or completed photos will be available.
“It was a really good night,” said Geraldine. “There was a fantastic environment. It was more of a ‘party’ atmosphere and boisterous, which we like.”
A second Fiesta Night will take place at the Calgary Christian High School in Calgary on September 24, with proceeds once again going towards the Puerto Vallarta facility.
For more information about the CASA Connor Puerto Vallarta project, or to follow Connor Vanderveen’s progress, visitcasaconnor.org