Wow, what an amazing and fun year we had in Rocky Point in 2013! It is hard to believe that another holiday season is upon us and 2013 is almost “hasta luego”! I sincerely hope that your 2013 was filled with much joy and happiness. Hopefully, your 2014 will have some more Rocky Point therapy planned for some kick-back relaxing days on our beautiful beaches.

Well, it’s that time of the year again…GIVING. We just finished our Thanksgiving and now it is our special time to join and help those less fortunate than us…the poor right here in Rocky Point. Nine years ago, my family and I were traveling around the city and came upon the railroad tracks and were waiting a very long time for a train to come by. While we were waiting, we noticed the abundance of shacks that were pieced together with plywood, cardboard, wire and any miscellaneous scraps you think could be used to put a roof over someone’s head. Instinctively, instead of traveling over the tracks, we drove along the tracks fully taking in the most desperate of living conditions one could ever imagine. Children and adults were barely clothed and they all looked desperately hungry. Right on the spot we decided it was time to formulate a plan to help them. We came home and emailed our friends and family and co-workers and talked up the situation to anyone we would meet. Over the years, the charity has grown to become Personas Para Puerto Peñasco and has grown year to year enabling us to help out more and more people with food, clothing, blankets and most of all HOPE! We again have enlisted the help for this year’s drive from the amazing folks at Swim Neptune of Arizona, Amerifirst Financial, Inc., Arizona Swimming, Bella Sirena Homeowners Association, Peñasco Luxury Rentals and many other Mexican and American businesses.

This year’s theme is “WARM THE HEART”…we are gathering new and used clothing, blankets and shoes as well as food staples such as pasta, peanut butter, soup, canned tuna, etc. Please do an early spring cleaning of your cabinets and closets. If you have not used it in a year, most likely it is time to refresh and move the item along to someone who is in desperate need of it! It is truly amazing to see the difference a few boxes of pasta and a bag of clothes can do to someone’s life that has little or nothing. Likewise, while you are out holiday shopping this year, please find it in your heart to remember to pick up one or two items for the less fortunate. I assure you, whatever you give out will come back to you many times over. You are reading this article today and now because you are chosen to help make a difference in our world. YOU have the power to make a difference! YOU have the power to change a life! YOU have the power to make someone’s holiday season the best they have had in years…or ever! Donations are being accepted now at Peñasco Luxury Rentals in the Bella Sirena Resort right here in Rocky Point…just let the guys at the gate know that you are dropping off donations and they will point you in the right direction to drop them off. Thank you Cathy & Scott Poturalski for helping collect these items in town. For those of you not making it down to Rocky Point before Christmas, please email me at mpaliscak@amerifirst.us and I would be thrilled to arrange to collect your gifts and donations and deliver them to Rocky Point in time for the holidays.

Sam Levenson said it best and a great message for ALL OF US!

For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”

God bless you all and may your holiday season be your best ever. HAPPY 2014 and see you at the beach! ADIOS AMIGOS!

Marco