Back in May of 2012, these good people were featured in the Sonoran Resorts blog, and we developed an admiration for the purity of their intent to help; to just help; whoever and whatever cause that is in general need at the time; and our admiration—and friendship—has grown exponentially ever since.

Just in case you may not be familiar with this couple (sorry, there aren’t adequate adjectives to properly describe the simplicity of their “good neighbor next door” honesty and friendliness); they are a “perfect match” in love for 26 years, married for 22 of them and have lived in Rocky Point for 17 of those.

It won’t take you long to know that they live from the heart, and put their hearts into everything they live for. Nor do you have to look far to discover there is no ulterior motive or long term goal to be anything more than helpful—no rules, no discriminating restrictions and no boundaries other than to do everything they can to help.

After spending some time with this pair you will notice something missing: negativity. It’s made even more obvious by the abundance of enthusiasm with which they approach everything they do, indeed, even their philosophy on life and their faith in humanity.

“Why are we here on God’s earth if not to help our fellow man in need.” says Mark, who grew up 100 miles south of Chicago in the small town of La Salle-Peru. “My Dad taught me to look at others’ needs before my own; to help them until they can help themselves. Then they will know how to help others when they can.”

Barb is from the same philosophical mold, raised in a part of Missouri so rural the family mail box was seven miles from home! “We always helped others,” Barb confides, “living that far from nowhere, it was second nature!”

As humble as they are, their years of continuous service to our little slice of paradise by the sea did not escape the appreciation of the local club known as Uncommon Women on Common Ground, themselves active in a number of charitable endeavors. At their monthly meeting of Tuesday, September 10, 2013, held at the Mexico Beach Bum restaurant in the Malecón, the group documented their gratitude by honoring Mark and Barb with a bundle of gifts, cards and other symbols of thanks, topped off with a framed “Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation” beautifully expressing, “For their profound and abiding altruism through myriad and unique contributions to the Puerto Peñasco community, particularly the Adopt-A-Classroom program, La Esperanza para Nueva Vida, A.C., and Los Rolling Rockies Wheelchair Basketball Team.”

It’s obvious the club couldn’t find a frame as large as Sandy Beach to list all the other charities Mark and Barb have helped, and continue to help. They also knew it would not affect this unassuming couple.

To read more about Mark and Barb Olszewski and their charitable accomplishments, you can visit:

http://www.sonoranresorts.mx/?p=4658, http://www.rockypointclassroom.com, http://www.laesperanzaparanuevavida.mex.tl, http://www.sonoranresorts.mx/?p=5671

This article is brought to you by the Sonoran Resorts Sales Group, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.