It would be easy, as I once did, to mistake Vallarta’s International Friendship Club (IFC) for a social group, given its happy hours, High Tea, meet & greet events at various venues, and its dine-around at interesting Vallarta restaurants.
One might also easily think of the IFC as an educational institution, in that it hosts architecturally interesting Home Tours twice a week, Spanish language classes at four levels three times a week, a series of history (usually Mexican) classes each season (starting Friday, January 12), and other classes as varied as bridge lessons and art.
One might also think of the IFC as a wellness center, given its weekly meditation and yoga classes and, this year, tai chi.
While the IFC may be all of these, I remember being surprised to learn that it is, in fact, a charitable organization that supports around 20 educational and social welfare non-profits in the Vallarta area.
The various IFC social, educational, and wellness events help IFC fund its support of these non-profits. The non-profits include social welfare providers such as interim homes for children with families unable to care for them (Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo), a rehab facility for children with disabilities (Pasitos de Luz/Casa Connor), supporters of families where the mom has cancer (Grupo Bennu Apoyo a la Mujer Con Cancer), backpacks and school supplies (Vallarta Abuelos).
They also include educational programs, such as the Huichol scholarship program, school fees, and instrument costs for the Instituto de Artes Musicales Puerto Vallarta (IAMPV ) and its Salty Paw youth jazz orchestra. IFC also supports the recently formed Vallarta School for Girls.
The IFC itself organizes cleft palate clinics, bringing together donated medical facilities, surgeons, nurses, and the entire infrastructure needed for children from around Vallarta to obtain surgery to correct cleft palate and for remote families to travel and stay with the child at the time of the surgery.
For more information about the charities supported by the IFC, click here.
It warms me to know that when I join an IFC activity, I am helping these charities and the children and families they support.
Upcoming Event Highlights
- IFC Home Tours, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:15 AM. For information and tickets: ifcvallarta.org/shop/tickets-home-tours/
- January 12, and weekly after that, through February 2, at 10:30 AM, IFC Clubhouse. ‘Borderland Rebels,’ a weekly series of lectures by historian Dan Grippo. The dramatic story of the Magonistas, rebels determined to overthrow Mexico’s infamous dictator, Porfirio Diaz, from 1876 until he was forced into exile at the outset of the Mexican revolution in 1910.
- January 15 – Broadway songstress Deborah Darr’s benefit for the IFC, ‘Auditioning for Life: Broadway and Me,’ at The Palm Cabaret in the Romantic Zone. 4:00 PM. No online ticket purchases. Reserve by calling The Palm box office at +52.322.222.0200 and pay 500 pesos in cash on arrival. Sellout expected.
- January 17 – 5:00 PM – Annual General Meeting and elections. IFC Clubhouse.
- January 19 – Dine Around – watch the IFC Facebook page for venue and signup, or the IFC calendar.
- January 21 – Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra performing at Oscar’s on Isla Cuale. Don’t miss the best Sunday afternoon benefit concert around. Doors open at 3:30 PM, and the concert starts at 4:00. Early bird (through January 13) tickets are 1000 pesos and 1250 pesos thereafter. Tickets include delicious hors d’oeuvres and a welcome drink of beer, wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage. Click here to get your tickets.
- January 22 and weekly thereafter, tai chi classes will begin at the IFC Clubhouse.
- January 26 – Dine Around
- February 13 – Mardi Gras Happy Hour at Tilt Museo, Calle Pino Suarez, Int 3 (at Basilio Badillo) in the Romantic Zone.
These events and all IFC offerings can be found at ifcvallarta.org or contact the Clubhouse at 52.322.222.5466. Tickets must be purchased online in advance (except for Deb Darr’s benefit, details above).
