Los Cabos Children’s Foundation Event at Villa del Mar’s Club 96 at Palmilla

This past May 31 was a very fortunate day for Los Cabos charities when the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation, a U.S. 501 3C non-profit organization, presented Amigos de Los Ninos with $250,000 U.S. spread over the next five years, and $25,000 U.S. to Liga MAC. Municipal Family Services (DIF), the San Jose Fire Department, the Los Cabos Red Cross, and Mobilize Mankind received equipment.

The Los Cabos Children’s Foundation’s mission is to provide medical, educational, and humanitarian assistance to the children, their families, and supportive organizations of Los Cabos. The foundation was established by Tom Walsh a Sioux Falls, South Dakota businessman and part-time Villas del Mar resident.

Mr. Walsh presented Mobilize Mankind, who deliver donated wheelchairs to handicapped children in Baja California Sur, with a Suburban, and presented ambulances to the San Jose Fire Department and the Los Cabos Red Cross.

This was the first major event at Club 96, hosted by Villas del Mar developer Ron Hatfield and Amigos de Los Ninos. Sponsors included Villas del Mar, American Airlines, Avery McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Terramar Destinations who provided transportation for local children and their families who have received treatment from the charity groups.

Mr. Walsh acknowledged the vital role of sponsor American Airlines in providing free transportation for sick children to the United States for treatment, and to the Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center doctors, families and staff for their surgical and medical treatment to Los Cabos children. Mr. Walsh also recognized Jeanie and Mark Conzemeius and their family who have hosted Los Cabos children in their Sioux Falls home, Snell Real Estate’s Trisha Pacholski, who was instrumental in sending the first group of children to Avery McKennan Hospital, and the many local charity volunteers who have made it possible for sick Los Cabos children to receive treatment through local clinics and at hospitals in the United States.

The Governor of Baja California Sur, Narciso Agundez Montano, the Mayor of Los Cabos, Luis Armando Diaz, and State Director of International Relations, Marco Ehrenberg, also attended the event. Governor Agundez and Mayor Diaz were presented with the keys to an ambulance with a wheelchair lift for the Cabos San Lucas DIF.

Other dignitaries attending were Mr. David Stewart, US Consular General in
Tijuana, and Mr. Mike Houston, US Consul for Los Cabos, who have been very helpful assisting the children with visas to travel to the United States.

The well-attended event included many Villas del Mar owners and Los Cabos residents, local doctors assisting the charities, and charity volunteers and sponsors. Families helped by the charities were also present. A special thanks to Ron Hatfield for making the beautiful Club 96 facilities available and for funding the event.

The Los Cabos Children’s Foundation supports the following organizations:

Amigos de Los Ninos, A.C. provides quality health care to Los Cabos children with limited resources, working with local and Stateside health care professionals who are in need of immediate medical procedures and medication.

Liga MAC, A.C. assists low-income children, families and the elderly and also assists patients recommended by local doctors who are in need of immediate medical procedures and medication.

DIF is a government-funded social service whose social workers, psychologists, and physical therapists work with local children and families. DIF also provides a school lunch program in poor neighborhoods, daycare, and assistance to single mothers.

Mobilize Mankind is dedicated to assisting children with limited resources in Baja California Sur with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, muscular dystrophy and spinal cord injuries, providing wheelchairs and resources.

The San Jose Fire Department is staffed largely by volunteers and provides emergency medical, fire protection and emergency services in the San Jose del Cabo area.

Sisters of the Holy Trinity Hospitals have served the Los Cabos community at the non-profit Anikan hospital for 27 years.

Cruz Roja Mexicana San Jose (San Jose Red Cross) is a first response ambulance and rescue service.

San Juan Diego Shelter helps provide shelter, food and assistance to children. Services include a large kitchen serving breakfast and lunch to the needy; a refuge for immigrants, abused women and children, and a rehab center for substance abuse.

To donate to or get involved with the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation,
e-mail: loscaboschildrensfoundation@dakotaking.com