January Recipient of Sayulita Life’s $5000 Donation: Pro Sayulita
Sayulita Life gives back to the community every month by donating $5,000 to a local cause or charity in need. Sayulita Life has chosen Pro Sayulita as the recipient this month.
The goal of Pro Sayulita is to recognize and preserve Sayulita’s unique cultural and ecological diversity and the benefits they provide for all who live and visit here.
Pro Sayulita’s mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment for visitors, residents, and businesses; working with groups and local associations on ecological, environmental, and cleanliness issues for the well-being of the town and future generations.
It all started when a few locals and ex-pats identified the need for a wastewater treatment plant back in 2005. They canvassed the streets and knocked on doors carrying a bucket for cash donations with a toilet seat on it! They raised so much money, that there was a positive balance. That balance started the work Grupo Pro Sayulita has been doing for the past 17 years, celebrating 17 years as an approved Mexican AC.
Along with donations and Membership pledges, Pro Sayulita has been able to support such projects as SayulitAnimals (they pay the monthly rent for their facility on Manuel Placensia); Campamento de Tortugas (this year Pro Sayulita supplied funds to buy wood to build their new pens for the nests). In addition, Pro Sayulita supports the Beach Safety program which raised funds to build four Lifeguard towers on Sayulita beaches as well as annual training sessions teaching volunteers to effectively and safely rescue anyone in trouble in the water. They also support the local primary school. They pay electricity and rent for the Administrative Office and the Ministerio Publico where denuncias can be filed and taxes can be paid. They also pay for street washing, water testing and support the Centro de Recicla and El Centro Creativo. Pro Sayulita’s goal is to make the town a safe and happy place to live and play.
Recently, Pro Sayulita took on a huge project, challenging the local government’s IMPLAN proposal for higher-density buildings including 8 story buildings along the beach. Fortunately, they were successful in getting this plan shut down. The next phase of the project is to work with the new administration that was sworn in in early October. Pro Sayulita will share their ideas of what a fair and sustainable plan would look like for Sayulita.
COVID-19, unfortunately, put a big damper on the fundraising efforts for Pro Sayulita. Additionally, many Members had to understandably cancel or allow their Memberships to lapse. This has left Pro Sayulita with a deficit to cover the costs of the lawyer they hired to fight the IMPLAN proposal. All the programs that they support are also in jeopardy.
If your Membership has lapsed, please consider renewing. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining. And finally, if you have a few extra pesos in your jeans, please consider donating. All donations by US citizens are tax-deductible and are greatly appreciated. Visit their FaceBook page to learn more. If you are able to make a donation to help Pro Sayulita with their future projects, click here.
Written/Edited by Amy Rose Pearson
