Blog

February 2025

Dear Liga MAC Family,

What’s Happening at Liga MAC:

• February Profile: volunteering at Liga MAC
• Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila event another one for the records!
• New capital project fundraising goals
• Existing programs continue as new student learning opportunities arise

Volunteer Profile: From Board members to Liga MAC Ambassadors

What does the name Liga MAC mean? Executive Director, Elva Haro likes to say that “everything starts with the name!” Twenty-eight years ago, when Pearl Pardy and her small band of volunteers were trying to name their new charitable group, they decided to incorporate the founders’ nationalities – Mexican, American and Canadian. Thus the name became: Liga MAC (League of Mexicans, Americans, Canadians). Today, that designation still holds true. Many Liga MAC volunteers have made their homes in San Jose del Cabo, some are seasonal visitors and others have family ties going back generations but all are committed to helping improve lives in San Jose del Cabo through education.

One volunteer and full time resident of San Jose has spent several years working on fundraising committees and donor development and was recently accepted to the Board of Liga MAC. Ex-pat Canadian, Fran Shields, joins her 6 other Board members effective immediately. Fran shares a strong passion for Liga MAC’s mission to provide students in need with the necessary support to stay in school and advance their education.

Liga MAC volunteers are the engine that drives the organization. From Board members to ESL teachers to volunteers manning booths at the organic markets and Donation Centre, volunteers raise funds, function as Liga MAC’s ambassadors and are responsible through the Board for governance and oversight.

At our recent Tacos Tostadas & Tequila fundraising event, a new category of Liga MAC volunteer emerged. Our students are learning about giving back from the very volunteers that support them. First year university student Valeria Zamora shared the following in her message to those at the event:

“During this vacation (Christmas) I decided to volunteer at Liga MAC giving English classes which I liked and made me feel excited. I’d like to thank you all because you’re an inspiration to me. You’re volunteers at Liga MAC and I admire that a lot because you help the community in an honest way which awakened in me the motivation to be a volunteer and help others.”

Congratulations to new Board member Fran Shields and new volunteer Valeria! For anyone wanting to participate in a fulfilling and rewarding volunteer program, please contact Elva Haro.

Fundraising Activities: Tacos Tostadas & Tequila Event

• A resounding success with nearly $37,000 USD raised!
• Over 300 guests
• 13 chefs representing the finest restaurants in Los Cabos donated their skills and unique culinary creations
• Participants appreciated the arranged transportation to and from the event supplied by Terramar Transportation
• Baja Luna was the perfect, spacious location for the event
• Great music supplied by Sounddays and DJ Be-Producitons
• Many thanks to Baja Luna for supplying the venue and Del Cabo Events for supplying furnishings and decor
• 2 inspiring speeches from students Aranza Villanueva and Valeria

Check two short clips of the event on these social media links:
Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila Reel-1
Tacos, Tostadas & Tequila Reel-2

Learning Centre Facilities Update

Library – a donation from Tom and Judy Foster has enabled the purchase of 300 Young Adult Spanish language books. The books have been catalogued by the teachers of Colegio del Valle and are being linked to the tutoring classes. Del Valle Math teacher Ivan is inputting the books into a data base and borrowing system. Students are encouraged to leave their mobile devices at the door and to spend some time reading in the library.

Computer Centre – Staff noticed that the desktop computers located in the new Computer Centre were not being used to full advantage. Del Valle tutors soon realized that most students are familiar with mobile devices but not with desktop computers. Teachers are now incorporating computers into their Spanish and Math classes.

Surveillance Camera Security System – surveillance cameras have been purchased and will be installed shortly.

Sound System – Thanks to funding from the Q Foundation and the Eagle Wings Foundation, a sound system has been installed in the main lecture halls.

New Capital Project Fundraising Goals

In an effort to protect and improve our new asset, the Learning Centre, a campaign is being launched to purchase solar panels and hurricane roll shutters. The Learning Centre was designed to incorporate not only the addition of solar panels on the roof but the integration of them into the electrical system. Hurricane Odile in 2014 caused expensive and extensive damage throughout San Jose del Cabo. Liga MAC hopes to protect the upper classroom windows from the same fate with the addition of hurricane shutters. For more information or to make a donation to this campaign, please contact Elva at elva@ligamac.org.

Educational Support Program Report:

Ongoing – Spanish and Math Tutoring for 138 grade 7, 8 and 9 students; meet for 2 classes per week some using the Computer Lab; under the instruction of teachers from Centro Pedagogico del Valle

Continuing – Self-Esteem & Social Skills for 47 grade 7 students; 1.5 hours per week; facilitated by staff member Consuelo Espinosa

Health Through Education cooking classes facilitated by Chef Tadd Chapman including onsite sustainable gardening instruction; 47 grade 10 students and their parents

[Watch Video: Healthy Cooking Class at Liga MAC]

Conversational ESL Winter Program for 75 grade 11 and 12 students facilitated by Liga MAC volunteers

Year round ESL Program facilitated by Teacher Juan Carlos Cotamo and volunteers for 45 grade 8 students and 24 grade 11 students

Music appreciation (Choir) mixed group of 15 students of all ages

Volunteer Activities

San Jose Organic Market – Liga MAC volunteers host an information booth at the market on Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. The booth has used books, Liga MAC merchandise and handmade crafts available for a donation. The market is located in La Huerta Sports Club north of Centenario Blvd on the north side of San Jose del Cabo.

Palmilla Organic Market – Liga MAC volunteers host an information booth at the market on Friday mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The booth has used books, Liga MAC merchandise and handmade crafts available for a donation. The market is located at the Shoppes of Palmilla.

Liga MAC Donation Centre – Located at Paseo de los Marinos Blvd and Calle Goleta in Colonia El Chamizal, the Donation Centre receives gently used household items, clothes and books which it offers to the public for a donation. Run by volunteers, students and their parents, the centre is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Parting Comments

Originally meant to signify the nationalities of Liga MAC’s first volunteers, today Liga MAC’s name carries another truth. Liga MAC means community. It is the coming together of different beliefs, ethnicities and backgrounds for one common good – the improvement of lives through education. The pull to start volunteering comes from many different motivations. Some feel a responsibility to give back. Others enjoy the camaraderie or want to learn a new language by engaging with native speakers. Still others, perhaps newly retired, need a purpose. Whatever the initial reason, those that choose to stay with Liga MAC feel a part of something bigger than themselves. They look with pride at the young high school and university graduates who would not have been able to attain their goals without the support of Liga MAC. And they feel the love and appreciation of those students in return.

Please consider volunteering. You will make a difference!

With pride,
Maria Lindenberg, President
Liga MAC Board of Directors