“Por la Sonrisa de los Niños”: Gala Dinner for the Benefit of Toys for Tots

For 21 years, Puerto Vallarta Navy League and Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta, as well as various local sponsors, have come together to organize Toys for Tots, a non-profit initiative that seeks to raise funds for the purchase and distribution of toys to disadvantaged children.

To achieve this, during the month of December they host two events that have been consolidated as part of the altruistic activities of the end of the year: the Golf Scramble of Navy League, which was held last Saturday, December 7th, 2019 at the Weiskopf course inside the Vallarta Golf Club; and a Gala Dinner at Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta, held on Sunday, December 8th, 2019 at the hotel’s Salón Vallarta.

During the Gala Dinner, more than 150 attendees had the opportunity to enjoy music, dance, surprises and an exquisite culinary show. It all started at 6:00pm with an elegant cocktail at the Foyer, where national and international drinks were offered.

Subsequently, the guests went to the Salón Vallarta to take their seats at the tables decorated with red and black accents, while the children’s mariachi Los Polvitos de Jalisco enlivened the night. They were joined by the Ballet Folclórico Nueva Galicia, who impressed with their typical Mexican dances.

The musical group called Chévere was in charge of entertaining the guests during the exquisite three-course dinner, consisting of a roasted beetroot salad accompanied by greens, orange slices, jicama, caramelized sunflower seeds, goat cheese, and chile ancho with piloncillo vinaigrette. The main dish was a beef fillet with a mustard and red wine reduction, garlic essence, creamy potato and seasonal vegetables. Finally, the dessert was a flourless chocolate cake with wild berries compote. A delight to the palate!

Since its first edition, more than 175,000 toys have been distributed through Toys for Tots. With the generous support of all the participants of these two events, it is expected that on January 8th, 2020 about 7,000 toys will be distributed, as well as teaching materials for schools that need them.