Ajijic Arts, Charities, Clubs and Organizations

ANIMAL SUPPORT GROUPS:

Animal Shelter: Provides shelter and new homes for dogs and cats, sells a pet supplies and operates a free bird sanctuary for local children and residents.

lakesideanimalshelter.com

Anita’s Animals: www.anitasanimals.com

Provides shelter and finds new homes for abandoned animals.

Lakeside Spay and Neuter Center A.C.: www.chapaladogs.com

Provides shelter and helps curtail the over-population of animals.

ARTS GROUPS:

Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA):

Provides local artists an opportunity to meet, demonstrate techniques and organize art shows; and provides assistance to young Mexican artists to learn and show their work.

Los Cantantes del Lago: www.loscantantesdellago.com

This professionally directed chorus enjoys performing classical, secular, religious and contemporary music, as well as works of local composers. They give concerts at Lakeside and in Guadalajara, and performed in Ecuador in 2007.

Lakeside Little Theatre A.C.:

Promotes and produces a season of balanced theatrical entertainment for the English-speaking community including the development of talent in every area of the theatre arts.

Music Appreciation Society A.C.:

Promotes music and dance, with emphasis on classical, in the Lake Chapala area, and stages six highly professional concerts each year in the Auditorio de la Ribera. MAS provides opportunities for Mexican students to attend their concerts with the goal of enriching their learning experience.

Northern Lights Music Festival: www.northernlightsmusic.ca

Provides young talented Canadian artists exposure and experience on the international concert stage and provides the community with a wide range of classical music venues including concerts and demonstrations to young Mexican students and musicians through an annual music festival.

¡VIVA la Música!: www.ajijicviva.org

Brings fine music to Lakeside while providing opportunities to showcase the musical talent available within the Guadalajara area. It is especially interested in promoting the musical education and careers of young, up-and-coming Mexican musicians.

CHARITY SUPPORT GROUPS:

Mexican National Chili Cookoff: www.mexicanchilicookoff.com

Organizes a Mexican National Cook Off providing a carnival for residents of Lakeside and Guadalajara and thereby raises charitable funds ($20,000 pesos per group) for ten Lakeside IJAS approved charities.

St. Andrew’s Outreach Program: www.standrewsparish.net

Provides financial support to selected area charities from fund-raising activities through this Episcopal Church parish at Lakeside.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS: (see also Education and Medical Support Groups)

Mision de San Pablo (Xtlahuacan de los Membrillos):

Supports feeding, clothing, health improvement, improved accommodations, and educational support to 50 orphans whose parents and/or guardians have perished or become debilitated by AIDS.

Casa del Lago (Casa de Ancianos) Chapala:

Provides support for local area elderly citizens through a residential home in Chapala.

Casas Cariñosas, A.C. www.abbyfield.com

As part of the world wide non-profit organization of Abbeyfield, help an increasing number of older people enjoy a high quality of independent living provided through a range of services, including housing, support or care, with local community involvement.

Centro de Desarrollo Ajijic:

Provides family planning and reproductive health education for Lakeside families (women and men) in schools, churches and the community.

Centro Amor en Acción (Love in Action Center) www.loveinactioncenter.org

Provides abandoned, abused, orphans and poverty-stricken children with a safe and loving home and the opportunity to receive an education for a better future.

Mexican Association to Empower Women for Family Integration, AMSIF:

To work with the poor, mainly women, to transform the family values in the community. Educate women so they can have a critical mind and thus liberate themselves and become agents of change through a liberated and integral education. A method of education used where they can “see, judge, and act”.

Niños y Jovenes Caravan:

Provides food, clothing and cleaning materials for children in an orphanage in San Juan Cosala.

Villa Infantil Orphanage:

Provides financial support for children in this orphanage near San Pedro Testistan.

Toys for Tots:

Provides the younger children of Lakeside a gift from Santa during the Holidays.

Unidad de Atencion a la Violencia Intrafamilia Sistema DIF Chapala:

Provides assistance to women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse.

CONSERVATION SUPPORT GROUPS:

Amigos del Lago A.C.:

Strives to restore and protect Lake Chapala and its rivers and basin and to achieve sustainable development and economic growth and propagate the importance of environmental protection and preserve the area’s cultural heritage.

Lakeside Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation:

Promotes the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, trees and plants around Lake Chapala.

EDUCATION SUPPORT GROUPS:

Associación Comunitaria de Autosuficienca A.C.:

Through hands-on training in organic farming, assists communities to develop sustainable resource management systems to promote and improve human and eco system health and create co-operative marketing strategies that grow regional solutions.

Biblioteca of San Antonio:

Provides Spanish library facilities for children and families in the San Antonio area.

Carnall's Kids:

Provides Educational Scholarships, making a difference in the lives of children through education.

Technical Universario en Hotelaria: www.jaltepec.edu.mx

Fundraising luncheons and dinners for the benefit of the young women students. Graduates are placed in hotels, hospitality and corporate, and entreprenural endeavors.

Club de Niños:

Provides financial assistance to purchase uniforms and school supplies for area students.

DAR Guadalajara Chapter Sponsorship Program:

Provides scholarships for local students.

DAR Lakeside’s Thomas Paine Chapter:

Provides scholarships for lakeside students.

E.R.I.C.:

Provides support for the construction and renovation of educational buildings at Lakeside.

Golden Strings:

Provides free musical instruments and music lessons to area students.

LCS Student Aid Fund:

Provides financial support to qualified area students to enroll in university, vocational and high school programs.

LCS Education Center (Wilkes):

Provides classes in language and other topics for both Anglo and Mexican community

Little Blue School:

Provides financial assistance for students at a school for disabled children in Chapala

Los Niños de Chapala & Ajijic A.C.:

Provides financial support for the educational, nutritional and social development of local area children.

San Nicholas High School Scholarship Fund: Provides financial assistance for students at San Nicholas High School (east of Chapala.)

Lakeside School for the deaf & Special Needs: www.lakesideschoolforthedeaf.org

Helps to provide meals, hearing aids and medical attention and pays for room and board for children who come from long distances.

University & Vocational Assistance:

Provides financial assistance to enroll in university and vocational programs for area students.

MEDICAL SUPPORT GROUPS:

Pasos Milagrosos, A.C. www.pasosmilagrosos.com

Improve the physical, psychological and social well-being of handicapped children through the interaction of a therapeutic team consisting of a horse, an instructor, and dedicated volunteers. For individuals with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence and self-esteem.

Lake Chapala Shrine Club:

Provides financial support for medical treatment, within Shrine Hospitals, for local area children with burns or disabilities requiring prostheses.

Programa pro Niños Incapacitados del Lago A.C.: www.programaninos.org

Provides financial support for medical treatment of children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, meningitis, cancer and types of birth defects.

Volunteers of the Cruz Roja, Delegation Chapala: www.cruzrojachapala.com

Sponsors fund raising events and provides administrative and support services to the Delegation.

GENEALOGICAL, HISTORICAL, MILITARY AND NATIONAL GROUPS:

Axixic Masonic Lodge #31:

International men’s organization.

American Legion Post #7:

Provides support for American veterans and several local groups such as “Amor in Ación, Cruz Roja, D.I.F. and several schools in Chapala.

American Legion Auxiliary:

Helps support local education, Cruz Roja, local elderly, and disabled children.

British Society:

Provides social opportunities for British residents.

Canadian Club:

Provides social outlet and community service opportunities for Canadians residents.

Democrats Abroad

Official overseas wing of the United States National Democratic Party.

Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad

Republicans Abroad

Official overseas wing of the United States National Republican Party.

Amities Francophones:

Provides social, speaking and listening opportunities for French-speaking residents.

German Club:

Provides social opportunities for German-speaking residents.

Irish Society:

Promotes, perpetuates and protects Irish heritage, having fun doing it!

The Air Force Association of Canada, 904 Wing

Social and support group for those with Canadian Air Force History.

Navy League, Lake Chapala Council: www.navyleague.org

International organization dedicated to the support the sea services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine, and inform the public of matters dealing with these services.

Sons of the American Revolution, Mexican Society:

Lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution, not necessarily a soldier.

Historical Society of Lakeside:

Collects data from organizations and individuals who have contributed to the welfare of Lakeside in order to document the history from early times to the present.

Estrella delLago Chapter #10 Order of Eastern Star: www.oesestrelladellago.org

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world (over 1 million members) to which both women and men may belong. Estrella del Lago chapter assists local patients with transportation to Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.

INTEREST GROUPS & SERVICE CLUBS:

Chapala Golf and Country Club:

Provides a venue for recreation and social activities for both Mexicans and expatriates. The Country Club also offers the course to charitable organizations for fund raising.

Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic: www.ajijiccasa.org

Provides an opportunity for members to cook, share recipes, learn from each other and enjoy a program on the Art of Cooking. Sponsors monthly cooking competitions and Annual Culinary Awards.

Lakeside Garden Guild: www.lakesidegardenguild.org

Limited membership gardening group promoting the interest in the development of local gardens with an accent on the exotic species available in central Mexico. Presents annual Floral Design Show, supports local projects for community improvement and beautification.

Hash House Harriers:

International running group with local chapter walks on Saturday morning, 8:30 AM, La Nueva Posada Hotel with goals of getting exercise, having fun, and enjoying breakfast.

Lake Chapala Garden Club: www.lakechapalagardenclub.com

Promotes an interest, appreciation and better understanding of botanical subjects including but not limited to all plant materials, their care and use in the home and garden. Meetings explore the many garden species and practices unique to this area of Mexico. Open to all interested in gardens and their care. Supports Ajijic Plaza beautification and maintenance.

Lake Chapala Society A.C.: www.lakechapalasociety.org

As a support, social and charitable society for expatriates, provides free medical checks, newcomer information, learning activities in history, physical fitness, computers, Spanish and more, and maintains a 25,000 book library and video library. For the Mexican community, provides English as a second language, remedial tutoring, and student financial aid at the Wilkes Education Center at Galeana #18.

LCS Friends of the Garden:

Assists with the growing and display of plants and flowers and maintains the pools and fish in the LCS Gardens.

Lakeside Community Awards

Honors members of the Lakeside community who use their talents to benefit the community.

Rotary Club of Ajijic:

International service club that performs community service projects and assists children with education.

L.I.N.K.

Aids in legal referrals in complaints regarding service utilities, fraud, rental and lease contracts, domestic help and consumer protection.

Lakeside Women www.lakesidewomen.org

Sponsors semi-annual conferences on subjects of interest to women, to benefit selected lakeside charities.

Lakeside Association of Fraccsionamientos and Condominiums (LAFC)

This association is a support group for board members of fraccs and condos that meet every alternate month to discuss items of mutual interest.

Condominium Directors Group

Provides a forum for education and discussion of condominium management problems.