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Making a Difference

March, 2022

 

Dear Friends of Liga MAC

 

Just as the we emerge from a pandemic, the world’s attention is now cast in the direction of a war in Ukraine. It seems there are many demands for our concern and support. For some the act of supporting causes, the affects of crises, and those in need, is a moral obligation. We will profile two such philanthropic Liga MAC supporters this month. Dr. Deneb Poli will update the current health situation in Los Cabos. And we will highlight the activities of our busy volunteers, check up on some of Liga MAC’s programs as well as update two upcoming Liga MAC events.

Philanthropy Profile: 

Tom & Bonnie McCloskey

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Since 2010, Bonnie and Tom McCloskey have been residents of San Jose del Cabo's premier residential community, Querencia. In 2017, they deepened their commitment to Los Cabos when they purchased the development in which they lived. Entering into the real estate development world in Mexico may have been a new undertaking for the McCloskeys but through their various companies they have built commercial properties and residential communities in Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, and California.  In addition to being the place they call home, Querencia, boasts an award-winning championship golf course designed by personal friend of the McCloskey’s, Tom Fazio. 

 

The McCloskey's success in holdings as diverse as broadcasting, tech companies and wireless communications, organic food products, clean energy, and ocean aquaculture has allowed them to invest in areas in the non-profit sector that capture their interest. And their interests are just as diverse as their corporate endeavors.

 

Bonnie currently sits on the Board of the Better Angels Society, a non-profit dedicated to educating Americans about their history through the documentary film making of Ken Burns. She is also a Trustee of the Aspen Institute and served as a Trustee of her alma mater, Sweet Briar College.  In addition, she is past Chairman of the Aspen Center for Integrative Health and Co-President of the Roaring Fork Friends of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. 

 

Tom served on the Board of Trustees of the Thacher School in Ojai, California for 12 years as well as the Advisory Council of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. He also served on the Board of the Central American Leadership Initiative. Together, Tom and Bonnie endowed the New Venture Competition at Notre Dame, Tom’s alma mater, which awards cash and prizes to a winning proposal for a new product, service or technology. 

 

For Tom and Bonnie, investing in a premier golf community in Mexico also means investing in the local community. As well as maintaining a home in Querencia, they have identified 4 Mexican charities in which they have taken a philanthropic interest, one of which is Liga MAC. Educational non-profits rank highly on the McCloskeys list of charities, so perhaps it came as no surprise that they decided to support Liga MAC and have encouraged others to do so. 

 

As has been noted previously, 2022 marks Liga MAC’s 25th anniversary and, through Querencia, the McCloskeys have committed to fully subsidizing the Liga MAC 25th Anniversary Gala to be held March 30, 2022 at Querencia. Their generous underwriting of the event has allowed the entire purchase price of the tickets to be donated to Liga MAC. 

 

In addition, plans for Liga MAC’s new Learning Centre to be built on the grounds of the current Centro de Apoyo in Zacatal have also been provided by Querencia’s architectural department. Tom and Bonnie’s commitment to Liga MAC is seen by them as an investment in the future of Los Cabos. Today’s Liga MAC students may be tomorrow’s Querencia employees…………or owners!

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Events


There are a few tickets left for Liga MAC’s 25th Anniversary Gala on March 30, 2022 at Querencia Private Golf and Beach Club but they are going fast! If you are interested in attending this sure to be spectacular event featuring cocktails, a chef curated plated dinner, live entertainment, and dancing under the stars please contact Elva at elva@ligamac.org or visit ligamac.org.

 

Our Taco & Tequila event at Habanero’s benefitting Liga MAC will now be held in November so watch this space for more information.

Liga MAC Programs


Our Liga MAC volunteers have been busy organizing and facilitating Zoom “English As a Second Language” classes. Their smaller cohort than in pre-pandemic years of 39 students has been divided into 5 groups that meet remotely for 90 minutes every Saturday morning. The focus is conversational and confidence building.

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Another program that Liga MAC has ramped up as a direct result of the COVID pandemic, is the Spanish & Math Tutoring program. Two years with no direct teacher contact has resulted in most students falling behind in both subjects. 

Liga MAC took a proactive approach by privately hiring teaching professionals to work with 108 high school students. The students meet with their tutors in small groups of 6 to 8 students once a week for 2 hours (1 hour of Spanish and 1 hour of Mathematics). 

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Teachers are reporting that students are better able to understand math concepts when they can discuss them in person. Students are also improving their Spanish verbal and writing skills as a result of in-person Spanish classes. And not surprisingly, students are showing an improvement in their emotional well being after 7 weeks of in-person classes.

Doctors Corner

With Dr. Deneb Poli


As we move forward into 2022 we have seen a major decrease in COVID-19 cases allowing Los Cabos to move into the green light on the local alert system. 

 

OMICRON led to a spike in COVID cases beyond any other wave of cases before, tripling the third wave in mid 2021. 

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Fortunately this did not translate into a significant increase in hospitalizations or fatalities as most cases were mild with cold and flu like symptoms.


Tourism is at its highest since the onset of COVID and we still require mask wearing, temperature checks and safe distancing in public spaces although bars, restaurants and other businesses that are non-essential are now allowed to operate at 80% capacity with essential services now able to operate at 100%. Currently there are 176 active cases that have been detected in Los Cabos by government health authorities.

 

Second dose vaccination has begun for those over 18 years of age. Online sign up is available for a third booster vaccination although the date for this has not yet been established. If you require either of these please check Delegacion de Bienestar BCS on Facebook for updates, links and requirements.

 

Free testing continues to be available Monday to Friday at the Centro de Salud in front of Coppel on Manuel Doblado street. There are also free testing points in Cabo San Lucas. Testing is also readily available at most local laboratories and hospitals. Let's all continue to stay safe and healthy.

Parting Comments

It seems there is a world of need everywhere we turn these days. But aren’t we fortunate, there is a world of generous, caring people to answer that need! Liga MAC is blessed to have the support of the McCloskeys and others who recognize that investing in Liga MAC’s educational support program is the fulcrum to catapult young lives into a better future. 

 

With sincere thanks and hope for the future,

 

Maria Lindenberg, President

Liga MAC Board of Directors

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