Michele volunteering in Playa del Carmen

As a full time blogger living abroad, I have noticed a common bond among other bloggers and their willingness to help promote each other’s volunteer efforts. In some ways, it’s simple for bloggers to volunteer because they can help spread the word about a particular event or charitable organization no matter where they are in the world. My friend Michele who lives in Playa Del Carmen in Mexico, for example, helps support Holy Cross school by writing about it whenever she can (my island was the subject of her Blog Action Day post last year).

Recently, Michele was one of the organizers of Mexico’s first annual Taste of Playa. A portion of the proceeds from this community culinary festival went to Ak Lu’um International School for their food program, and provided the school with safe, clean drinking water for the upcoming year.

Peanut Pet Shelter fundraiser at Luna Blue

I thought Taste of Playa was reason enough to take a “volunteer vacation.” I could spend time with friends, and help out with the event in person. While in Mexico, I also had the opportunity to go to the “Leave Your Wallet At Home” fundraiser for the Peanut Pet Shelter, a no-kill animal shelter in Playa Del Carmen devoted to rescuing and finding good homes for injured and abandoned dogs and cats. It was a fun event and I’m glad I was able to attend.

While volunteering in Belize, I have found that expats are often creative at organizing interesting, new ways of raising money in their new communities. Sometimes this can be in the form of a smaller, intimate event like the “Leave Your Wallet At Home” fundraiser. Sometimes it takes the form of an International Food Festival like Taste of Playa, where the proceeds go to providing drinkable water for a not-for-profit school. There are so many people in need that the weight of it can seem overwhelming. But coming together with a group of people and enjoying an evening out while raising money for a worthwhile cause makes it more fulfilling, not to mention fun, for everyone.

While San Pedro, Belize and Playa del Carmen, Mexico have many differences, the sense of volunteering within the community feels very much the same. It may not be like that everywhere in Latin America but I am glad that I have been able to find a like-minded spirit in Michele, and it’s great that we can support each other’s causes.