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Caring - A Utah Sonora Connection
Friends of the Americas Foundation is a 501 c (3) charitable foundation. This organization is the culmination of a long time dream of the founders Richard and Beverly Holladay. The foundation primary focus is assisting needy children and families in the State of Sonora, Mexico. In coordination with DIF, the welfare arm of the Sonoran government, the foundation is able to donate goods and services to the orphanages, schools, hospitals and needy families in northern Mexico. The Holladay’s have had a special interest in providing assistance in this area and have been doing so for over 50 years. The foundation, formed in 2001, was able to obtain a contract with DIF where in they work directly with the Mexican government to secure goods across the border into the appropriate hands with out a lot of red tape. This contract has formed a stable bridge across rough waters for seeing that these goods are placed where needed by means of a direct and speedy path. Each year the foundation receives and donates over a million dollars in goods and services to Hermosillo, Mexico and the surrounding areas and the donations as well as the need are growing. In 2004, the foundation initiated a cultural exchange program where in youth from Utah receive athletic sponsorship to participate in athletic, service and cultural exchange events in Utah and Sonora, Mexico. In June of 2004, 16 boys from Utah, ages 15-18, traveled to Hermosillo where they participated in basketball games with teams from the various local schools and colleges, as well as the Mexican national championship teams for 16u and 18u divisions. Between basketball games the Utah teens painted basketball courts and graffiti laden walls and visited orphanages and a children’s hospital where they spent time with the children and delivered toys, stuffed animals and school supplies. In April of 2005 the foundation also sponsored two youth teams from Mexico to travel to Utah where they were hosted by the families of the Utah players for a week. They participated in three tournaments against local high school teams as well as also doing charity work at a women’s shelter, local schools and boy ranch. In June of 2005 and October of 2005 the foundation will be sending boys basketball and girls softball once again to Hermosillo to participate in athletic events and more charitable work. This youth cultural exchange program has helped youth from both areas to realize that though they are from different countries and cultures they have a bond of brother hood and see the need to help one another were needed. Although borders and language may separate them; youth athletics and service work seems to have no barriers. The foundation also owns a transportation service company in Salt Lake County called “Personal Touch Transportation”. This company provides low cost transportation for the elderly, ill and handicapped which other wise may not be available or available at a much higher cost. As you peruse our photo gallery and published events sections we hope you will take reflection of the foundation and its purpose. Please call if you have any questions or would like to become involved by donations in kind, cash or service. Sincerely, Richard and Beverly Holladay
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