Arizona Man, Others Honored As Rosarito Beach Benefactors

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The city of Rosarito and its Convention & Visitors Bureau have honored several U.S. residents for their significant contributions to the community.

The awards were presented in a Thursday night ceremony organized by the Convention & Visitors Bureau in the conference center of the Festival Plaza Hotel with more than 100 people in attendance.

ConVis President Laura Wong gave each of the recipients a plaque while Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres presented them with keys to the city.

Jeff Failing of Bullhead City, Arizona, who has a home in Rosarito and has been visiting here for 30 years, was selected as Benefactor of the Year.

Among his other contributions, he donated 500 gallons of paint to the city’s anti-graffiti program as well as backpacks for children. Failing also is a director at large of the United States/Mexico City Sisters Association.

In announcing the selection, Cesar Rivera, president of the Rosarito Sister Cities Association, said Failing described himself as “a man who cannot change the world but can make a difference,”

Rivera continued: “Jeff never learned Spanish but believes communicating in the same language is not as important as communicating with the heart.”

Also honored as benefactors was Ron Gulli,  a member of the Glendale Fire Department, who was nominated by the Rosarito Beach Fire Department for contributions to that agency. Gulli has helped arrange the donation of a fire tuck, water tank, fire equipment, uniforms and more.

Bill Black, who was nominated by the local Red Cross chapter; also was honored.

“We need these relationships and we need these friendships,” Mayor Torres said in acknowledging the contributions of the benefactors.

Awards for achievement in sports were given to Rosy Torres, racquetball; Karen Barbosa, swimming; and Marco Antonio Tovar, baseball.

This was the first time that benefactor of the year awards have been given but Convention and Visitors Bureau President Laura Wong said they will likely become an annual event in the city, which has 14,000 expatriate residents.

“It is very important that we acknowledge the many contributions made to the city by these generous and caring people,” she said. “We are pleased that the Convention & Visitors Bureau was able to sponsor the event.”  

MEDIA CONTACT:                             Ron Raposa

                                                     Public Relations, Rosarito Beach

                                                     619-948-3740

                                                     ronraposa@hotmail.com

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