SOURCE: Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 15, 2021 / PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE / – Recognizing decades of tireless volunteer work and leadership at the Scottsdale-based Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, local philanthropist Gil Gillenwater was chosen for the Sonora Award for Philanthropy as the philanthropic person of the year for the Mexican state of Sonora. Gillenwater is the first non-Mexican citizen to win this award.
The ceremony took place on December 14, 2021, in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The Sonora Award for Philanthropy was created in 2005 in order to create awareness and social responsibility among altruistic individuals, companies and institutions.
Gillenwater founded Rancho Feliz in 1987 with the goal of addressing both sides of poverty: from the material poverty of Mexico to the spiritual or purpose poverty of the United States. In addition to providing food, housing, health care and education to underprivileged people in Mexico, the organization offers a cross-border establishment where American and Canadian volunteers travel to Mexico and find meaningful connections by helping those who are not born in privileged circumstances. Gillenwater says: “We feed their stomachs, they feed our souls. We call this ‘reciprocal donation’ and to date more than 25,000 volunteers, mostly students, have improved their own lives by helping the less fortunate. Volunteers return to marry this new perception, helping to rebuild the moral fabric of our own communities. Everyone wins under our volunteer model. “
Gillenwater, a lifelong Arizona resident, currently serves as the president of Rancho Feliz. “I am truly honored to receive this award and thank the many volunteers who have given so much time and support to Rancho Feliz,” said Gillenwater.
For 34 years, Rancho Feliz has raised and invested more than $ 16 million to build homes, educational centers, childcare centers, orphanages and volunteer dormitories along Arizona’s southern border. The organization has distributed several tons of medical supplies, sponsored many medical procedures, and distributed more than 400 tons of food to provide 4.6 million meals to the hungry. He has funded more than 2,000 scholarships and even created a dog spay and neuter program. “This infrastructure has provided the foundation for entire families to rise out of extreme poverty and reach the global middle class,” said a representative of the award committee for the Sonora Prize for Philanthropy.
Gillenwater’s real estate career began in 1976. He and his partners formed limited partnerships that bought, zoned, and sold more than 10,000 acres of land in Arizona. In 2007, Gil gave up his real estate career and focused his energies on travel and philanthropy. Gillenwater is a recipient of the Hon Kachina Award, Arizona’s highest honor for volunteering, and also received the annual “Good Neighbor Award” from the National Association of Realtors which also honors volunteering.
For more information about Rancho Feliz and to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit ranchofeliz.com. Follow us on Facebook @RanchoFelizCharitableFoundation.
ABOUT RANCHO FELIZ CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a voluntary, multinational, secular, non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization based in Scottsdale, Arizona and serving the community of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. We are volunteers committed to redefining charity through “well-understood self-interest.” Visit us at ranchofeliz.com.
ABOUT THE SONORA PHILANTHROPY AWARD
The Sonora Award for Philanthropy is a recognition of the spirit of solidarity of men and women who work every day for the good of those who need it most. It was created with the idea of developing awareness and social responsibility among altruistic people, companies and institutions. It is a recognition of those who seek a single goal: to improve the lives of the less fortunate, knowing that only in this way can we aspire to a better society. For more information, visit https://www.psf.org.mx/.