The House of Mexico, part of Balboa Park’s International House of Cottages, held their spring gala on April 27 as a fundraiser to assist in raising money for a cottage.
The fundraiser was held at Bonita’s San Diego Country Club.
“It’s our annual spring benefit, this is our second, but first with our ambassador,” said Sonia Ruiz president of the house, “We met two goals, one was to present our new honorary ambassador with an award, the second was to just have fun.”
According to Ruiz, 90 people were in attendance at the gala.
“By invitation of the president of the House of Mexico Sonia Ruiz, I am very grateful and honored for being the first awardee of what they call, from now on, the Ambassador Award,” said Adriana Bacelis Sotomayor, consul for cultural, press and tourism affairs, Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego.
In 2016, the San Diego City Council approved amending the Balboa Park Precise Master Plan to allow for the construction of five buildings for nine new cottages.
“$420,000 is needed,” said Ruiz, for their portion of the fundraising efforts.
Mexico had been a member of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations from 1935 to 1944 when it discontinued its assocation with the organization.
Enrique Morones in 2001, with others in the community, approached the House of Pacific Relations about joining the organization. The House of Mexico was voted in as a member in 2004.
“Thirty-two countries are represented but not every country is represented with a cottage,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz said the House of Mexico will be across from the organ pavilion in the grassy area just east of the Hall of Nations.
Ruiz said they plan on having another gala fundraiser next year as well.
