Esta publicación también está disponible en:
Lydia Damato has built a reputation in Puerto Vallarta not through titles or recognition, but through consistent, hands-on involvement across a wide range of community efforts.
A well-known figure in the city’s lesbian community, Damato was named Outstanding Volunteer for Community Contributions at the We Are Puerto Vallarta Awards 2026— an honor that reflects years of steady, often behind-the-scenes work supporting causes that span animal welfare, nonprofit fundraising and community events.
For many who voted, the recognition is less about any single contribution and more about her reliability.
Lydia is widely known as a “volunteer at large,” stepping in wherever help is needed. Her work is not tied to one organization or cause, but instead reflects a broader commitment to the community as a whole.
Among her most visible efforts is her long-standing involvement in animal welfare. Lydia has worked closely with local groups supporting rescue and sterilization programs, including serving as a schedule coordinator for the Colina Free Spay & Neuter Clinic. Her role helps organize services that directly address the city’s stray animal population — a persistent issue in the region.
That work requires consistency and coordination, two qualities frequently cited by those who know her.
But her contributions extend far beyond animal advocacy.
Lydia is also a familiar presence at charity events throughout Puerto Vallarta, particularly fundraising bingo nights at Nacho Daddy. As a host and emcee, she helps draw crowds, maintain energy and ensure the success of events that generate support for local nonprofits.
Those events, often informal in tone, rely heavily on volunteers who can engage the community — a role Lydia has filled repeatedly.
She has also supported organizations tied to arts and culture, including involvement with Arte Vallarta Museo, along with other grassroots initiatives that depend on volunteer labor to operate and grow.
Her approach is not limited to one sector. Instead, she moves between causes, offering time and support wherever it can have the most impact.
Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Lydia has been part of the Puerto Vallarta community for more than two decades. After relocating to the city in the early 2000s, she became both a business owner and an active participant in local initiatives, co-founding Uncommon Grounds Buddha Lounge, a restaurant that developed a reputation as a community gathering space.
While she is no longer involved in that business, her volunteer work has continued — and expanded.
Friends and colleagues often describe Lydia as someone who works without seeking attention. She is as likely to be organizing logistics behind the scenes as she is taking on a visible role, depending on what is needed to make an event or initiative succeed.
That flexibility has made her a dependable presence across multiple organizations.
Her contributions are also deeply personal. A longtime animal advocate, Lydia has focused much of her energy on improving conditions for animals in Puerto Vallarta, while also supporting efforts that strengthen the broader community.
At the same time, her visibility within the LGBTQ+ community has helped connect social and charitable efforts, reinforcing the networks that support both residents and visitors.
In a city where volunteerism plays a key role in sustaining nonprofit work, that kind of long-term involvement stands out.
For voters, Lydia’s selection reflects a clear pattern: consistent action over time.
There is no single event or milestone that defines her contribution. Instead, it is the accumulation of years spent showing up, helping organize, supporting causes and contributing to the success of others.
That kind of work is not always highly visible, but it is essential.
And in Puerto Vallarta, it is exactly what makes a volunteer outstanding.
This article was featured in our Summer 2026 issue. Read the digital copy here.
Esta publicación también está disponible en:
