This year the Pleasanton-Tulancingo Sister City Association (PTSCA) is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2018 and invites the public to share in some of the activities scheduled with a visiting delegation from Tulancingo. The PTSCA was established in 1983 to promote cultural exchange, goodwill, and friendship between the communities of Pleasanton, California, and Tulancingo, Mexico.

The nonprofit association supports its mission by developing and implementing programs that directly foster interactions between the two communities such as annual delegation visits and high school youth exchanges. It also conducts activities and programs in the Pleasanton community that showcase the association and enhance local understanding and appreciation for Tulancingo and the Hispanic culture.

PTSCA is a "home-grown dream that became a reality through the efforts of two Pleasanton residents, Bob Athenour, an Amador Spanish teacher for 25 years as well as businessman, and Steve Noble, a former Pleasanton Realtor," according to Jorge Victoria, President of PTSCA. "This association has thrived for 35 years with student and adult visit exchange programs that have enriched the lives of all that have participated with the opportunity to share and experience each others culture and form life-long friendships."

Notes Victoria, "Our Sister City Association is part of the national Sister City Program which is a sixty year effort by cities around the US to pair up with cities in other parts of the globe for sharing cultural economic and social ideas. It is a recognition of the often obscured fact that we all are brothers and sisters in the human race."

For the 35th anniversary of the PTSCA, a Tulancingo delegation of 30 people will be visiting Pleasanton between April 18 and April 22, 2018. Anyone who wishes to join the association is welcome to participate in any of the events during the visit.

For example, members of the community can attend the association's Big Band Night at Garre Winery in Livermore. The event features appetizers, a buffet meal, a no-host bar, and dancing to a live band on Friday, April 20, from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The public is also invited to attend a free, 35th anniversary meet-and-greet BBQ at the Amador Recreation Center in Pleasanton on Sunday, April 22, from noon to 4:00 pm. Reservations are required for both events.

"It is very gratifying to have watched over 300 youth who have participated in our Youth Exchange Program immerse themselves in each other's culture, practice and improve their Spanish/English skills, and make lifelong friendships," says Margo Tarver, Publicity Director. "For some, it is the first experience of being separated from their family in a safe and known household that is monitored and coordinated by our organizations. This also helps them prepare for their near future leaving home for college or a career."

The PTSCA offers members the opportunity to experience another culture through a first-hand experience in a safe and fun family environment in Pleasanton and in Mexico. "One of our adult members actually found love and eventually marriage from a delegation visit to Tulancingo," says Tarver. The PTSCA is entirely a volunteer program which keeps costs low and the opportunity to become involved open to all. "This opens the door for friendships to be made with other local community members and the people of Tulancingo, Mexico, leading to lasting bonds."

The association has hosted Cinco de Mayo celebrations and Posadas each year in an effort to include the Pleasanton community in the experience of Mexican cultural. The PTSCA also offers scholarships for its exchange programs.

For more information about the Pleasanton-Tulancingo Sister City Association or to register for an anniversary-related event, please visit www.ptsca.org.