About Us

We are a small group of people in Southern Arizona that formed a non-profit, non-religious charity in 2004, whose mission is to improve the lives of some of the most poor and destitute human beings - mostly in the small town of Agua Prieta, Mexico. This town borders Douglas, Arizona. If you were to ever take a trip to this small town, you would fall in love with the kindness of the people, even though they do not have much in their lives.

The families we come across vary in needs. We have met many mothers who have been abandoned and left to provide for their families. We have met married couples who cannot find jobs to put a roof over their kid’s heads or food on their plates. We have even met fathers who are the only providers for the family because the mother has either passed away or taken off. Yet all of these families, kids, etc. would give you their last tortilla to show you the gratitude for the little help they do get from The Starfish Difference. We help obtain donations, either material or monetary and all of it goes to those most in need across the border in this town of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. We understand that we cannot change all lives but we also know that we can help those helping themselves to obtain a better life. Some just need a little assistance. In time, the stories section will be full of stories of the positive difference this charity has made in many people’s lives.

One of the founding members of The Starfish Difference is in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2004 for being the oldest man to climb Mount Kilimanjaro at age 78. One year later he climbed it again as part of his Four Peaks in Four Weeks trip. You may ask yourself why an elderly man would go across the world to climb this mountain. It was to raise money and attention to the needs of The Starfish Difference Charity. He did it to raise money in order for us to help those who really need it.

The courage and dedication of this man is shared by all members of the charity. The people, mostly senior citizens, have been an inspiration to the younger generation. Students of Douglas High School got together to form a club called “The Starfish Difference Club” for the sole purpose of helping the charity. They were overwhelmed by the efforts of the people from across Southern Arizona, none of which who are wealthy but just hard working blue collared people that they wanted to make a difference and help where they can.

If you have a group, club and/or organization or just want to get involved we encourage you to contact us.

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you
can only do little - do what you can.”  ~Sydney Smith