Supporter of the Month: Abbie Zeltzer and The Patagonia Coffee Ladies

This month, we are proud to celebrate Abbie Zeltzer and her incredible circle of friends, The Patagonia Coffee Ladies. Their story is one of friendship, service, and the quiet power of women coming together to make their community and the world a better place.

In the heart of Patagonia, Arizona, a small town of about 800 residents just 18 miles north of the Sonora border, a group of women gathers every week to share coffee, conversation, and care. The Patagonia Coffee Ladies range in age from their 60s to their 90s, each bringing a lifetime of experience and empathy to the table. What started as a way to connect socially has become a cherished tradition and a steady source of support for those in need across their town and beyond.

Under Abbie’s thoughtful leadership, The Patagonia Coffee Ladies have taken on projects that strengthen their community in meaningful ways. Each summer, when local children lose access to school lunches, they organize efforts to ensure that low-income families have meals available all season long. They lend their time and energy to the Friends of the Patagonia Library, helping maintain a vital resource for education and connection. Through their partnership with Voices of the Border, they also prepare backpacks filled with essentials for families waiting near the U.S.–Mexico border as they navigate the long process of securing legal documentation.

Their work is a reflection of who they are: compassionate, dedicated, and deeply engaged citizens who understand that community does not end where the map does.

Abbie’s connection to Na’atik Language and Culture Institute began several years ago when she took Spanish classes at the school. She remembers the experience fondly, describing how impressed she was by Na’atik’s professionalism, warmth, and commitment to supporting students. One place that stood out to her most was the Na’atik Library, a space that embodies her lifelong love of learning and her belief in the power of knowledge to create opportunity.

Since that first visit, Abbie has become a recurrent donor to Na’atik’s Library Fund, helping us expand our collection and keep our doors open to more local students eager to explore the world through books. Her ongoing support plays an important role in ensuring that young people in Felipe Carrillo Puerto have access to stories, language, and tools that empower them to dream bigger.

For Abbie and The Patagonia Coffee Ladies, the act of giving, whether it is a meal, a backpack, or a book, is about building bridges. It is about showing that compassion can transcend distance, culture, and circumstance. Their work in Patagonia reflects the same mission that drives Na’atik every day: to create understanding, connection, and mutual growth across borders.

We are so grateful to Abbie and The Patagonia Coffee Ladies for their generosity, warmth, and example. Their story reminds us that when people come together with kindness and purpose, even over something as simple as a cup of coffee, they can spark change that reaches far beyond their community.

Thank you, Abbie, for being a true friend of Na’atik and a shining example of what it means to live with heart.

To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.