Our December clinic came off without a hitch. Or at least, we overcame the usual last minute changes and cancellations effectively. 🙂
There is no doubt that we all are experiencing a lingering sadness due to the losses of four of our key members, but we push on and continue to meet the challenges of our mission of providing medical, dental and educational information to our friends in Baja Sur.
Last weekend we had four planes with one going directly to Lopez Mateos and the others to Mulegé. Paul Rowley and his passengers, Shelly Collins, Marion Sachs and Bonnie Lassen got to work and set up and cleaned up in readiness for the arrival of the other planes on Saturday morning. Paul took care of organizing the reading glasses and sunglasses we brought down.
After the fog lifted pilots Chuck Schroll, Steve Logan and Jim Gaskin arrived with their volunteers. Coming with Chuck were Marilyn Malone, interpreter, Gene and Meta Kimmel, chiropractors, and Mark Brown, doctor. Steve brought Dr. Claudia Hart, co-pilot Pat McClure and RN Susan Canale. Jim and Stu McPherson, dentist, were our Aeromédicos support.
Patients were provided with a total of 134 services. Pilots also worked in the pharmacy, sterilized dental instruments, and contributed to replacing toilet seats for the patient bathrooms and providing shade cloths for the triage area.
Children were happy to receive their Christmas holiday bags and new sunglasses.
Along with the management of the Hotel Serenidad we sponsored the annual party for the children of the employees. Santa Claus made an appearance and, with a helper elf, distributed the gift filled backpacks to the children. The hotel provided a piñata which turned out to be one of the sturdiest piñatas in the history of piñatas and had to be pulled apart by hand.
In closing, just a reminder that our funds to do what we do come from donations and dues payments. Please remember us when making your annual tax deductible donations. Flying Samaritans is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit. Our tax ID number is 27-2469782. Our mailing address is P.O.Box 6804, Chandler, AZ 85246.
Happy Holidays!
Bonnie Lasssen