The Lions Club welcomes the
Flying Samaritan’s back to San Felipe
Article by Kathy Preppernau/Photos by Robin Waters
The Flying Samaritan’s, those Doctors, Nurses,
Pilots, Translators and Volunteers from Modesto, CA,
who have dedicated many years of service to the needy
in San Felipe and other parts of Mexico, came back again
in February to continue their mission of giving. The
Lions Club of San Felipe, thank them for their devotion
and are proud to be a part of this service to our community.
They flew in on Friday afternoon, February 15th .and
Dr. Yates, an Ears Nose and Throat surgeon, checked
patients already prescreened by Karen Bradley and Dr
Marquez the weekend before. Karen is the coordinator
for this project. As an Air Force nurse and a Friend
of the Lions Club, she has been instrumental in making
these visits from the Flying Samaritans a success.
Saturday at the San Felipe Hospital, 7 patients who
needed tonsillectomies or ear tubes, received the much
needed operations. Assisting the doctor and anesthesiologist
Dr. Brizendine, were Flying Sam nurse, Pam Lucas and
our own local nurses Blanca Hafkamp and Ray Mostowy.
Bev Mostowy and her friends who continue to help her
knit the cute little stuffed bears also deserve a big
thank you. The children are always very comforted by
the colorful cuddly bears when they come out of surgery.
Help
was needed Saturday to register, translate, coordinate
and assist the Flying Sam’s, but the Eye Clinic
ran smoothly and efficiently throughout the day thanks
to volunteers from the Lions Club, Rotary and other
caring individuals at the same time the surgeries were
taking place.
The Free Eye Clinic was headed by Dr Demshire, an Optometrist
from Modesto, who has been serving here for many years.
137 patients had their eyes examined and were fit for
glasses, which had been donated by Lions Clubs of the
US. Pat Coleman, who owns an optometric lab and has
worked with Dr. Demshire for many years, filled the
prescriptions for those adults and children who would
not have been able to afford the exams and glasses otherwise.
It was heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of
those who were probably seeing clearly for the first
time.
The Lions would also like to thank Cliff White, owner
of Los Arcos Restaurant and Karen Bradley, owner of
Baja Java, for the food donated to keep everyone sustained
throughout the day.
Over
the past year, 40 people have had badly needed surgeries;
and 600 people in San Felipe have received eye exams,
glasses and the wonder of good vision. All this is possible
through the efforts of the Lions Club of San Felipe
working with the Flying Sam’s. We are grateful
to be able to bring that kind of help to our local community.
More Lions Club News
The Lions Club of San Felipe continues to receive donations
of Medical Supplies that they distribute to local Physician’s
and clinics in the area. Dr Abasolo was a recent recipient
of 4 boxes of surgical supplies. These donations are
much needed and welcomed by our local medical facilities.
Another of the Lions Clubs projects is the the SonShine
Hacienda. A mission in progress lead by Pastor Gary
Lewis and his wife Karen, to build a badly needed home
for abused and abandoned children in the Las Minitas
area of San Felipe. Last week they received donations
from 3 Lions Clubs from Canada. The Mitchosen Lions
Club donated
|
In
January at a Lions Club meeting, Pastor Gary and
Karen Lewis received a $1,000 donation from Dan
& Audrey Coffman to the Sonshine Hacienda
project. |
$300.00, the Sooke Lioness Lions donated $500.00 and
The Royal Oakes Lions donated $1,000. This is the main
fundraising project of this Multiple District zone 19
½ and its chairman Al Beddows. We appreciate
their dedication to the mission and thank Bev and Ray
Mostowy from our local club who were instrumental in
getting these donations for the project from these Canadian
Lions Clubs.
Bill Cartwright has also pledged a donation for the
project from the proceeds of the next Golf Tournament,
at Las Caras De Mexico.
For just $2.00 you too can be a part of this project.
The Sonshine Hacienda has been built through donations
of labor and donated funds and will be finished “concrete
block by concrete block” as the money comes in.
They have calculated that one block and the mortar,
costs $2.00 each, and they will need 7000 more blocks
to complete the facility walls. If you would like to
donate please go to their website at www.marketplacemissions.net
or email to missionaries2@yahoo.com.