Cheryl Ewing of the Kitchener club presenting a plaque from Mexico Nogales Shoebox program to President Marilyn. 
On April 3rd Cheryl Ewing from the Kitchener Rotary Club gave us an update on the Rotary “Shoe Box” service program in Nogales Mexico. Cheryl has been involved with this project for over 15 years and her passion for the project and her stories of how this project has impact the local Nogales community was inspiring. Here are some of the highlights…
- We forget that there are regions in Mexico which are really 3rd world countries which have no water supply, no sewage treatment and very poor living conditions. This makes the program very important for the region as it gives people hope.
- This program started 20 years ago by a club in Tucson, and Canada has been involved for the last 15 years, going down to Nogales and partnering with Rotary Clubs from the United States and Mexico to help this region.
- Each year in early January (their Three Kings Day) a group of volunteers from local Rotary Clubs (Kitchener, Mississauga West, Woodstock, Guelph etc.) go down to Nogales and hand out gifts such as coats, clothing and soccer balls, blankets, etc. there has also been rescue and fire equipment provided in the past.
- Our Club has supported this project for many years and our President Marilyn has been able to be part of the contingent going down the last few years.
- In the last couple of years this project has had to evolve and adjust to the current political environment. It has now reached the point that they cannot take any gifts down with them as it is very difficult to cross the US/Mexico border with the gifts. Starting this year all the gifts will be purchased in Mexico. The Tucson club’s ability to continue to support the project is also changing which will increase the need for Canadian involvement if the project is to continue to flourish.
- The program has significant local support particularly of the Nogales Rotary club (which over the years of the program has evolved from a social club to a true service club) and the fire department or bomberos but also includes local and state politicians and representatives.
- Future visits may provide support to Casa de Elizabeth orphanage outside Nogales which receives no government funding and houses 60 children 18 years and under.
- They are always look for more people to join this them in early January…so members of Kitchener Grand River give it some thought if you would like to have a “hands on” Rotary experience. The 5 day trip costs approximately $1500US to participate and is a great opportunity for international service.