Mission Acomplished

There cannot be a more appropriate quote to convey what took place between Rotarians of different countries and different cultures in completing a matching grant for an ambulance to donate to the Red Cross in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. In looking at what was accomplished in completing the matching grant each part of what PPRI Dochterman stated will ring true to the very heart of Rotary and its goals. In 2007, Rotarians from District 5790 participated in a wheelchair project with the Rotarians of District 4160. During that trip lifelong friendships were forged and bonds as Rotarians became unbreakable. The next year, 2008, the Rotarians from both countries met once again for the sole purpose of helping others in Leon, Mexico. It was during this 2008 trip that a need was observed to have more medical transportation, i.e. ambulances for the Red Cross in Leon Mexico. With more than 1.8 million people living and working in and around Leon, Mexico it became apparent that something needed to be done to provide help. After a brief discussion between the Rotarians, prior to leaving Mexico, the Rotarians of Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club decided that a matching grant to provide an ambulance to the Red Cross would be a worthy cause to embark upon. The Rotarians returned to their club and presented the idea to the Board of Directors. It was a unanimous decision to start the grant. All of the work that would be required to accomplish the goal could not be done by one club and therefore Arlington Sunrise sought a partner club. Arlington North Rotary Club stepped up to the plate and volunteered to participate in the grant. With everyone on board that meant that this one international cause to help others by 'providing an ambulance to the Red Cross in Leon, Mexico' now had the attention of three clubs, two districts and The Rotary Foundation. The grant was written and the money collected through The Rotary Foundation. It has been said that there are Rotarians among us that are not members of a Rotary Club. This could not be truer than when the Rotarian's started seeking an ambulance to purchase for the Red Cross. The Rotarians found an ambulance in Comanche, Texas, USA for sale and upon contacting the owner with the intentions for purchasing the ambulance the owner decided to offer two ambulances for the price of the one the Rotarians were looking at purchasing. This meant that the grant for an ambulance now became a grant that could provide two ambulances to the Red Cross. From that point the Rotarians in the United States and Mexico worked diligently to procure the necessary documentation to transport the ambulances to Leon Mexico through Nuevo Laredo, Texas, USA. On August 3, 2009, Rotarian Don Ferrell and Rotarian Christopher J. McLucas, with the donated assistance of Kelly McKnight of Arlington, Texas, loaded the ambulances on a trailer and left for the nine hour drive to the border. Rotarian Jorge Solalinde, Past President of the Leon Mexico Rotary Club and Rotarian Brian Keathley of the Arlington North Rotary Club met Ferrell and McLucas in Nuevo Laredo to officially transfer the ambulances to the Leon Rotary Club for importation into Mexico. The ambulances were then driven to Leon Mexico on August 5, 2009 for the dedication ceremony that took place on August 7, 2009 at the Red Cross during yet another wheelchair distribution in Leon, Mexico. The beginning quote by PPRI Dochterman was taken to heart by the Rotarians as evidence by their persistent efforts and their desire to help others. What better way to see the benefits and power of Rotary than to see that people who were complete strangers for most of their lives were brought together to accomplish a goal that will, without a doubt, change the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people in the years to come. The most powerful aspect of this project was the true friendships that have forever been enriched by simply, helping others. Service above self, what more can really be said?