EXTRA**EXTRA**Canadians Invade Marana **BREAKING NEWS**
Gary and Debbie Conover myself and George went to El Charro to meet traveling Canadian Rotarians. Lo and behold they were not there. Debbie made some calls and we found them at the Best Western Inn on Ina in Marana.
These are passionate Canadian Rotary members of that are delivering six ambulances to Mexico.
They left Sunday from Canada and today, Wednesday, arrived in Tucson. What lovely people. They have been conducting this program for four years. In Canada once an emergency vehicle is over ten years old they can no longer use it. The Rotary club of Lethbriidge East has taken it upon themselves to obtain these vehicles. They are DONATED! Over time they have been able to find used hoses out of Oakland California and some new EMT uniforms.
The club pays some of the expenses for the driivers. They pay for gas, lodging and air-fare home. The driver is responsible for their meals and miscellaneous items which could amount to as much as a thousand dollars for a seven to eight day trip.
Several clubs in their district participate. Each club can get matching funds from the district.
In Canada they have shops that have donated their time and monies to help bring the vehicles up to par. They are trying to work with high school auto shops and junior college auto shops.
At the Mexican border they must pass emission tests as well as mechanical tests.
In Mexico they have commitments from shops and businesses to maintain the vehicles.
In the offing they have a program to deliver 38 school buses. In conjunction with the Mexican government they hope to change a law that says a bus cannot be older than ten years old. There is a company ready to donate the buses.
We were very impressed with their dedication and commitment.
Many of the drivers have done this every year. They have become a very close knit group. We met one of the ladies that was doing everyone’s laundry as well as ironing the clothes. This is true dedication,
We wish them well and will try to meet up with them next year. The following are the participants:
Rotary Club of Pincher Creek, Doug Thornton, Lynn Brasnett, Rotary Club of Fort Macleod, Henry Van Hierden, Rotary Club of Cardston, James Henline, Larry Schow, Rotary Club of Lethbridge Sunrise, Jim Campbell, Greg Tiffin, Ed Kaustinen, Rita Boltezar, Irm Kuhn, Richard Tamkin, Rotary Club of Lethbridge East, Bob Jones, Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Wayne Stewart, Jack Yaeck, Rotary Club of Calgary Fish Creek, John Fortunka, Other supporters meeting them in Mazatlan, Evon Jones,and Berga Moen..
