Needed: Dive Mules

[Guba]

Okay, first let me say that the "mules" we need in this case have nothing to do with the illicit drug trade. Rather, we're trying to do something very positive for the entire island of Cozumel.
The Christian Divers of Texas (CDOT) and Christian Divers of Oklahoma (CDOO) are working in conjunction to assist the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) of Cozumel. The Red Cross operates a full time ambulance service and emergency medical clinic that serves the entire population. Hurricane Wilma devastated the Red Cross just as it did the rest of the island, damaging two of their three ambulances and draining the organization's supplies and resources. Basic expendible supplies such as latex gloves, medicines, bandages and other items are exhorbitantly expensive due to shipping costs.
This is where our diving organizations are going to help. We are going to establish a conduit of divers who will use their spare luggage space and weight allotments to ferry donated supplies to the Red Cross in Cozumel every time they make a trip down there. The first "shipment" will take place this weekend (June 9-12) when CDOT makes a trip and sends a team to recon what other materials are needed.
We welcome anyone who wants to be a part of this effort. Just contact me by email at ChristianDiversofTexas@hotmail.com for more details or how to help. Let's make a difference!

 

[scubawife]

Guba, there's a woman in the US (NY I think) who has been working officially for awhile with the Cruz Roja in Cozumel. She posts regularly on www.cozumelmycozumel.com and gives her email address. If I remember correctly here name is Debbie (or Deb) and she regular contact with them, a bank account for donations and purchasing supplies, etc., and is always looking for people to take needed supplies. You might want to get in touch with her and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to have your assistence. Since she's already set up in this capacity it might be more efficient and you won't duplicate efforts and you can make sure you are bring the items they need when they need them.

 

[Guba]

Scubawife
Thank you very much for the heads up. I have, indeed, been in touch with Debbie for the last week or so and she's been instrumental in introducing us to the needed contacts at the Red Cross in Cozumel. She's arranged for us to meet with the director and get a tour of the facilities. Thank you for your concern and willingness to assist. I'll let you know how our efforts go this weekend. Thanks!

 

[scubawife]

Scubawife
Thank you very much for the heads up. I have, indeed, been in touch with Debbie for the last week or so and she's been instrumental in introducing us to the needed contacts at the Red Cross in Cozumel. She's arranged for us to meet with the director and get a tour of the facilities. Thank you for your concern and willingness to assist. I'll let you know how our efforts go this weekend. Thanks!

Glad to hear you've already made the right contacts. My husband is an EMT and puts in about 80hrs a month with an ambulance corp that is about 90% volunteer. He also participates in ongoing training for disaster management and unpleasant events. It's sad to think that supplies that are so affordable and readily available here are precious commodities in some locations. Whenever possible we try to donate either money or supplies to the ambulance corps and bomberos in areas we travel to.

Good on you for taking on this task! I hope you have a good response and I know that it will be a rewarding experience for you.