October 19, 2008:
Lions John Roundy of the Monroe Lions and Glen Spring of the Albany Lions and their wives left Wisconsin for Texas and Mexico to participate in another Wisconsin Lions eye glass mission. On this same date, a caravan of vehicles consisting of one bus, one ambulance, one pick-up, and the "Mission to Mexico" trailer, all loaded with supplies and equipment for some needy people in Mexico, left from Beloit for the trip south. This caravan took a different route than we did, so I can only write about our trip.
October 20:
After an overnight stay in Blackwell, Oklahoma, we continued south to Goliad, Texas, where we spent our second night out.
October 21:
Continued south and arrived in McAllen, Texas at 11:00am where we met with personnel at the McAllen Chamber to discuss further missions to get information as to where we are most needed in Mexico. Also, we transferred about 20 boxes of school and cosmetic supplies to a girls orphanage located in Reynosa, Mexico.
October 22:
After an overnight stay in McAllen, we traveled to Brownsville, Texas, where we met up with the caravan and other Wisconsin Lions who flew in. This entire group was met by a group of Lions from Matamoros, Mexico, who put us up for the night.
October 23:
Boarded a bus for the four hour ride to Victoria, Mexico, where we set up all our equipment and glasses. During the next four four day clinic, we saw approximately 2,250 needy people. Many more people are in need of this service, so as long as glasses are available and volunteers are willing, these missions will continue.
October 28:
We attended a meeting with the Mayor of Victoria where he expressed his gratitude for our services and invited us back very soon as many more are in need. Then, we boarded a bus for the trip back to Brownsville, where the group disbanded and headed back home.
Next missions:
Three in january and February 2009
Respectfully submitted,
PDG Glen A Spring