OLDS — Five Rotarians from Olds are on their way to Mexico to drop off a couple of vehicles for use in that country.
They’re among a group of 16 Rotarians making the trek.
The Olds Rotarians — Jim Crawford, Randy Smith, Mary Turner, Steve Turner and Patsy Hickok — left town on Saturday and met up with their fellow Rotarians in Lethbridge. The entire 16-member group, known as Los Amigos, began the seven-day drive to Mazatlan, Mexico on Sunday, April 24.
In total, seven emergency vehicles will be delivered for use in Mexico.
The Olds group is driving a handibus donated by the Town of Olds as well as a 1996 ambulance, which was donated by Guardian Emergency Inc. owners Cor de Jong and Debbie Bennett.
Other vehicles donated include two firetrucks, two ambulances, two school buses, and the handibus.
They were provided courtesy of Rotary clubs across southern Alberta and Whitecourt.
It’s the first time in two years the group has been able to embark on the journey, due to past COVID restrictions.
Rotary Club of Olds publicity person Patsy Hickok says the group is thrilled to be able to make the trip once again.
“This just feels awesome. We’re very excited, we’re looking forward to it,” Hickok said during an interview. “We had it scheduled for February and then it got delayed again. So now, we’re finally going.”
The Los Amigos project began back in 2011 when a couple of Rotarians vacationing in Mexico learned that emergency vehicles were desperately needed in that country and that they could help make that happen.
These latest donations will bring the total number of vehicles provided to 60, organizers say.
