Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

Update from Betty Prentki and The Lakeside Little Theater

I had a long conversation with the Saucedo's this morning, who live in the village. Bishop Mel & Catherine spent yesterday afternoon talking to persons affected by this disaster.

One young girl was upset because she couldn't go to school. Her mother told Caterine that all the school uniforms, supplies and shoes are gone. Once the schools begin to open, these children will need new school supplies. These will be added at the appropriate time.

Needed Supplies Collections by Organizations, Contacts
All items marked in bold or with an asterisk (*) are newly added information. Please check these notations. All other information for those who wish to help are added here for your convenience, so you do not have to refer back to older emails.

*The Head of Disaster Management informs us that it is ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT that donations be taken to the CENTER FOR DISTRIBUTION located to the left of the church. PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE ON YOUR OWN...Disaster Management needs to make sure that items get to where they are most needed.

*These items can now be taken directly to San Juan Cosalá to the square where you will be directed to the drop off office. PLEASE try not to take just a few items, but coordinate with neighbors and friends to take full carloads to keep the traffic down. This drop off center is starting to replace the Delegación in Ajijic where drop off has been difficult traffic-wise.

(And Please Think individually-sized containers, not large bulk quantities)
*Shoes
*Underwear
*Socks
(Only the above clothing items, please no other clothing at this time.)
Boxed ultrapasturized milk--please no more dry milk
Towels (bath)
Shampoo (individual, small sizes)
Scrub brushes
Soap bars for bathing and washing clothes
Soap for washing clothes
Brooms
Mops
Buckets
bottled water
tooth brushes and paste

Lake Chapala Society
Has arranged with the Ajijic dellogado to deliver donations to people affected by the tromba. If you donate money to Lake Chapala Society for the San Juan Cosalá Relief, they will buy the necessary supplies and have them trucked to the disaster area, or if you prefer to bring the supplies; see the list of supplies above.

LCS is also taking names of those who have space available to house residents who have lost their homes; or their homes are so damaged that they uninhabitable--ask for Charlie Smith.

ALL coordination is handled through Protection Civil Jalisco. LCS is working through the Delagodo in Ajijic and they communicate with San Juan Cosalá, so San Juan Cosalá get only what is needed. On Friday, they delivered food to Jocotepec ($12,000 pesos worth). The municipal building in Jocotepec is housing some 200 people and if you are on the West side of San Juan Cosalá this is a good place to drop of any supplies.

*Mary's Restaurant in Jocotepec and Lupitas (Viva Mexico!) in San Juan Cosalá are continuing to prepare an enormous amount of food each day and they continue to need donations of food to prepare. Check with your butcher or take out some chickens, and other typical foods--cooking oil, dry beans, dry rice, vegetables, etc.

*It was announced today that Lupitas is serving 2500 meals per day, and have, every day since the storm.

Lake Chapala Shrine Club
The Shriners are collecting money to buy supplies. Perry King is in contact with Mayor Gerardo Degollado and the Red Cross. This will assure that we are giving the most urgent supplies when needed. Contacts are: Ana Maria DeFry, (376) 763-5227; cell 01-333-455-3802, email defryangeloanamaria@prodigy.net.mx or Perry King email pking@mexicowireless.com

Cruz Roja Chapala Along with everything else they do, Cruz Roja will take cash or check donations.

Cruz Roja can no longer take physical supplies, these need to be delivered directly to DIF in Chapala as listed below. You can deliver your supplies directly to DIF. DIF is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am--4 pm at:
Degallado #327, Chapala
765-2849 or 765-3349

Even though they are not accepting physical articles, they will continue to accept your cash and checks to help fund this relief effort. If you are writing a check make it out to 'Cruz Roja Chapala', they will provide receipts. If you need a tax deductible receipt for U.S. CRIVC,INC (Cruz Roja International Volunteers Chapala, Inc.). You can drop your donations of at Cruz Roja in Chapala, Lake Chapala Society, or you can go to Cruz Roja Website and donate via Pay Pal or Major Credit Card. The web address is: http://www.cruzrojachapala.com/ . People unable to use the Internet or get to LCS can call Norm Pifer 766-0616 or Charlie Klestadt 766-3671 or Rich Bailey 766-3051 to arrange for check/cash pickup.

So they can properly distribute the funds please label your donations 'San Juan Cosalá Relief'. If you wish your contribution be used only for Chapala, please mark it accordingly.

Animal Shelter
If you wish to donate dog or cat food, please take it to the Animal Shelter in Riberas. They will be sure the food is taken to San Juan Cosalá.

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Judy King is publisher of  Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.

Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.

Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.