Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

It's only been about 30 minutes since we published information on how you can tell, but we've just received additional information from Betty Prentki who has been sending information between area organizations.

This photo is looking down toward the highway from near the location of the guard shack. That's the store over at the right.

Good evening -- here is the information I received this evening. Any and all help will be appreciated.

The highway is now open to traffic, however, it is requested that you not attempt to drive through the area unless it is absolutely necessary.

The clean up crews are still working and unnecessary traffic can create havoc. So, please, give the workers some space to maneuver their equipment and to expedite the clean-up process.

We ask that individuals wishing to help drop off their supplies at the local collection points in Ajijic and Chapala, rather than driving these supplies to San Juan Cosalá.

Lake Chapala Society
Has arranged with the Ajijic Delogado 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 purchase the supplies, they need the following:

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.

A drop off location for supplies has been set up in Ajijic at the corner of Colón and Hidalgo (next to the police station at Delegación de Ajijic. Contact Jayme at littlejazzjr@yahoo.com or call 766-3994 for more information.

They are accepting:
Food - roasted chicken, tortillas, cans of beans, tuna, etc that have pop tops, bottled water, juices, fresh fruit. (In other words items that are ready to eat.)
Bedding - sheets, pillows, especially blankets
Toiletries -- toilet paper, toothbrushes and paste, towels, soap, microdyne, diapers, etc.

Lake Chapala Shrine Club is collecting money to buy supplies. Perry 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, 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. Please follow the following instructions:

Checks: If you are writing a check make it out to 'Cruz Roja Chapala', they will provide receipts, including tax deductible receipts for U.S. You can drop your donations of at Cruz Roja in Chapala, Lake Chapala Society.

Go to Cruz Roja Website and donate via Pay Pal or Major Credit Card. The web address is: http://www.cruzrojachapala.com/.

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.

Some good news:
A ranch above the Raquet Club only accessible by horseback was not damaged. The ranch and all of the horses, donkeys, crops, etc all are okay except one kitten is missing.

Tia Lupita Restaurante served over 800 meals on Wednesday. Today by 5:30 p.m. they had served over 950 meals and expect many more later this evening. The food is generally beans, rice, (canned, or dry) milk, fruit, and juice, (which is made from fresh fruits).

They say although it is a bad disaster area, spirits are high and just about everyone is pitching in from food donations, cooking,serving using picks, shovels etc helping to dig out.

Viva Mexico! VIVA!