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July Clinic a success, despite Hurricane Emily!
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Message to all from Ruth, VIDAS Vice-President
A big thank you to everyone that helped and supported the VIDAS July clinic in Playa del Carmen. Despite being chased out of town early by Hurricane Emily, we had a very successful clinic and sterilized over 160 animals. We hosted daily education classes for the local children, led by VIDAS volunteer doctors Silvia Rodriguez and Celeste Park. The children came every day eager to learn and brought their friends. By the last day they filled the classroom! Please read about the education classes and other activities in the stories to come on the VIDAS home page.
Thank you to my core crew and to my new volunteers – you guys are the best! Everyone worked so hard in the heat and dirt and always with smiles and laughter. I am so proud of all of you and of the outstanding work we accomplished. It was inspirational! The July crew was: Dr. Meghann Burgland, Dr. Naomi Weber, Dr. Celeste Park, Dr. Silvia Rodriguez, Dr. Erica Periman, Dr. Bronwen Delaney, Dr. Felix Duerr, Dr. LeeAnn Toolan, Dr. Sherilynn Burkman, Dr. Ruth Parkin, Loni Queer and Charley Abernathy. I’m so thankful for you all and I look forward to working with you all again! Hopefully no hurricanes next time!
We made a lot of new friends during this clinic and around our clinic neighborhood in the Nicte-Ha area of Playa del Carmen. We’d like to thank the people of Nicte-Ha for their support and encouragement and for showing up day after day with smiles and hope on their beautiful faces.
There are a few people I’d like to extend special thanks to:
Special heartfelt thoughts and prayers from everyone at VIDAS to those along our Riveria Maya affected by Hurricane Emily. We are thinking of you all during this time of recovery and re-building and sending hopes for health and happiness to friends, neighbors and families.
The government of Playa del Carmen, Dr. Ignacil Bermudez Melendez, Dra. Sandra Valdez and Prof. Wenceslao Alcocer. Thank you for arranging for our location, allowing us to use the school rooms and supporting us with numerous supplies for the clinic. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you again in the future – together we share the vision of health and well-being for the animals and people of Playa del Carmen.
Sherry Stevens, our local superwoman, without whom this clinic would not have been possible. Sherry, there are no words big enough to express the depth of our gratitude for all your hard work! You’re amazing! Please visit Sherry’s website: www.travelrivieramaya.com
Dra. Sandra Valdez (Dir. Del Centro de Acopio y Control Canino y Felino). Muchas gracias, Sandra, for all your efforts in getting us supplies and for helping us every day. We wish you the best with your humane efforts on behalf of the animals of Playa del Carmen and look forward to our continued cooperative efforts in future clinics.
Dra Claudia Lewy-Sanchez (Clinica Veterinaria Playa del Carmen). As always, Claudia, we thank you for your continued support and efforts on our behalf. We could not do this without you!
Karen and Gary of Tulum and Dr. Juan Erazo Garcia of Tulum for housing and hauling our supplies. You are amazing, generous individuals and always a pleasure to be near. Best of luck with the grand opening of the new clinic in August.
Lavonna Redman and the entire Angel Notion staff. Our best wishes to you in your admirable and honorable work for the children of Playa del Carmen (www.angelnotion.com). We are proud to know you. And thank you for the delicous hot lunches – what a wonderful treat for a hard-working crew!
Dale and Marilynn, our Michigan angels. WOW! I’m still in awe of you two and your incredible capacity to give from your hearts. I’m so happy to have met and worked with you – you are an inspiration to us all. I sincerely hope that you will join us again - we miss you already!
Glenda Gabriel and Robin Tate – thanks for the help with transportation for the crew! It was very much appreciated!
Kike, thanks for your jokes, smiles and all your help with the animals, your talents as a dog-whisperer could take you far!
Colleen, Josh and Stella Taylor – thanks for bringing supplies all the way down on your vacation!
A special thank you to Yale Smith at Smith-Root Inc. (www.smith-root.com) for our beautiful new aluminum surgery tables. Yale, your metal working talents are impressive – the tables are beautiful and worked perfectly!
Thank you to the generous people who donated housing to our crew:
Laura and Hotel Tortuga (www.hotellatortuga.com)
Lyn Douglas and Tierra Maya Hotel
Cynthia and Frank Wiederman and the beautiful Casa Milagro (www.casamilagromx.com)
The one and only Mausy
Thank you to those supplying great food for our crew!
Thank you to Pamela and Tom Robins of the Blue Parrot Hotel for all the fabulous meals! (www.blueparrot.com) We appreciate your compassion for the animals and support of our visions. Thank you for opening your beautiful restaurant to us and for the much needed dinners, drinks and TLC for our crew
Jorge and Brenda (and of course, Ajua) of Ajua Maya Tequila Bar and Mayan Grill House (www.ajuamaya.com) Thanks for a very fun evening of great food and entertainment!
Each time we do a clinic, I am constantly thrilled and amazed at the generosity and dedication of our staff, volunteers and the people we meet along the way. It warms my heart to work alongside such admirable people. I am also thankful for people who find us on the internet, through friends, co-workers or other means and send us messages of support or donations to further our cause. Each little bit adds strength to our mission and gets us closer to achieving our goals. Thank you all for making VIDAS’ visions and work possible – lets keep it up!!
Cheers!
-Ruth,
VIDAS Vice-President
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