Auggie discusses this year’s mission to Guatemala.

A recap of the 2018 Guatemala Community Service Project was presented by our very own Auggie Gonzales last week. He had just recently returned from leading this year’s mission to Central America, and gave a brief look at the history and benefits of the annual trip.

“It’s really been about relationships,” he said. “We have developed extremely close relationships with the people of El Hato. There have been benefits to them in many areas, including medical, electrical, water, education and micro banking activities.”

And a little more than half of all the patients served are children.

Auggie posed St. Augustine’s question, “What does love look like?” And answered, “This project is what love looks like. We have been loving on people who are in need.”

History

Auggie has been involved with this project since 2004, and has seen many changes over the years.  “In 2004, when we started, there were steep, dirt roads that took hours to travel. We wore handkerchiefs to keep volcanic dust out of our respiratory systems. There was no electricity, and we did mostly extractions.”   By 2015, roads were paved, power was available, and dental hygiene and a musculoskeletal team were added to the services provided. Most importantly, by educating and treating some of the same people year after year, dental health in the population had improved.

Many club members were credited for their past involvement, including Leroy Benham, Mike Caruso (and family), Jim McMaster (and family) and Grant Austin. “Grant, Ken Austin’s grandson, came along on the mission in 2015. We wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without the Rotodent program and the work of Ken Austin,” Auggie said.  He also mentioned Marni Haley, Ralph Koozer, Lynn Montoya Quinn, Jan Winder, Walter Want, Nicole McIntyre and Paul Jellum.

He especially acknowledged Allen Methven, who was instrumental in the dental component of the program. “Allen suggested we involve OHSU students,” he said. Auggie’s son happened to be in that program and Auggie suggested he invite a friend. “Word got out and the following year there was a group of 8 students!”

Overall, Auggie said Rotarians have provided major support. “These people give up 10 days of income, pay their own air fare and room board,” he said.

Dental Hygiene

Auggie’s son is the 4th of his 5 children who have joined in on the trip. As a student at Pacific University, he helped recruit dental hygiene students to participate. A strong relationship has now been developed with the school, and the students have helped create a data form that is widely used.

Physical Therapy, Too

Auggie’s wife, Maureen, provides physical therapy, too. Rotarians in the Antigua club help with groundwork, recruit patients to clinics and set up appointments ahead of time. “It is not difficult to find patients for Maureen,” he said. She has helped with a wide variety of ailments, including helping moms who carry 2 or 3 children at a time and whose hips and knees are hurting.

Each year brings some type of unforeseen challenge and this year was no different. In fact, it brought two. The first was finding out right before departure that their lodging had been cancelled. Luckily, Auggie was able to locate a replacement. The other was losing his camera in the Mexico City airport on his way home. REALLY luckily, he got it back. “Miracles do happen,” he smiled.

Yes, they do. And Auggie and his family are a miracle, too –leading and maintaining a program which has had a tremendous influence on many lives.

AUCTION UPDATE

“It’s not about what you get. It’s about what you give.”  That reminder about the true purpose of our auction– to raise funds for scholarships and other charitable causes– was shared by Corey Zielsdorf and Past President Leah Griffith as they gave an update on the April 28 event.  Leah mentioned that some great new items had been donated, but the number of donations is still lagging behind.  Golden Tickets and dinner tickets are still available for purchase, too. She also asked for photos from any beneficiaries of the auction to include in visual presentations. If you have some, please email them to her.  Don’t forget to check out our auction Facebook page and see all the awesome wine that has been donated already! More help still needed in that department, too.  Donations can be dropped off at Newberg Ford.

GUESTS

Kaheela Reid from George Fox University was a guest of Auggie Gonzales and also took the photos of Auggie this week. Thanks, Kaheela.

Jackie Lane, wife of Past President Jeff Lane, attended to pass on creative ideas for bundling items–like a musical performance with a venue–to donate to the auction. So, if you haven’t donated yet, please activate your left-side brain and see if you can come up with a fabulous package.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 9

“Prepare Outloud,” an earthquake preparedness presentation by the Red Cross, is scheduled for April 9 from 5 to 8pm. The event will also include a “Preparedness Fair,”  and will held at the Newberg Christian Church, 2315 Villa Road.  Free to attend. Preparedness Fair 5-8 pm, Red Cross presentation 6-7:30 pm.

May 19

Don’t forget about the event Dale Welcome is hosting called “Newberg Water for Life” on Saturday, May 19.  Sponsored by World Vision, it’s a global 6k walk/run to help bring clean water to people in need.  Registration is $50 and includes a unique race bib with the photo of a child benefiting from clean water, as well as a tee-shirt. To register, go to worldvision6k.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

 Corey Zielsdorf also mentioned his oldest daughter received notice of a full-ride scholarship to the University of San Diego, and is deciding what to do. “She will make the right choice,” he said. Fingers crossed for Corey’s budget.

Judy Robinson reported that the local Interact (high school) club is collecting food and hygiene items for the homeless. Donations will gratefully be accepted at this week’s meeting.

NEXT MEETING

 As we all know, Peace is one of Rotary’s six Areas of Focus. In an effort to see that Rotarians receive information and training on peacebuilding skills, this week’s program will feature communication skills–and in particular, active, compassionate listening skills that can be of benefit your entire life, at home or at work. Reminder: We’re meeting at Friendsview this week.