Arriving in Sosua

We have safely arrived in Sosua and the sun is shining. Our arrival went very smooth, thanks to the Rotarians of Sosua. All our hockey bags arrived, and we are off to the resort. Had a wonderful supper, and a nice relaxing evening. Good night.... our work begins tomorrow.

At Pearson Airport

Mary helping Marjie

Lining up with our bags

Amber hiding behind her bag

Loading the trailer

Nyenhuis brothers lending a hand to load the trailer today

Jean making sure all the bags are on by giving the final push.

72 hockey bags to the DR

Packed and ready to go!

Rotarians lending a hand

Fellow Rotarian's Vince, Gayle and Ron along with Jean and Dianne 

preparing medications to be taken.

Discovery Toys

Sherry, Ben & Jake playing with items purchased through Discovery Toys.

Thanks for your support.

Luncheon in the OR

On Tuesday 13th staff supported a luncheon in support of our upcoming mission.
Marjie and Amber hard at work!!

Thanks again.

Silent Auction at the HPHA Stratford Site

On Friday October 16th a silent auction was held in support of our upcoming mission.  Thanks to everyone for their support.

Baseball Equipment Donation

 

Jean Aitcheson, Paul Reece and Rena Spevack Orr show some of the donated baseball equipment that local volunteers will distribute to youngsters in the Dominican Republic later this month. (SCOTT WISHART, The Beacon Herald)

A local medical mission to the Dominican Republic will be covering all the bases later this month.

In addition to taking medical supplies for assessments and health-and-hygiene training, a team of 24 local volunteers will be carrying bags full of donated baseball equipment to give to village youngsters to help them enjoy the game.

The sport enjoys immense popularity in the Dominican. The country can even boast the second-highest number of Major League Baseball players, after the United States.

The humanitarian effort is thanks to the good will of parents and players of the Ontario Outlaws, a college prep program based in Guelph.

"This is giving kids an opportunity to play the game, youngsters who wouldn't even dream of the opportunities that our kids here in Canada have," said Outlaws president and general manager Paul Reece, of Stratford.

"We want to try to extend that dream to them."

Led by the indefatigable Jean Aitcheson -- the retired Stratford nurse who's been a facilitator and participant in missions for two decades -- the volunteers will target five villages on the island during a 12-day stay.

They'll be performing health checks and some lab work, like urinalysis and blood-sugar testing.

They'll also be giving reading glasses to those who need them, and offering fluoride treatments for youngsters aged five to 14.

As important as the medical work is, Aitcheson said the kids are bound to appreciate the sports equipment more.

"They're in isolated villages," she said. "We just want to give them some encouragement and show that people care about them.

"For them to have the opportunity to play…That's what we want."

Reece said he came up with the idea to offer the equipment after chatting with fellow Stratford YMCA board member Rena Spevack Orr, who is on the medical mission team.

He put the word out to the 60-or-so families in the Outlaws organization and has never looked back.

He dropped off three large bags full of cleats, balls, bats and uniforms on Friday, and expected to return with more jerseys and equipment this weekend.

"Five minutes before I came here today, I talked to one of my coaches and he said he just found a brand new helmet and brand new pair of spikes, never worn, sitting in his garage."

The trip is being run with the support of the Festival City Rotary Club, which is helping the team identify needs in partnership with Rotary clubs in the Dominican.

Three-quarters of the mission team are current or retired Stratford General Hospital staff members. Each pays his or her own way, and covers individual expenses.

But, as Aitcheson said, "the experience is priceless".

Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

1300 Toothbrushes donated, including toothpaste
Our sincere thanks to all family and friends who have donated toothbrushes and toothpaste. Every client through our clinic will receive a toothbrush and toothpaste. Fluoride treatments will also be given to the children.