February 11-17, 2014 Weekly, Year 01, Number 20, 10,000 Copies,16 Pages
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COMMUNITY
TOUR NEW RED CROSS HOSPITAL
KKIS PROJECT Local Keep Kids in School charity auction raising funds for Playa's community schools.
DESTINATION COZUMEL
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COZUMEL CARNIVAL 2014 Rotarian leaders of Quintana Roo at the new Red Cross facility
BY PAUL HARRIS
A
s part of the ongoing effort to raise funds to provide medical equipment and supplies for Playa del Carmen’s new Red Cross hospital, the Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside hosted a tour of the facility for officers and members of other Quintana Roo Rotary Clubs on Saturday. The tour was arranged
by Chicago Rotarian John Schwandke, a winter resident of Puerto Aventuras, who has proposed a Rotary partnership that will raise the $20,000.00 USD required to provide the hospital with up to $400,000.00 USD worth of equipment and supplies. It is proposed that they be acquired through Project C.U.R.E., a non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado, that collects and inventories dona-
tions from U.S. hospitals and makes them available to hospitals in need abroad. As the visitors gathered in the hospital’s brightly lit and inviting lobby they were welcomed by Red Cross Board of Directors member Teresa Jiménez Rodríguez and Administrative Director Horacio Moreno Trinidad, who conducted the tour. As the visitors moved from area to area they were impressed by the design of the new facility, but also by the need for beds, equipment, and supplies that will allow them to serve the community more effectively. The morning’s big highlight was meeting with the Red Cross’ youth group, who were assembled in their meeting room on the second floor.
The young peoples’ infectious enthusiasm for their Red Cross involvement was obvious, especially when the visitors were greeted with chants that sounded like cheers at an American college football game that led the Rotarians to burst into a round of applause. The tour concluded with a question and answer session led by John Schwandke and Seaside Rotary President Doug Morgan. Visiting Rotarians learned more about the project, and were asked to return to their own clubs and solicit additional support. Additional information about the Rotary and Red Cross initiatives can be obtained by contacting project chair Bob Hyde at bobrotarypdcseaside@gmail.com.
The carnival events have begun! Discover one of the most popular and colorful Mardi Gras of the Caribbean. PAGE 12
DINING OUT
Photos: Lisa love
LOCAL ROTARIANS
RESTAURANT REVIEW
This week we visit Chicago Beef, for the authentic taste of traditonal American cuisine. PAGE 8