Ken Birmingham
Special to the Observer
As a dedicated Lion, our motto is “we serve”. Today (Mar. 18, 2013), I did just that.
Coming from Canada — where I am happy to say that the folks who fall through the cracks in the floorboards are generally looked after by either the government or by volunteer organizations — here in the Baja you can see people who simply can’t get help.
The problem is generally at both ends of the age scale, the young and the old have a hard time. The sick also have a hard time.
Today was one of those feel good days to be a Lion. Elena from Loreto invited me to help with her Meals on Wheels initiative called Rice and Beans.
This is not a charity. It is a few dedicated people in Loreto who are trying their best to help those in need.
On Saturday I helped to pack 40 food hampers of rice, corn flour, eggs, fruit, beans, cereal, and so on. All of this was donated or paid for by local Loreto folks.
On Monday morning I loaded everything into the back of my truck and off we went to some of the poorest areas in Loreto.
It took us three hours of driving through the local hills (Colinas) and other areas to deliver the food. Some were young families and some were old folks. The response from the mums and their beautiful young children would bring tears to most people’s eyes.
Thank you Elena, her husband Juan, and friend Lupita for letting me help. You are the salt of the earth; without you the world would be a lot poorer.
Yes, I feel good tonight for helping to bring a little cheer to these people, I know we Canadians can do a lot more to help.
Lion Senor Ken.