Guadalajara Reporter

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Written by GR Staff
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Dear Sir, Help San Juan Cosala is a group of concerned expatriate and Mexican Lakeside residents involved with the San Juan Cosala emergency since September 12. Our experience is varied and includes disaster and emergency relief, community and organizational development, communications, fund-raising, business and arts and entertainment. We are operating with the explicit approval and under the umbrella of Jocotepec Mayor Felipe Rangel Vargas and the San Juan Delegado Noe Moya. All of us were disturbed by reports in the Mexican press of a confused, disorganized emergency response. As well, we were troubled by the rumors in the media that aid did not reach the people most affected by the early morning mud and rockslides and flooding. None of this could be farther from the truth. In the scheme of things, this was one of the "neatest" and most focused emergency responses that some of us have seen during our careers. First responders (volunteer, federal, state, municipal) acted with dedication and professionalism. There were upward of 18 agencies on the scene, from the Red Cross to the DIF and local organizations, to the Mexican Army and state and municipal dependencies. Many municipalities besides Jocotepec sent experienced teams, including Chapala, Zapopan, Tlajomulco, Guadalajara and others. The outpouring of donations was nothing short of amazing. The emergency is over, but there is much work still to be done during the recovery and reconstruction phase. Donations will be needed for a long while to come. We'll continue to get lists of needs to be covered out to the public through the media, mailing lists, and friendly blogs and will post the bank information regarding where to send monetary donations. Help San Juan Cosala, in coordination with the Jocotepec municipality and San Juan Delegation, among others, are sponsoring a Revitalize San Juan Cosala event on October 20 and 21 in San Juan. It will be a wonderful weekend filled with music, dance, performances, art, raffles, food and fun ... all to raise funds for the reconstruction, recovery and revitalization needs. Cooperating venues include Ruben's Grill, Restaurant Tia Lupita, Café Saga, AMSIF (the old Cultural Center), Hospitalito and the main plaza. Stay tuned for our posters and advertising in the local papers and magazines. We hope to see everyone there. The Committee To Help San Juan Cosala (Alicia Salcido, Augustin Vazquez, Brenda Carol, Jayme Littlejohn, Karine Johnson, Peter Palmer, Robyn Ziebert, Susan Reynolds).