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Heart 2 Heart – 100 in 100 Club-to-Club Projects

… creates opportunities for Rotarians in both countries to spotlight the power of Rotary

100 in 100 logoHeart 2 Heart’s Club-to-Club Projects (the “100 in 100” program)

On April 1, 2021, Mexico celebrated 100 years of Rotary service in Mexico. The Ciudad de Mexico club was chartered on that day 100 years ago and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dallas, Texas. This anniversary created opportunities for Rotarians in both countries. For Mexico, it was a chance to spotlight Rotary all over Mexico and to engage more of their clubs with the US and perhaps in some cases even more with their communities. For the US partners, it was a chance to get more clubs (and hopefully more districts) directly involved on the club to club level.

The celebration project was designed to engage at least 100 different US clubs to do service projects in Mexico during 2020-21 and 2021-22 (the “100 in 100” Program). These service projects ranged in size from approximately $500 to $10,000 USD, with a shopping list of opportunities for US clubs, depending upon their interest and funding options. US district grants could be used where available.

What this concept also does is to help the US clubs get more directly connected with Mexico club partners. Once this is done, more projects of all sizes can be done moving forward on a club-to-club level. Everybody wins, and most importantly, more people in need in Mexico will benefit from Rotary’s service.

The program is led by a US Rotarian team (headed by PDG Ron Appuhn, D6780 TN) working with a Mexico Rotarian team (headed by Reiner Jahn, D4170) that represents their entire country and works closely with FURMEX. Past District Governor Roger Sims (D6540 IN) organized and started the processes in the beginning and was serving as the US coordinator until his sudden death in late October 2019. Rotarians in both countries have lost a great friend, and we all have made even stronger commitments to make this program a success to honor Roger and his family.

Mexico clubs prepared project proposals from July through late October 2019 for review by the 100 in 100 teams. Project selection by US clubs and districts began in 2020 and is on-going. The COVID-19 pandemic challenges altered the timing and implementation of the projects, but we are continuing to move forward. Over 50 projects have been completed to date.

Rotarians in Mexico and the US continue to work on compiling all the potential partnering opportunities. The lists of projects will be updated from time to time, so we encourage interested clubs to review the lists periodically.

Thank you for your interest in the 100 in 100 program and in helping to make a difference for those in need in Mexico!

Questions or comments about the 100 in 100 program (and any of the project opportunities listed below) can be addressed to Ron Appuhn (rappuhn53@yahoo.com).

Updated March 26, 2024

100 in 100 Club-to-Club Project Opportunities                                                          March 26, 2024

Projects ready for immediate or future funding

1 Tlalpan Golf Mexico (D4170) – Girls’ Empowerment book for 2024-25 – $6,000 US share needed

In 2022-23, the Tlalpan Golf Mexico club created and printed 1,000 copies of an initial short book that promotes girls’ empowerment through a regional story. The books are written and designed by local authors and artists, with target age ranges based upon each different book and with trial readings. Over time the goal is to create and print 8 different books and expand from club distribution to district distribution to national distribution. This second and third books are being developed for printing in 2023-24 and will be fully funded soon. The fourth book is planned for 2024-25, and the US share of $6,000 will pay for the printing portion of 1,000 books.

Additional project opportunities will be added as soon as more information is provided by the Mexico host clubs. FURMEX is working with the clubs to develop several projects in the upcoming months. Although there is not a long list of projects that we are publishing, projects in almost any area of focus can be identified upon specific request.

Projects that are on-going and can be promoted and supported:

1 Tlalpan Golf Mexico club (D4170) – scholarship for La Quinta (Unnido Foundation) children to attend Montessori school – $1,300 annual or $110 per month per student, based  on current exchange rates

2 Tlalpan Golf Mexico club (D4170) – support for programs for La Quinta (Unnido Foundation) children (food, medicines and medical support, education and personal development, general support) – any financial support helps

3 Programs that address disabilities (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, mobility carts, prosthetic hands)

a. World Access Project (Richard St, Denis) – non-profit that serves the disabled with refurbished and personalized wheelchairs and some additional devices for the disabled

  • Transportation costs for a container of used and refurbished wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and canes – up to $13,000 per container
  • Annual Amigs Verdados camp for wheelchair users to learn how to maneuver through obstacles, play sports, do crafts, and give motivational presentations – $5,000
  • Annual international wheelchair tennis tournament in Mazatlan – $5,000
  • Tires, armrests, seats and back upholstery, cushions, and other parts needed to refurbish wheelchairs – $8,000 annually

b. Mobility Worldwide (Wayne Beare, Gary Moreau) – non-profit that provides mobility carts for people in places where wheelchairs are ineffective – $350 per mobility cart

c. Aztec Ministry (Tami Beller Gaddis) – non-profit that serves indigenous Aztec communities through various programs including medical brigades, optometry brigades, mobility carts, and literacy materials – any financial support helps (specific project list and costs are available)

Project opportunities with other cooperating partners

Refurbished ambulances – One World Medics (Bryan Peterson)

Refurbished fire trucks & firefighter equipment – Baja Bridges (Katherine Van Diest)

Wheelchair Foundation – FURMEX (Reiner Jahn)

Devlyn Foundation – mass vision assessments (possible hands-on project for Spanish speaking Rotarians – FURMEX (Reiner Jahn)