To deliver fire trucks, ambulances, and buses to fire departments, not-for-profit associations, and municipal hospitals in communities throughout Mexico.
The Highway to Mexico project would not be possible without the collaboration between the Rotary Clubs of Grande Prairie, along with the Edson Rotary Club and the Peace River Rotary Club.
To date:
Over 125 Vehicles Delivered
In smaller cities and villages around Mazatlán, Mexico, emergency services lack equipment and vehicles to effectively aid residents. Many communities rely on old pick-up trucks and portable pumps as their firefighting service, with little-to-no access to ambulances for transport to hospitals.
Along with the vehicles, there is a high need for firefighting gear, ambulance equipment, and other supplies to outfit these types of vehicles and personnel as needed.
The Highway to Mexico Project was launched more than 20 years ago by the Rotary Clubs of Grande Prairie to collect monetary and material donations to supply these communities with emergency service vehicles and equipment. Material donations include:
Monetary donations are used to purchase more equipment and used vehicles. The equipment is then loaded into all of the vehicles, with volunteers forming a convoy in the early fall to deliver vehicles directly to the communities in need.
In the 20 years that Highway to Mexico has been active, over one million dollars worth of equipment has been delivered. With the proper equipment at the ready, many firefighters and medical practitioners have been able to save more lives and protect themselves in the process.
With growing access to these vehicles and equipment, several fire departments in smaller cities and villages around Mazatlán have been able to open, creating more jobs for residents and protecting more communities.
Here’s how you can support Rotary’s Highway to Mexico initiative:
In addition to the drivers needed in the convoy, volunteers are also welcome to help collect and load all of the gear and equipment into the vehicles before they make their way south.
Highway to Mexico has ever-increasing costs for vehicles, maintenance, travel, and fuel. To ensure that our project can continue, your financial and volunteering support can go a long way. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for fundraisers or contact us to donate directly.
Many of our equipment and vehicle donations come from municipalities, fire departments, school boards, and many other organizations looking to upgrade their current equipment. Since this project began, less than ten vehicles have been taken out of service due to their age, meaning there is equipment out there with plenty of life left. Share our contact information with organizations who are looking to give their equipment a second life.
