Rotary's aim is terrific

Meaghan Collins and Patrick Dykes, Highland High School seniors, are in Mexico as part of a trip by Rotarians to deliver fire trucks to communities in desperate need of fire equipment. This is a great trip for the two students who are part of Interact, the Rotary club for high school students. They will see the pyramids and Mexico City. It’s an even greater trip for Rotary, which will be providing lifesaving measures where they are needed most.

The man behind the Rotary’s Indiana-district Mexican Initiative is Claude Johnson of Crawfordsville. He heard a quote from Mexican President Vicente Fox asking rich Americans to help his poorer communities. It made sense to Claude. He began rounding up used fire equipment and used trucks to send south of the border.

He eventually wants to send 10 trucks and three have been sent. The Anderson Fire Department has sent down clothing and even defibrillators to departments often lacking even the most rudimentary gear for fighting fires. The equipment will not only aid people trapped in fire, but firefighters walking into the blazes.

Muncie’s Martin Limbird has been coordinating the efforts begun by Johnson. On Saturday, Limbird, Johnson, Collins and Dykes, along with other Rotarians, will be on hand for the ceremony unveiling the latest truck.

The students have been responsible for doing fundraising for the trucks, which cost about $1,000, and plan to keep raising funds on their return.

This is a terrific program on the part of the central Indiana Rotary clubs. (Disclosure: The Herald Bulletin’s executive editor, Lisa Allen, is a Rotary member.) Besides the obvious, the initiative accomplishes a number of things. For the students, it allows them to meet Mexican Rotarians and share ideas. It also instills in them an appreciation for Rotary values. Limbird calls the club a global network of community volunteers.

Rich America ought to help out poorer neighbors in other countries. Patrick’s dad, Dan Dykes, deputy fire chief at AFD, said the equipment that has been sent down isn’t used here except for training, and the defibrillators need batteries. If someone else can get some good out of those things, and save lives in the process, it’s imperative that we all help.

We applaud these good works by the Rotarians and those supporting them who took it upon themselves to aid in firefighting. We take it for granted that a trained, fully equipped fire crew will be on hand should we need them. If Rotary can help the Mexican people also take this lifesaving service for granted, they’ve captured the essence of volunteering: giving of themselves and equipment and saving lives and property.