The most successful fundraising season in FOB history is still underway.

Thanks to our many donor/sponsors in both the United States and Canada, $22,700 USD have been contributed to support university scholarships for 31 Barrón students. Most student sponsors are EDM residents.

Many donors who served as volunteer doctors, dentists, hygienists, and nurses in past FOB clinics have generously donated to the start-up and temporary operation of the new, permanent Barrón Medical/Dental Clinic. A total of $31,750 USD was raised so far from these donors, their friends and family, EDM residents, and those that responded to our internet-based fund-raising campaign.

American, Canadian and Mexican donors have contributed $7,000 USD to Barrón school improvement projects. When schools re-open, FOB will participate in a 50/50 matching program with Barrón parents to rebuild bathrooms in the secondary school, continue the FOB sponsored computerization program, and improve classroom infrastructure in the high school.

All FOB projects are in full-swing. Thirty-one university students are in on-line classes and the medical/dental clinic is open five days/week. An average of 65 patients is treated each week by our staff doctor, dentist, nurse, physical therapist, nutritionist and psychologist. With current funding levels, the medical/dental clinic can operate to the end of this year when FOB’s commitment ends. Meanwhile, the Barrón leaders are soliciting Mazatlan and Sinaloa government participation to take over and operate the clinic sometime this year.

Many thanks for all your generous contributions!!

Hello Friends!
Exciting follow up news on my previous email about the clinic in Barron, Mexico: an Anonymous donor pledged to match any donation we receive to help us reach our goal of $15,000. This is the money needed to fund the clinic for the next year.
The match will go toward the first $6500 raised and so far, we have raised about $1800 that will be matched! Will you help us with the last $4700 to achieve our goal?
Visit the website https://fobnews.orgfor details and more pictures.
DONATE BY CHECK: Please make your check payable to FOB CANAM INC and mail it to:

FOB CANAM INC c/o Richard J McGuire, 18 Oxford Ranch Road, Laramie, WY 82070

VIA PAYPAL: Send your donation to FOB_CANAM@aol.com.

FOB CANAM is a 501(c)(3) charity and donations are tax deductible (EIN 81-4719413). Any donation over $250 will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
I thank you for your time and considerationBonnie
Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

Dear Friends,

I hope this post finds you and your family well and healthy in this crazy year of 2020. In the past, many have shown their generosity of time and/or finances to Friends of Barrón, a community building effort in Barrón, Mexico.

To recap our effort since we last spoke, the last fundraising campaign was focused on building, staffing and supplying a permanent medical and dental clinic in Barrón. That was in 2018

The medical and dental clinic is staffed by a Mexican Dentist, Doctor and Nurse who are in the community providing ongoing and accessible care. FOB CANAM is financially supporting the clinic for the next 11 months as part of a pilot program agreement with the town. We pay for the professional salaries, the rent and the supplies to keep the doors open. In its world quest to leave no stone unturned, COVID hit Barron as well. As such, the clinic had to shut down for 4 months due to lack of PPE. Re-opening happened in July after purchasing PPE and now care can continue where it normally would be completely absent. You can imagine this 4 month wrench-in-the-works strained the charitable budget: rent needed to be paid, professionals kept on retainer. I am asking you again to consider donating to keep this long awaited accomplishment open and functioning. We need $2000 a month to operate. We have had some generous donations already and my husband and I will donate $5000. Will you help us bridge the gap to fund the coming year? Our goal is to raise an additional $15,000.

We have a donor who is matching all donations to the Medical/Dental Clinic received after October 20, 2020 up to $6500. So far we have received $2000 that qualify for the match. Please help us fulfill this pledge and send in you donation soon.

After the pilot year, we hope to have the clinic be financially independent and/or supported by the local or state governments. In this way, it can become a truly permanent and integrated part of Barrón; run by Barrón, for Barrón. Visit the website https://fobnews.org for details and more pictures.
DONATE BY CHECK: Please make your check payable to FOB CANAM INC and mail it to: FOB CANAM INC, 18 Oxford Ranch Road, Laramie, WY 82070. VIA PAYPAL: Send your donation to FOB_CANAM@aol.com. FOB CANAM is a registered charity under United States tax code [501(c)3] and donations may be tax deductible (EIN 81-4719413).

I thank you for your time and consideration.

Bonnie

Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

The US Post Office just delivered a pleasant surprise… a check for $5000.00 USD. This set off a scramble to verify that this was not some sort of mistake… donations to Friends of Barrón average about $200. But yes, someone who is an active participant in the charitable work that FOB does every year for the nearby town of Barrón, Sinaloa, Mexico, decided that it was time to give even more than time. And even more pleasant is the fact that the generous donation has been matched by an anonymous donor. FOB now has $10,000 to spend on our ongoing projects; new bathrooms, computers for use in virtual learning “classrooms,” and the new medical/dental clinic which has reopened to serve the people of Barrón during this time of crisis. COVID-19 has struck at the heart of the Estrella del Mar community and it is even more important now than ever to support those who support the residents of the resort in living comfortably and safely.

The clinic had to close only six weeks after its much anticipated opening in February 2020 because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the lack of PPE, personal protective equipment to safeguard our three medical workers. But in August, these professionals decided that the virus has settled into endemic status within the community. That means that one has to assume that anyone walking through the door is potentially infected. Just like the Emergency Departments in hard hit US cities, if professionals are properly equipped, they can administer to the needs of the people of Barrón safely.

And so they are. For the last three weeks, fully armored staff have been seeing patients, both for medical and dental needs and the community is grateful. But this comes at a cost. Almost $1800 USD per month is needed to staff and equip the clinic, with extra monies needed to buy the elusive PPE. And now, with positive cases spiking among the employees at Estrella del Mar, it is more important than ever.

FOB  is starting a campaign next month to raise money for the medical/dental clinic focussing on our past donors and on the doctors, nurses, dentists, and hygienists who have volunteered over the years and have a personal interest in the new Clinic’s success.  

There are two ways to donate: send a check to FOB CANAM INC, 18 Oxford Ranch Rd, Laramie, WYOMING 82070, or send money using PayPal to FOB_CANAM@aol.com.

The goal to see a permanent medical/dental clinic built in the tiny town of Barron had taken a giant step forward. Tonight, representatives of Friends of Barron will sit in on a community meeting debating the scope of the project. Municipal authorities have shown interest and are involved. Fund raising efforts continue, and with just a little more help, our goal can be realized.

Friends of Barron is proud to inform you that we have ascended to a second level of fund-raising. Gone are the taco parties and door-to-door-canvassing with our hands out. No we have embraced technology and have registered as a tax exempt charity (501(C)(3). Your donations are now fully tax deducible against US source income.  This new status also affords FOB the necessary credibility to solicit donations on the internet.  Donate now by going to this link.

Permanent Medical/Dental Clinic for Barron

The 2017-18 Fund Raising Priority – After four years of pilot medical and dental clinics in Barron, the community has now solicited our help to build a permanent Medical/Dental clinic.  Barron has donated the land and raised funds and they are asking for a match and any other support we can provide.  With these commitments in hand, the Barron leaders plan to solicit the Mazatlan government to help build, equip and staff the clinic.  The goal is to raise $50,000 USD and break ground in the first quarter of 2018. Be sure to read Dr Bonnie’s recent post below for a more complete description.

Please see the right side panel to find instructions to make your donation.