Highway to Mexico: PPE Donated to Rotary

Saddle Hills County recently donated some used bunker gear, helmets, boots, and gloves to the Grande Prairie Rotary Club, as part of their Highway to Mexico project.

In Alberta, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can no longer be used after it exceeds 10 years. 

What is Highway to Mexico?

The project started in 2001, when Grande Prairie Rotary Club member, Lou Albinati, was on vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico, and noticed that there were a lot of people in wheelchairs. After confirming the local need with the Rotary Club of Mazatlan AC, Lou returned to Alberta and began acquiring wheelchairs. Now the question was, how to get them there.

To carry out his mission, Lou purchased a used school bus, filled it with wheelchairs, and, in 2002 with the help of Gene Krause and Allan Kuechle, drove the bus the 5,000 km to Mazatlan to deliver them (and the bus). From this, the Highway to Mexico project was born in 2003. In 2004, two more school buses were delivered. As of 2022, 117 vehicles have been delivered to Mazatlan by the project.

While the project started with school buses, the need for emergency vehicles, equipment, and training was also evident, in the state of Sinaloa and beyond. In this area, the government does not provide funding for fire departments and they are staffed mainly by volunteers, meaning that the equipment and training that the Highway to Mexico project has been able to provide has been invaluable. 

How Can I Get Involved?

The Highway to Mexico project has been successful largely because of the donations of new or retired medical equipment and vehicles received from various cities, towns, municipalities, and companies. The cost to purchase all of the equipment donated is just not feasible. To date, the total value of all donated items delivered to Mexico, is in excess of $24 million. 

To put it into perspective, a bus in a rural community means a road is built, a fire truck in a city saves homes, and the jaws-of-life rescue a loved one.

The project is always looking for volunteers and equipment, donated or purchased. If you know of anyone in your community or industry interested in assisting the project, or wish to donate, please contact Mark Marcotte: (780) 814-2224 mark.mrinvestments@gmail.com or Norm Lafleur: (780) 831-0967 bloscar@telus.net