TO OUR READERS:EL ALBERGUE DEL ANCIANO EN PROGRESO, A.C. URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. IN THE ARTICLE BELOW, THERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT THE HOME NEEDS, BUT THEIR MOST URGENT NEED IS FUNDS TO MAINTAIN THE RESIDENTS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. IF YOU CAN OPEN YOUR HEART AND MAKE A DONATION TODAY, AND A MONTHLY DONATION IF POSSIBLE, YOU CAN DONATE VIA PAYPAL OR YOU CAN MAKE A DEPOSIT (info below article).
Many of our readers ask us about volunteer opportunities in Yucatán, either as an activity to incorporate into their vacation, or for those who live here and want to give something back to the community. We’d like to introduce you to a home for the elderly in Progreso, which would welcome your helping hands and your generosity.
The official name is Albergue del Anciano en Progreso, A.C., but it is commonly known as Albergue de Ancianos San Joaquín. Presently there are 55 residents. These elderly people are folks who are, for the most part, healthy when they enter, but who cannot take care of themselves any longer. Their families, for whatever reasons, cannot or will not help them; although many of the residents simply have no family at all. Although the home is located in Progreso, most of the residents are from Mérida or the interior of the state. Most have been brought to the shelter by someone, but there are also cases where the person was found in a desperate state of need. They have an agreement with O’Horan hospital in Mérida for when health issues require hospitalization.
The Albergue needs your help. Most importantly, they need volunteers, especially on Sundays and on Saturday afternoons. Although the Albergue is run by four nuns from the Hermanas Mínimas de María, supervised by Madre María Concepción Robles, and the funds which are raised by the trust are used to pay a small staff, they can always use extra hands for hairdressing, visiting, manicures, and other activities. They also need donations, and their official status as a non-profit allows them to issue tax-deductible receipts.
The Albergue also has a “wish list”: 5 round tables for 8-10 people, 40 chairs, 2 bathing chairs with wheels (with round opening), 2 toilet chairs (with opening and bucket with lid), 10 clear plastic food storage containers, 10 plastic containers for used syringes, 1 nebulizer, 1 gauze sterilizer, 6 large plastic garbage bins, 4 large bins on wheels for dirty clothes, 2 radio/CD players, 2 water coolers, 20 fans, 1 large stove, 1 clothing wringer, 1 industrial-size washing machine, 1 industrial-size dryer, paint: white, cream, sky blue, and pink, tiles for concrete shelves, hydraulic tubing: copper or tuboplus, 6 complete toilets, 10 showers with taps, 10 sink mixer taps, 6 coflex hoses for bathroom, 12 simple electric switches, 6 two-burner electric hot plates (Quinciño), 12 donut cushions, 1 file cabinet, 1 computer, 1 computer desk, and 1 vehicle to transport residents (preferably a closed van).
Monthly needs: fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruit, bread, canned tuna, disposable underpants and adult diapers with elasticized leg openings, Ensure, gauze, disposible syringes, and medium and large garbage bags.
Sharon Helgason, who lives in Chicxulub, says, “I have volunteered here for 10 years. What we need from the community is people who are willing to spend time with the residents in activity programs, and Monday to Friday we have an exercise group from 10 am-11 am. We do have some local folks who help with haircuts, and the donations from the community (Mérida and Progreso) has been phenomenal. Folks who speak Spanish and Maya would be great to do current event groups and read the newspaper with them. The physical needs are very important and the emotional need is equally important. A smile or touch goes a long way to making a difference with these folks…they have great stories to tell us.” You can contact her for more information: [email protected]
Albergue de Ancianos San Joaquín
Between Progreso & Chicxulub, beside Prepa México
Tel. (969) 935 1209
President of the Trust: José Icaza Chavez
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (999) 948 3060
www.alberguesanjoaquin.org
Paypal Donations email: [email protected]
Bank Deposit Information:
Bank / banco: BANAMEX
Branch / sucursal: LA TORRE, MÉRIDA
Account Name / nombre de la cuenta: ALBERGUE DEL ANCIANO EN PROGRESO, A.C.
Account Number / número de la cuenta: 7002 3673558
Code/Clabe: 002910700236735582
City / ciudad: Mérida, Yucatán
Recommended reading:
– Giving and Volunteer Opportunities
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