It was an evening of goodwill and community spirit at the Rotary Club of Folsom on Thursday as members gathered for a special presentation, awarding a much-needed van to the Flying Samaritans. The van will be used to transport volunteers on their missions, which provide vital medical, dental, and optometry services to underserved communities in Baja California, Mexico.
The evening was not just about the donation but also about celebrating partnerships and shared values. Rotarians from Folsom and surrounding clubs enjoyed a dinner together following the presentation and heard about the meaningful impact of the Flying Samaritans’ work. Rotary District 5180 Governor Steve Turner made the trip to Folsom for the event and fellow presidents and Rotarians from abroad, many who have participated in Flying Samaritans missions, were also present to show their support.
The Flying Samaritans is an international non-profit with over 1,500 members across six chapters, run clinics throughout Baja California, offering free medical, dental, optical, and orthopedic services to communities in need. However, transporting volunteers—many of whom fly from Sacramento, Modesto, and Stockton—requires reliable vehicles. Their previous van had reached the end of its service life, and the organization was in urgent need of a replacement.
“When the Flying Samaritans reached out, our board immediately approved a $12,000 donation toward the purchase of a van,” shared Rotary Club of Folsom president Ramesh Dontha, one of the many that was instrumental in the gift and the presentation. “Coincidentally, two Sacramento-based Rotary clubs—Arden Arcade and another partner—had a van available as they planned to upgrade. Although the van was valued at more than $12,000, they agreed to sell it for the amount we could provide, offering in-kind support as well.”
Dontha added that the donation exemplifies the Rotary motto, “Better Together,” as multiple clubs pooled their efforts for a shared mission. The newly acquired van will serve as a lifeline for the volunteers, ensuring they can reach remote communities and continue their essential work.
The Flying Samaritans’ clinics are divided between fly-in and drive-in locations across Baja California. Their medical teams, which include general practitioners, dentists, optometrists, and other allied health professionals, visit various locations , often traveling by small aircraft and vans. Volunteers cover their travel costs, contributing to fuel expenses and riding along with pilots.
“We have donated vehicles down there (Mexico), and they are right by the sea where the salty air just rots them out in 10 or 15 years. Our present white van is almost dead, literally. The windshield is almost falling out of it and we’ve tried to repair it a few times. But now it’s gotten to the point where it’s getting dangerous. said Peter Le Lievre, President of the Fyling Samaritans.
In addition to medical services, the organization runs community programs like prescription eyewear distribution, collecting and refurbishing used glasses for those in need. Their mission also involves building a new orthopedic room and workshop, which still requires windows, doors, and floor coverings.
Lievre went on to explain that thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Clubs, the organization can put funds towards more crucial needs to serve their program rather than into a vehicle. However, it’s an important asset to be able to move the pilots and the teams around once they are in Mexico as the airport is a distance from the clinics they serve and land transportation is scarce.
“These vehicles are popular and they’re expensive and us to just buy one on the market, we we’re going to have to divert a lot of cash and our resources, which heaven knows we need and would rather put it into the other things like surgeries, medical supplies and such.
The group continually seeks volunteers, including healthcare providers, Spanish speakers, and general helpers, to sustain their missions. Their efforts are rooted in collaboration, with clinics operating entirely on donations and volunteer support.
The van presentation capped a night filled with camaraderie, reflection, and inspiration, three key factors that are common when Rotarians come together, not only locally but abroad. Attendees not only celebrated the vehicle’s donation, but also recognized the spirit of community service that unites Rotarians and Flying Samaritans alike.
The donation of the van clearly represents more than just transportation; it also symbolizes hope, opportunity and appreciation for countless individuals who depend on the work of Flying Samaritans. Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Folsom and partner clubs, this feel-good collaboration is a reminder that even small contributions can drive meaningful change across borders.
Now, the organization can take their mind of its ground transportation needs and focus on the missions their set out to serve, thanks to the generosity of the local rotarations, all of which worked together to make the van donation possible.
“We can put all of our volunteers in the one vehicle and know we have a good, safe vehicle that we can carry them around in,” added Lievre. Because the roads down there are pretty dangerous. So I’m extremely grateful for this gift, this is just wonderful.”
For more information on how to support the Flying Samaritans or become a volunteer, visit Flying Samaritans MotherLode Chapter.
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