There are many reasons to buy tickets to the Lake Chapala Shrine Club’s 12th annual Ribfest Fundraiser coming up Wednesday, March 7, 1 p.m. at the Cumbres Garden Event Center.
First of all, it’s an opportunity to tuck into platters of Adelita’s mouth-watering BBQ ribs and chicken, provided with full at-table service. It is always a sell-out event, limited this year to no more than 500 diners.
Aside from the meal, guests will enjoy the deluxe Cumbres setting with spectacular views of Lake Chapala and the dancing and listening tunes of the Ajijic Jamm Band. Added attractions include door prizes, a 50/50 cash raffle and attractive items up for bid in the silent auction.
Ample parking will be available, along with shuttle bus transportation from Black Coffee, located across the road from Wal-Mart, starting at 12:45 p.m.
Most importantly, proceeds from the Ribfest will be used to provide physical examinations to disabled Lakeside children under age 18 who may qualify for specialized care locally, or transportation to the Mexico City Shrine Hospital more advanced treatment.
Tickets priced at 500 pesos are available from any Shriner, Diane Pearl, O & A Investments or by contacting club president David Eccles, 331-017-1724, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or past president Perry King at (376) 763-5126, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Shriners International is a society established in 1870 as an affiliate body to freemasonry. Its charitable arm is the network of 22 Shriner Hospitals for Children located in the United States, Mexico and Canada, built for the purpose of treating children afflicted with orthopedic disorders, burn injuries, birth defects and serious diseases. The Mexico City Shrine Hospital ranks as one of the largest facilities, handling an average 6,000 patients and 400 surgeries every month.
The Lake Chapala Shrine Club was founded in 1987 as a humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting local children and families in need. Prime activities focus on locating, screening and assisting youngsters requiring specialized medical care.
Members schedule patients for pre-admission exams with Dr Jorge Alvaro González Urzúa at Maskaras Clinic to evaluate whether they can be attended locally for fittings with braces or orthopedic shoes or sent instead to Mexico City for corrective surgery. They set up pre- and post-care medical appointments for all cases and fund transportation and meal costs for any child and an accompanying parent traveling to Mexico City.
The Lake Chapala Shrine Club cooperates with the Niños Incapacitados program and other charities to exchange, channel and assist young patients as best suited to their individual needs. The group also responds to natural disaster situations that occur at lakeside and other parts of Mexico. Shriners frequently participate in local parades and community events to stay in the public eye.
The Ribfest, a new annual Paella Festival, the Dine with the Shrine series of outings to local restaurants and membership dues all put money in the Children’s Transportation Fund. Administrative costs are kept at zero by the all-volunteer service among members.
Accounting figures for 2016 show that the Shrine Club covered expenses for 176 trips to Mexico City and 80 cases treated closer to home.