Members of the Cruz Roja Chapala (CRC) corps of veteran volunteers gathered last week for a modest celebration marking the anniversary of the group’s second formation.
The Veteranos troupe was reactivated 19 years ago following a six-year hiatus of activity. At present, eight old-timers support CRC operations by collecting donations from weekend visitors for use of the clinic’s public restroom and parking facilities.
Among them is Manuel Torres Muñoz, 75, who originally signed on as a local Red Cross volunteer in 1961. His dedication to the organization served as inspiration to three of his family members. His sibling Francisco Javier works for the Chapala Civil Protection and Firefighters Unit, while sister Patricia is married to the current Fire Department chief in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. And son José took training to become a paramedic.
In conversation with this newspaper, Torres reported that over the past year the Veteranos brought in a sum of 148,139 pesos in contributions. The funds have been used to help defray expenses for projects carried out to improve the clinic’s installations. Work completed to date includes laying new tile flooring and upgrading bathrooms.