Ajijic resident Janna Sosensky was the amiable hostess to 32 guests gathered Thursday, April 28 for the first in a series of gourmet dinners that are being organized as fund-raisers for Cruz Roja Chapala (CRC).
The introduction of intimate supper party benefits is among the new financing strategies being cooked up by Yolanda Martínez Llamas, who took charge as president of the CRC Consejo (Directors Board) on March 18.
“We are working very hard to put Cruz Roja on solid footing,” says Martinez. “Operating expenditures are quite high and we depend entirely on donations and the recuperation fees collected for patient services.”
It wasn’t until she joined the Cruz Rojas board two years ago that Martinez realized she had the misconception that the institution relied on regular funding from the lakeside area municipalities it serves. Although city officials usually reach into their pockets at the kick off of the annual Colecta fund-raising campaign, local governments do not budget monthly contributions to help keep Cruz Roja afloat.
Likewise, she learned that the business community is not as reliable a funding source as the support from the foreign community — Cruz Roja’s real financial backbone.
Proprietor of Yoly’s Unisex Salon, Martinez is a savvy entrepreneur who has shown her mettle during a two-year term as head of the local branch of the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce, as a current director-at-large for the Lake Chapala Society, and highly effective liaison between state and federal agencies and the expat community.
Since taking up the reins at CRC she has kept a close eye on the books to see that financial resources are stretched as far as possible. She is equally committed to total transparency to instill public confidence.
Meanwhile she is overseeing a period of transition for the governing board, administrative structure, working staff and volunteer arms. She is optimistic that a cohesive team will be able to muster stronger backing from local authorities and the Mexican populace.
“I’m convinced that, with careful management and well-planned fund-raising activities, Cruz Roja can become fully self-sustaining,” she observes.
The newly introduced culinary affairs are quickly gaining steam. Several more host chefs jumped aboard during the very first dinner. And seating is already sold out for the next event, set for May 13 at the La Floresta home of Gaetane Montreuil and David Ozmond.
Places are still open for the soiree to be offered June 18, 6 p.m., by DIF Chapala director Irma Hernández and husband Pepe Barajas, head of the city’s Urban Planning department.
Carol Van Gorp and Sheila and Graham Paull have signed on for deluxe dining experiences tentatively planned for June and July.
For additional information, reservations or support pledges, contact Martinez at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cell 33-1485-9048. Contributions made out in the name of Cruz Roja Mexicana IAP may be deposited in the CRC’s official bank account at Banamex, Cuenta 433-5520-373. Receipts needed for tax deduction purposes are available upon request.