Messages of anticipation were posted on Facebook. A flurry of emails flew back and forth to plan projects. Weird things not typical for a trip to beautiful Cozumel were stuffed into suitcases. It was all part of the preparation for our sixth year of community service projects. We’ll need those garden gloves, scores of spools of thread, scientific calculators and multiple sets of hand tools. Our projects range from building physical therapy equipment to vegetable garden beds and holding classes in sewing, composting, home repair and conversational English. It’s all part of our effort to help families in need become self-sustaining through education and support efforts.

Friends of Cozumel volunteers gathered for an orientation and dinner to kick off the February mission week.

Volunteers from Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon and California, as well as many who live here on the island gathered tonight for a welcome dinner and orientation. It was great to see so many returning volunteers as well as some new faces. I was amazed to learn that some first-time volunteers joined us in a leap of faith after visiting this website and reading about our work. You’ll have a chance to meet some of them through our blog this week.

We have 22 different projects on the schedule for the next seven days. I know—what were we thinking? But no worries. About 40 volunteers have signed on. Some will help part time during their vacation. Others will work full time, which for this group means 14-hours days. Of course we have lots of fun along the way. I hope you’ll come back to this blog to see the evidence. We’ll try to post information and photos daily. And be sure to leave us your comments. We’d love to get your reaction. –Phyllis