Marilyn and Larry Culos are busy preparing for their third annual pilgrimage to the Mexican Baja.
The Keremeos couple, who reside in the Sunkatchers RV Park for six months of the year, have used their annual sojourn to deliver school supplies collected through donations for distribution to Mexican school students.
“The Bargain Store in Keremeos has been one of our main suppliers locally,” Larry said recently. “Last year we gathered basic school supplies - pencils, paper, pens and notebooks.”
A box of coloured chalk was a big hit with Mexican teachers last year, Larry noted.
The Culos’ efforts provided enough school supplies for two schools in the village of Los Barriles, a community roughly the size of Keremeos located haflway between La Paz and Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja.
Twenty-four boxes of supplies made up last year’s effort.
“We also had some toys, and other items that were donated,” Larry said, “it’s not just one person or one company that provides the donations.” A donation of 3,800 pencils, for instance, came from as far away as Vernon.
The Culos’ enlisted the aid of two friends who were also heading south in a van and a motor home, to help transport the goods to Mexico.
They are currently collecting donations as they prepare for this years’ journey.
“Anything that a young student might be able to use, except clothing,” Marilyn said, “clothing doesn’t seem to be an issue down there.”
Those interested in providing a donation can reach the Culos at: 250-499-2065, ext. 126.