On Saturday, March 8^th, 2008:  Friends Across the Border did a vision-screening clinic in Tecate, Mexico.  We left our usual staging areas in Yucaipa @ 5:05 am, Hemet @ 5:45 am and Menifee @ 6:30am.  By 8:10am we had arrived at Barrett’s Junction for our breakfast buffet.  With our stomachs full we headed to the border, crossing at 9:30am and by 10:00am the clinic had started.  The last patient of the day was leaving with their recycled eyeglasses @ 3:30pm.   Listed below is a synopsis of the day’s clinical findings:

• 195 people were seen for the day.
• Of the 195, 14 had prescriptions that need to be made at the optical lab, 3 needed no prescription and the balance received recycled eyeglasses.
• 8 people need cataract surgery on at least one eye.
• 2 people need treatment for glaucoma
• 1 person needs excision of their pterygium.

After a nice meal and socialization with the Tecate Lions, we departed the clubhouse for the border @ 4:30pm.  By 5:30pm we had all crossed the border and headed to our usual pit stop at Rancho San Diego 30 minutes away.  By 6:30pm we were leaving Rancho San Diego and headed to Menifee.  After our scenic tour of Murrieta Hot Springs Road, we arrived in Menifee at 7:55pm.  Saying good- by to part of our group, we headed to Hemet, arriving @8:15pm.  After off loading the equipment the balance of the caravan was headed to Yucaipa, arriving @ 9:00pm. 

It was a nice day for all involved with the clinic.  Listed below are those that participated directly in the day’s activities.

Mexico: Gustavo Pineda, SR.; Gustavo Pineda, JR; Benny & Chely Pineda, Martin & Ana Pineda, Roberto & Nachita Castillo, Javier & Hector Urbalejo, Guillamo Velez and Clemente Maldanado.

USA:

Crestline Lions Club: Ricardo Terrones

Hemet Lions Club:  Debbie Capen

San Jacinto Lions Club:  Sigrid McNamara

Lake Elsinore Lions Club:  Russ Hemken

Yucaipa Valley Lions Club:  Steve Fedor, Carl Decker & June Decker

Calimesa Breakfast Lions Club:  Don Ranney, Pat Ranney, Ron Meader, Lucy Manning, Rob Manning, Pati Van Dusen, Jim Selby and Brian Van Dusen.

Non-Lions:  Dick Davis, M.D.; Cecilia Rios and Carlton Luthas