Greetings from Barra

“We’ve reached our goal.” That’s what Pat McIntosh wrote to tell us after fundraising efforts in Barra de Navidad were completed in last night’s meeting to match up boats and passengers for the boat parade and sail underway this morning.

Seventy-three people donated $36,500 pesos (more than $1,800) to rewire the local elementary school in Bario. Pat wrote, “We reached our goal thanks to Rick and Bridget Pearce, who read ‘Lectronic Latitude’s post regarding the event while anchored out at Tenacatita. They are well known on the Bay, as well as longtime cruisers in Mexico, and said they could carry as many folks as it took to make this happen for the school. Their Hasty Heart, a Swan 61, is hosting 20 folks for the day!”

Pat  continued, “Thanks to you at Latitude and lots of sailors who made this happen; there will be some extra funds to complete even more here in Barra de Navidad.”

In a needy world we see more and more cruisers taking time out from their adventures to contribute to local communities with events like this, connecting with a local Habitat for Humanity project, contributing with citizen science, or just generally being goodwill ambassadors as they explore the world. Thanks go to Pat and Carole, Rick and Bridget and the many others who make these things come together. There’s a lot of good sailing fun involved too — a good combination. We’ll have a report from another fundraiser benefitting Mexican schoolchildren, the Zihua SailFest, in ‘Lectronic next week.