RRR’s Big Island Fundraiser: It’s a Trifeca

Have I got a San Pedro Fun-Trifecta for you: An event where you can meet tons of folks, visit 6 different restaurants and bars in only a couple of hours and help a fantastic island cause. Extra bonuses: it’s a daytime event, all the bars are over/on the water AND you can win some money.

It starts at the gorgeous Purple Pelican Restaurant just north of town on the lagoon side. It’s one of the most beautiful restaurants on the island.

But first, let me tell you about RRR Response: Ambergris Caye (and as I type Caye Caulker’s) only volunteer emergency response. A life saver for visitors and locals on this island. And if you’ve been to our island, you’ve seen the signs all around town. Save this number in your phone!

7 years ago (on February 28th), this beautiful young woman was visiting Secret Beach, she went out on a jet ski and drowned. There was no system in place to search for her in the water.

You can read: The Power of Community: 4 Years After the Tragic Death of Rickilee Mercer at Secret Beach, Another Rescue

Her mother’s best friend turned this awful tragedy into the most amazing organization. (You can read her recent tribute here, it’s so heartbreaking and so inspiring) A group of over a dozen people here on the island – led by incredible San Pedrano Billy Leslie – who do emergency response by land (with two ambulances and two golf carts), coordinated emergency response by air and sea.

Fielding emergency calls on the island 24 hours a day – big and small – from falling off bicycles to heart attacks to major accidents. And coordinating a network of tour operators – the participating boats and the guides on the island – to do emergency rescues at sea.

AND…they are now starting to do work on Caye Caulker. One of the emergency ambulance-golf carts has been transferred there to assist. Billy takes calls 24-hours a day and responds himself…or with the help of his volunteer team. Free of charge for locals.

It’s not just the assistance or the rides to a medical clinic that is so important – it’s the information. You can NOT just google things in Belize and get all the answers.

When Jeff had a heart attack on a Saturday in San Pedro – I felt completely clueless and helpless and alone. Even though I’d been on the island for 10 years at that point, I had NO CLUE what to do in this situation. Was there a heart doctor in Belize? How would we get to the city on a weekend night? Did I need to get some sort of transport to the States or Mexico or…I was frantic.

Now I know exactly what I would do. I’d call Billy and his team. Experts on the island and the medical system in this country. And transport. What an INCREDIBLE service. I can only imagine the relief it must be to those who manage hotels or work in customer service…who deal with health issues all the time.

I asked Billy yesterday how things have changed over the last few years. He didn’t hesitate.

We now have a 24-hour HOSPITAL on the island. (The official opening was just last week) Ambergris Hope Hospital has an on-duty radiologist and specialists – who can diagnose potential broken bones or other more serious issues – with the help of a new CT scan and ultrasound. Patients can be admitted at night. And diagnosed immediately, right here on the island. Often avoiding a costly charter plane to Belize City. What incredible advances for Ambergris Caye.

There is also a public hospital in the works – there was an official groundbreaking ceremony just about a week ago (it will be located south of town, across the street from Victoria House Resort). And, I hear, that the Government of Taiwan, who is giving Belize the $30+ million dollars to build this hospital, is working directly with the contractors. Rather than just giving the money to the GOB. SO the money goes right to the project. Great news.

RRR has responded to over 1500 emergencies since they got started. 1500 emergencies that just 7 years ago would have had to call a taxi or use a golf cart…while calling doctors to see if they were open and available. (It wasn’t always a given) Or if you were a visitor? Yikes. Not a great situation.

I hear you asking how you can help. It’s easy if you are on the island. They are having their BIG on-island fundraiser this weekend. All you need to do is buy a ticket for this event. This Saturday, March 9th, starting at 11:30am at the Purple Pelican. And go and have fun.

If you are not on the island, you can donate to RRR on their website. 100% run by volunteers here on the island, 100% funded by donation. It. is. incredible.

It’s hard to imagine how we ever lived with them before. I’m SOOOO glad we don’t have to. Also, I can’t make it on Saturday! (Right? After all this talk?) But if anyone can take some photos for me and share…I’d love to share them on the scoop. Thank you so much!