A Star Is Born
Last time I introduced you to Tom McCormack and more precisely to some of the great work he and his foundation do here in Panama (see the posting “A Million Dollar Smile”, on April 25, below). But the work he does here is so expansive that it is impossible to grasp just looking at the surface. The project with Sissi, the little girl from the ‘Smile posting’ is not even the tip of the iceberg. Although other authors and various other blogs have written about Tom and his work, a visit to the website of Panama McCormack Foundation lets one get a feel for the foundations reach. This is part of the introduction on the site’s home page which provides some of the history: “Tom McCormack began working in Chiriqui, the westernmost province of Panama, in 1994 through the United States Government Farmer to Farmer Program, using his expertise as a Master Beekeeper to assist Panamanian beekeepers in becoming more productive. While working there, Tom saw the need in the less fortunate areas of western Panama for items that are simply discarded in the United States. Tom began collecting used children’s clothing and was able to send and distribute over 3000 pounds of clothing to people in need in Chiriqui. He then discovered that women who suffered from breast cancer did not have the resources to obtain breast prostheses or wigs. With the help of volunteers and the tireless work of Roswitha Firth, U.S. donation coordinator, hundreds of prostheses and wigs were collected, hand carried, and distributed. From there the project grew into the collection of wheelchairs, crutches, hospital beds, disposable medical supplies, bicycles, and basic household items.”
Thomas L. and Linda J. McCormack Foundation is Born
Tom quickly realized that this project and the problems it addressed where bigger than one man’s dream and efforts. It was time for a new and better approach:
“In order to facilitate the importing of the donations into Panama, the McCormack Foundation was formed. In 2006 the foundation shipped a 40 foot cargo container of donated goods to Chiriqui and the surrounding areas. In 2008, two more containers followed. The donations were unloaded with the help of U.S. Peace Corps workers and distributed by Tom. Two additional containers were shipped in October of 2009 and another in 2010. Container #7 was shipped on October 4, 2011. The eighth container arrived in Panama on December 17, 2011. Tom receives and personally delivers all donated items to the appropriate recipients.”
A couple of real team players are instrumental in helping Tom with the container projects - The Vice Mayor of David, Rito Barrett and the foundation’s distribution coordinator Ruby Cirmca. Plus there are a lot of volunteers in both the United States and Panama working together for the collection and distribution of goods for the benefit of the truly neediest families in Panama.
Looking At Results
Receiving, unloading and distributing container loads are ‘just words’ to most of us, but seeing is believing. Let’s take a quick look at what is being donated, shipped and distributed:
You need some heavy equipment
A lot of hands
And a good crew of volunteers!
You also need a big space to sort things out (think gymnasium)
beds
walkers
medical supplies
and more to sort
A Lot Of Different Problems Need Attention
It did not take long for Tom and his crew to figure out there were a variety of other serious problems in Panama that were not being addressed aggressively and needed attention, especially in the lower straits of the economy (the less fortunate, if you will). As a result there are several areas that the association gives special attention to as well:
BREAST PROSTHESIS PROGRAM: External breast prostheses, wigs, etc., free of charge, to women who have experienced breast cancer. The program consists of a coalition of women in the United States who collect donated prostheses for distribution to Panamanian women.
The program has the support of other non-government organizations (NGO’S) such as FundaCancer Panama, Oncologicol Hospital in Panama City, and the doctors and nurses who have personal relationships with breast cancer victims in public or private hospitals.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT DONATIONS: Providing medical equipment free of charge to public hospitals, public health clinics, children’s homes, nursing homes, and private individuals. Medical equipment donated includes hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and potty chairs.
'special' wheelchairs
In addition the foundation manages:
CLOTHING DONATION PROGRAM
This family wiped out by house fire
HAND, ARM AND LEG PROSTHESIS
This man has a 'new' leg
a there are some very special cases as well
EYEGLASSES AND HEARING AID DISTRIBUTIONS
In the town center park in David
This hearing aid means not only can this little doll now hear - now she can go to school with her contemporaries!
HOUSEHOLD AND OTHER GOODS DISTRIBUTION
Daddy now has a corn sheller for his business
The sewing coop now has some modern machines
The weedwacker means this man now has a source of income.
The foundation also has the support of, and working relations with a lot of other agencies and organizations in Panama, most noteably:
The motorcycle club Aquilas de Acera (wheelchair repair and delivery), Lady Lions Club of David (eyeglasses distribution) and the Rotary Club of David (prosthetic hand project). Cooperating agencies include the American Cancer Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Breast Cancer Center of Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
An ambulance for one hospital
A guerney for the fire department
And one for David also
Visit the McCormack Web Site
Please visit the foundations web site for additional information. I think you will final it a heartwarming journey. While you are browsing you can also click on the ‘How You Can Help” tab at the top of the page and make a donation to this truly worthy endeavor.
Visit the McCormack Foundation website here:
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
faces of people who have been helped