PIPO Mission Inc. / Limbs and Braces to Mexico is a recognized 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization and is the Charitable Arm of Positive Image Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc./ Savannah, Georgia, USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Watch for our new Website: PIPOMISSIONS.ORG coming in February 2010 ! CLICK HERE for our latest Newsletter In November 2008...David M. Puckett, LPO  was chosen from over 3700 world-wide nominees to recieve recognition for his Philanthropic work with PIPO Missions Inc./ Limbs and Braces to Mexico. He was honored as  one of ten in the world 2008 CNN Heroes chosen by the CNN Blue Ribbon Committee including Arch- Bishop Desmond Tutu, Magic Johnson, Franklin Graham, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Queen Rania of Jordan and other national and international luminaries. We have, to date received over $80,000 including a $20,000 grant from The Salma Hayek Foundation and an additional grant from the Annenberg Foundation. Much of these funds are being saved to begin construction and/or purchase of the Medical clinic in Chiapas. David was fortunate to have been nominated for and received the 2009 NECO (National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation) Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This medal was presented to “American citizens of diverse origins who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, their nation, and the world”.  He was one of 98 in the world presented this honor along with other very outstanding people such as songwriter/ composer Emilio Estefan (Gloria Estefan’s husband), Mr. John Podesta (Former Pres. Clinton’s Chief of Staff) and three 4 Star Generals from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. "Past Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize winners, world class athletes, visionary business leaders, medical and health pioneers, artists and others whose work has yielded a measurable and enduring impact on humanity”.   Puckett has also been featured on numerous National Christian and Secular Radio shows.This is a platform from which to present the tremendous need for help in S/E Mexico’s poorest regions. ------------------------------------------------------------------  Puckett and PIPO Missions was featured on Univision's "Sabado Gigante" television program on July 11,2009 with Don Francisco. It was a great success! You can still visit the CNN.com/heroes website to see the CNN Heroes Tribute Program and interviews with David Puckett along with actress Salma Hayek after receiving the 2008 Heroes Award in L.A. Positive Image Prosthetics and Orthotics... extends beyond its borders with PIPO MISSIONS INC./       Limbs and Braces to Mexico       If you are interested in "partnering" with us by donating funds, please contact David M. Puckett, CPO, LPO,  who directs this Medical Outreach. -Your Donation is Tax Deductible-     ---------------------- PIPO Missions Inc. Limbs & Braces to Mexico  is a formally recognized 501(c)3 Non-Profit Charitable Organization since 1999 with Tax I.D. #58-2637658.   Feb. '09 Puckett, above with the Chiapas host  family. They allow us to treat patients in their home in Motozintla, Chiapas every 3 months until we open a true Medical Clinic. Our projected goal is to open the clinic in  Fall 2010. July 2009 Puckett, seen below with Host, Don Francisco of Sabado Gigante. He was presented a plaque of recognition.                         Above, Gladys is seen in Feb. 2009 for consultation and measurement for her 2 new legs and her right arm. PIPO MISSIONS, INC. Positive Image Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., expanded medical care outside of the US in Nov.2000.  We established the Non-Profit 501(c)3 Charitable Arm-  PIPO Missions Inc./ Limbs and Braces to Mexico to partner with many Hospitals/ Clinics in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and Chiapas, Mexico in order to provide indigent, handicapped patients  gratis Artificial Limb and Orthopedic Brace Care. Our first formal trip to Mexico was in November 2000 and as of Jan, 25, 2010, we have held 55 " trip clinics", provided Prosthetic and Orthotic treatment to over 605 people. We have also assisted over 1320 people with other life-needs such as corrective Orthopedic surgery, medical and general health supplies, Bibles, food, and children's toys. We collect pre-owned, donated limbs and braces in our Savannah, Beaufort and Hardeeville offices and thanks to generous donors, consistently have a storage unit (in Savannah) full of these braces and limbs ready for refurbishment, repair and/ or dissassembly for parts reuse. We then utilize some of these components and proceed to "customize" and fabricate new limbs and braces for in-need patients living in the surrounding communities and villages in Southeast Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas regions. We travel to remote regions to provide help for the "poorest of the poor."  In the book of Matthew, in the Bible, Jesus said "For I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these, my brothers, you did for me."  Our next trip is scheduled to Chiapas, Mexico in March 2010.  Should you like to donate/fund any specific mission trip beforehand or would like information about any of our upcoming trips, feel free to contact our office and ask to personally speak to David Puckett, who heads the PIPO Missions Inc./ Limbs and Braces to Mexico project. Watch for updates on our "Chiapas Clinic Project".  We are in the middle of the planning and coordinating  to start medical care in our new medical clinic, planned to begin in Summer 2010 . Our hope and goal is to buy an abandoned school building and convert it into the medical clinic in Motozintla, Chiapas this next year. With help from generous donors and funders, this dream will become a reality...  Total costs are approximately $155,000. Can you help us make this vision a reality? Call or write us with your interest. -------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to the CNN Story, in October 2008, a wonderful American couple in Guadalajara, Mexico donated a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. This assures us dependable transportation used to reach those in need of Orthotic and Prosthetic care in the outlying villages. We have already traveled over 5000 miles...  this vehicle is used a lot! This mother's generosity will enable this mission to expand care in an even greater measure than in prior years.We are so fortunate to have generous donors working with our mission program.  "Christopher A. Jones, was 20 when he died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21,1988- almost 20 years ago, and the gift is in his memory. We cannot undo what was done on that day, but in his honor we can use the compensation funds to make a positive differencein the lives of people who find themselves in difficult situations, especially here in Mexico where we have chosen to retire," states Christopher's mother.   Below-  In October 2008, David Puckett recieves the keys and title to the 1999 Jeep Cherokee from the donors in Guadalajara, Mexico. What a miracle to recieve this gift!     Feb. ' 09- Gladys is 29.  Her husband was tragically killed in an auto accident and  6 months later she was struck with a second tragedy... she woke up one morning in 2008 and discovered that Septic Shock had set in her body and "eaten up" her right hand, left 5 fingers and both legs below the knee. In order to save her life, they immediately amputated all of these appendages,  leaving her  wheelchair ridden and handicapped. ------------------------------------------ Below, the photos tell the new story. As of  September 2009 Gladys is WALKING ! She is so happy and is a blessing to all those around her. Gladys believes in Miracles!   Gladys now walks without any help and is totally independent.   She would tell anyone that God did a miracle in her life.  She was sent a "gift" of legs  through PIPO Missions. She will be delivered her rt. arm in a few months.   Feb.'09  Above-  Puckett, along with a surgical team of 3, prepares for the difficult 3 hour trip through the Chiapas' Sierra Madres to treat patients in Motozintla.  The 2008 CNN Heroes Tribute Program in Los Angeles- Nov. 2008    Nov. '09  Above, Puckett recieves the 2008 Heroes Award from Actress Salma Hayek.  Below, Puckett at the Los Angeles event, in front of the 2008 CNN Heroes Banner and with Ms. Hayek.        Above, Actress Salma Hayek presents David Puckett, Founder and PIPO Missions at the 2008 Awards Event.  The CNN Heroes Tribute and how it all began... To recap the last year…in September 2008, David Puckett was nominated for 2008 CNN Hero of the Year.  In August, 2008 the first news team from CNN traveled with us to Chiapas and did a full story documenting our Mission. In October, 2008 a second news team traveled to Mexico with Puckett to further document the mission and to film for the Heroes Tribute Show in November. David Puckett and PIPO Missions have since been featured multiple times on CNN Headline News and CNN USA along with CNN International and still, to date, on the CNN.com/heroes web site. Additional news stories ran on Univision and other cable networks in the susbequent months. Univision TV Miami  featured David Puckett, LPO and PIPO Missions on the famous Spanish Television program, "Sabado Gigante with Don Francisco" on July 11, 2009. Due to this coverage, we have seen an increase in donations and requests for information.      Above LT- Cesar, shows off his new legs and his new wife.      Above RT- Cesar's family with Puckett and CNN Cameraman. Feb. '09  Puckett, above with the surgical team, traveling over the 10,000 ft. Sierra Madre Mountain range to reach Motozintla, Chiapas, where several children are awaiting good news about their upcoming life-changing surgeries. Above, Puckett displays the Savannah storage unit and items to take to Mexico   Below- In Chiapas, July 2008, providing Prosthetic Consultation and Care      Below- CNN accompanies David Puckett on a trip to Chiapas, Mexico. On that July 2008 trip, he delivered 5 arm Prostheses and treated numerous others for new orthopedic needs.  Below right- 14 yr old Karina recieves her first "manicure" and nail painting on her right hand to match her new left Below Elbow Arm Prosthesis. She is now able to use two hands to carry/pick up things.    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ To see the actual CNN Stories, click the links below: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/08/20/heroes.puckett.profile.cnn?iref=videosearch http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/22/heroes.puckett/index.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How You Can Help : - Donations of pre-used Artificial Limbs and Braces Ship these to : PIPO Missions, Inc.     5202 Waters Ave.    Savannah, Georgia   31404 - Monetary Donations- each trip costs between $2,500- $3,500 - Frequent Flyer Miles- must equal a full ticket in order to "donate" - Adopt or Sponsor a Patient's Care in Mexico - cost $150- $350.00 If you are interested in helping out, please contact our office with your donation item or monetary amount. We appreciate your donations, prayers, and support for this ministry to the less fortunate people of Southeastern Mexico. ------------------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO SOME OF PIPO MISSIONS INC. PARTNERS: www.travelyucatan.com www.holboxwhalesharktours.com www.annenbergfoundation.org www.looktothestarscharity.org/charity/572-salma-hayek-foundation www.rotarymets.org ----------------------------------------------------------------       We are ALWAYS in need of additional Prosthetists, Orthotists, Nurses and Surgeons to help us with patient needs!  You could donate a weekend and change 5- 10 lives forever... -Your Donation is Tax Deductible- Remember too, if your ship us any donated medical supplies- your shipping costs are tax deductible.     PIPO MISSIONS, INC. 5202 Waters Ave. Savannah, GA 31404 Ph: (912) 354-7500 Fax: (912) 354-7887 E-mail: dmpuckett@pipoinc.com We are incorporated as PIPO Missions Inc. and are recognized as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization Tax ID# 58-2637658. YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US AND CONSIDERING THE NEEDY PEOPLE OF THE YUCATAN AND CHIAPAS, MEXICO ! | Home | Services | Offices | Testimonials | Mexico Mission | O&P Links | Contact us |