By The San Clemente Times
San Clemente Presbyterian Church members and volunteers from the Community Resource Center of San Clemente donated time and gifts to needy children in El Nino, Mexico, last month. The donations were made by members of the church and city residents. Courtesy Photo
Eighteen members of San Clemente Presbyterian Church and volunteers from the Community Resource Center of San Clemente traveled to Mexico on Saturday, December 15 to distribute hundreds of new toys and gifts for needy children and families. The gifts were donated by the SCPC church and residents from the community of San Clemente. The group served a traditional tamale Christmas dinner to over 200 families and residents from the local hospice center.
“It was a great opportunity to give back to others during this special time of year,” Suzanne Ansari said in an email. “My 18-year-old son and I had gone to El Nino with members from the SC Presbyterian Church to help build this small church in 2007 when it only had one floor and we slept on the cement floor of the church preschool.”
Ansari said members of the group that went down were amazed to see the progress that had been made at the church.
“It was stunning to see the improvements made over the past five years, which included a second story, dorm rooms and a new kitchen. The Lo Mejor del Trigo church helps so many poor families in this crime filled area of Mexico. El Nino is located 30 minutes east of Tijuana. Many of these parents can’t afford to buy any Christmas gifts for their kids so this was really a special day.”
