Saint Charles Parish, Imperial Beach, San Diego, CA

Dear Friends of Saint Charles Caritas, Charity on the Border:

I hope that your weekend was restful and plenty of blessings!

We would like to say thank you so much to the volunteers last Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. These volunteers work hard and had fun distributing the items at the TJ dump site for the poor people and children. Thank you to: Margie Benzie & Susan Fields from North Park, Michael and his children Morgan & Madison Ross from Oceanside, Mary Wilson from El Cajon and Marina Vera from Imperial Beach.

We had distributed the following: bags of food: rice & beans, canned food: refried beans, pinto beans, tuna, corn, pineapple chunks, green beans, sweet peas, ramen (10 each), pasta, spaghetti, chicken, salt and assorted items. Also for children: Snicker bars, candy cane, toys, brand new children clothes, soccer balls, scarves, knitted hats, socks & gloves; also bars of soap, shampoos, tarps, and fleece blankets, used clothes and brand new T-shirts.

It was overwhelming that their parents & children came to us and were delighted to have these gifts. Some left overs are going to be given to the sick who cannot come, patients, and people who will be knocking the sisters door for food. God bless all of you who donated and volunteered for this Project# 11. This was eleven times you helped these poor people in the dump site. Each one of you who cares for the poor are angels for these people! Thanks a million for your love for the poor!

We thank the donors: Jorge Leyva (thanks Miguel for telling your father about us), who donated 13 bags of brand new T-shirts, Julie Vaickus, clothes for the children, Mrs. Lias, assorted children soccer balls and etc., our friends from North Park, Kensington St., Texas, Wyoming, & Nevada and Beverly Hills, LA and the Parishioner of St. Charles Parish, Anonymous donors, Nita who crochet knitted hats for the children, Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Ferreira, and many others who wanted to remain anonymous. God bless you all and may your blessings be a hundred fold more!

Schedule for January & February 2008:

January 19 & 20, Saturday & Sunday: Caritas Day

January 26, Saturday: Costco Buy of Food for charities in TJ

February 9, Saturday (tentative), A Day in the Orphanage. The volunteers are going to cook spaghetti and hot-dogs for the children and serve these to children including fruit juices and cake for dessert. Meeting place at St. Charles Office, at 8am. We need volunteers!

February 16 & 17, Saturday & Sunday: Caritas Day

February 23, Saturday Costco Buy for charities in TJ

Distribution for all 8 charities in December 2007. We bought basic food, cleaning products and basic necessities.

$380.14 > Casa de Cuna orphanage

$574.14 > Santa Teresita, home for girls

$527.27 > Casa Eudes, home for girls

$506.92 > Asilo de Ancianos, home for the elderly

$663.03 > La Esperanza Clinic, TJ dump site

$503.61 > Adoratrices del Santisimo, contemplative nuns, ingredients for baking cookies for their fund raising building a chapel.

$500.00 > Birthline, Chula Vista, helping young mothers

$500.00 > Pastoral Charity Fund of St. Charles, at the discretion of Fr. Peter Ruggere, pastor and Maryknoll Missionary

$4827.07 > Project# 11, Distribution of Food & etc for the 250 poor families and children around the TJ dump site.

$8,982.18 Total Distribution for December 2007

May you all have a blessed week and a wonderful day every day!

Warm regards,

Merlyn Baker
Saint Charles Caritas
990 Saturn Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92154
(619)428-0199
mbaker2020@aol.com
www.saintcharles.org