I saw this today and it broke my heart. Whether they are illegal or not, they are still humans! Please read the email below and help! Dear Friends: If you are reading this email it is because I know you will receive this information knowing it comes from a good place. A need to come to the aid of people in need without judgement. Ever since I learned of the fate of the thousands of Central American children seeking refuge away from deadly situations in their home countries; and after seeing the negativity with which these children are being talked about. I cannot explain my sadness and feeling of hopelessness. And so all I can do is reach out to you and ask for help. This weekend, Diana and I, joined by a group of friends, will drive to McAllen to deliver donations to Catholic Charities. This is the non-profit organization on the ground that has been providing 24/7 care for many children. Here are 6 easy ways you can help right now in this ongoing crisis: 1. On Thursday, July 24th, my friend Terry Flores owner of Red Ox Bar & Grill (811 Collingsworth Houston, Texas 77009), will open the doors of her restaurant to serve as a drop-off site. If you want to help by donating any of the items listed below, please stop by Terry’s any time between 11 am – 8 pm. Diana and I will be there after 6 pm to pick up monetary donations. Please come and drop off your check! You can also send monetary donations to Catholic Charities RGV, P.O. Box 1306, San Juan, Texas, 78589. In the memo write, “immigration crisis.” 2. You can drop off or send clothes, kids clothes (boys and girls), women’s clothes, blankets. And send sweaters for all ages–when they leave the shelter, they get on a bus, which is often cold. Mail them to this address: Food Bank RGV, 724 N. Cage, Blvd. Pharr, Texas 78577. 3. Make a donation of time. Just head down to McAllen and go to Sacred Heart church where the Catholic Charities is located. Sustainable volunteers are great because then they become good trainers for new volunteers. You can keep up with the Shelter on their FB page at: http://ift.tt/1yuiR7r 4. Have no $ or items to donate, and no time? You can show your solidarity with the kids in order to raise awareness and help lift up the “human” side of their story (and this issue). To do so go to http://ift.tt/1ymkG5C 5. Share the stories, both of the refugees and of those who are “trapped” in the 45-mile zone and can’t get out (to see family, to work, to go to school, etc.). Define American continues to lift up these stories, and now other amazing organizations are doing the same. One of those stories is of “Mary” a woman from El Salvador who describes how she chose life over imminent death for her kids: http://ift.tt/1pxF7XM 6. Lastly, I am leaving early Sat morning & willing to store items in my home for those who would like to also meet up (in case you can’t make the drive on Thursday). Call me or email me if you need more info. Thanks for reading this. Your friend, Eddie Elizondo eddieelizondo@yahoo.com