Focus on Mexico wants to thank everyone for their immediate and caring response to our email in July about towels and tennis shoes for Hope House. The Hope House now has an abundance of towels, and each boy who needed his tennis shoes replaced has received a pair. Others had also asked what else they could do, and in response to that, here is a list:
Donations are always appreciated at the Hope House. Unfortunately, when needs are very specific, like school shoes and school uniforms; the best way to meet the need is with a cash donation. This way we can shop for the correct size for the right boy. We learned a valuable lesson about this just recently.
A very generous supporter wanted to buy shirts for the boys. They went to Walmart, purchased 24 shirts and brought them to the house. After inspection, we realized that all the shirts were men sizes and too big. We got permission to take them to Walmart and exchange the shirts. Walmart allowed our staff to exchange the shirts for 2 sets of school uniform shirts for each boy in the primaria, 6 new tops for older boys, four soccer balls, 10 packages of boxers and a reward toy for the Boy of the Month! All this for what was spent to purchase 24 shirts! With cash donations, we are able to use the money for the exact need, and not see anything go to waste.
Right now, we will need to buy new uniform pants for all the boys this year. They will also need the sweaters that are specific to each school and the required sweat suit outfits of their school. In addition, each boy needs a pair of black school shoes. We have made contacts with stores in Ixtlahuacan to give us a discount for these purchases. Again, we will need cash donations.
For school supplies, we had response from the Mexican community and will be getting all the needed supplies from the local government here and some generous Mexican families. This is such a blessing, as we have worked very hard to get Mexicans involved in supporting the home.
Our operating budget is $6,000.00 – 8,000.00 USD per month; we always seem to be running very short of that. Any suggestions and help with fundraisers would also be appreciated; but really, if you network for me and continue to spread the word to friends and family, that will help a lot!
We are also starting an “Amigo’s program," where you have the opportunity to invest in a personal relationship with one of the boys at Hope House. With regular visits and outings, you can help enrich a boy’s life. We will ask an investment of $1500 pesos for each boy sponsored per year. The commitment to be an Amigo is a year at a time. That money will be earmarked for educational needs for the boy, covering expenses that are school related, including uniforms and such. It is my hope that this will be the manner in which we cover these costs in the future, avoiding the situation we are facing now. The Amigos will also help to recognize their boy’s birthday and give a small gift for Christmas. If this sounds like something you would like to be involved with, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
Blessings,
Meme Thorpe
Vonage phone: 217-391-4575
MX phone: 762-1286
E-mail: thorpe@shmius.org
www.casahogarmexico.org
Editor’s Note: Does it amaze you as it does the Focus team that for less than $150 USD a year, you can cover a boy's education?
Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in excellent standing.
If you are interested in donating money, there are a few ways to do so:
- You can donate pesos directly to Meme Thorpe.
- You can get a tax donation by making a check out to Shepherd’s Heart Ministry and mailing to the states (135 Bill Cox Road, Jonesborough, TN 37659...please specify the money is for Hope House, Mexico) or you can give the check to Meme.
- Or you can go to the website and donate through PayPal: http://www.casahogarmexico.org/hh/Welcome.html
Good luck to everyone. It's great to have an opportunity to support these fine young men, and I hope a lot of you get to meet them!