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Lonestar
10-15-2008, 03:59 PM
I've posted this in a couple of areas.. It is a worth while issue and ask for your help.. this thread is for those that do not opt into the lounge or P&R..


This orphanage and church is heavily supported by my church.. I ask everyone on this forum to vote for this gal.

Maria Ruiz

The school my daughter went to as part of there spring and winter breaks have kids go across the border to build room by room this complex for these kids.. in her senior year my daughter went over and pull several thousand feet of romex to allow electricity in half to the complex.. Some of the guys did plumbing so they could take showers..

We not only donate money, but the church does a food drive all holidays and about once every other month to help feed the kids.. It is a great feeling loading 4-5 pickups and vans full of beans/rice in the 30-50 lbs sacks to help these folks out...

We have a huge Christmas Tree in the church that overflows with footballs/basketball/doll/shoes/sweatshirts/big trucks and cars..

and Christmas is really special everyone gets $5 (supposed to be but many are 15-20) gifts.. nothing less so kids do not fight for them..



Here is the web site help me win this $100K for this worthy cause.. vote and vote often for them..

*****************


http://heroes.cnn.com/default.asp#cnnContainer

Maria Ruiz


EL PASO, Texas (CNN) -- El Paso native Maria Ruiz knows firsthand how different life can be a mere 30-minute drive south of her Texas home.


The sight of families living in homes made of wooden pallets pushed Maria Ruiz into action.

"Just by crossing the border, you're in a Third World country," Ruiz said.

For 12 years, she's traveled several times a week to the outskirts of Juarez, Mexico, bringing aid to hundreds of impoverished children and their families. Vote for Maria, one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes for 2008

Ruiz's family has roots in Juarez, but it wasn't until 1996 that she ventured outside the city.

There, for the first time, she saw poverty in the extreme. People lived in homes made of wooden pallets. The elementary school was built of makeshift materials and had no running water or electricity. Teachers told her that many children were failing because they were hungry.

"My heart went out to those kids," Ruiz recalled. "I couldn't just cross my arms and turn away from it. I needed to do something."

Ruiz got donations from El Paso businesses, and within one week, she was running a food program out of her home. She cooked meals in her kitchen and drove the food south to the Juarez school.

She fed approximately 1,200 children every day for three and a half years, until the businesses she depended on for donations shut down in 1999.

But that didn't stop Ruiz from helping the children in Juarez. Now, working with her husband and two children, she gathers donations from around El Paso -- food, clothing, toys, even furniture -- and distributes them at local "giveaways" a couple of times a month.

This is no easy task. The Mexican government charges customs fees when large amounts of goods are brought across the border. To avoid this, Ruiz makes several trips every week.

"You bring the stuff little by little, like the ants," she said.

Although the trip south can be just 30 minutes, long lines coming back into the U.S. mean the return trip can take a couple of hours. On top of that, Juarez is at the center of a drug war, so Ruiz needs to take precautions to ensure her safety. But for her, helping kids in need is worth the effort. Watch Ruiz describe why she takes risks to help kids (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/04/17/heroes.ruiz/index.html#cnnSTCVideo)»

"When you make a child smile," she said, "it's awesome."

Although conditions have improved, most families that Ruiz helps still live in poverty, so the Ruiz family has plans to do even more.

They're building a community kitchen with space to feed 500, an orphanage for 100 residents and a trade school. They work on the complex every weekend, and although there's more to do, they're hoping to be open this summer.

The very thought of seeing the orphanage up and running makes Ruiz smile. Watch Ruiz describe how she's helping turn a hill into a haven (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/04/17/heroes.ruiz/index.html#cnnSTCVideo) »

"It'll be a dream come true when it happens," she said. "I pray that it is soon."

Strong religious beliefs help keep Ruiz motivated, and her family's efforts are part of their ministry, called JEM (Jesus es Mana) Ministries. Their Juarez complex even includes a small sanctuary where her husband preaches every Sunday. But Ruiz stresses that they're happy to help anyone, regardless of their beliefs.

"We are open to the community as a whole," she said. "It's equal for everybody." Watch Ruiz talk about bringing aid across the border (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/04/17/heroes.ruiz/index.html#cnnSTCVideo)

Ruiz says the children have kept her coming back to Juarez. When she reflects on her work, she doesn't consider herself a hero.

"I know I can do much more"


http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/04/17/heroes.ruiz/index.html


PLEASE help thousands of kids on this..

JR

Nick
10-17-2008, 04:47 PM
JR never saw this until now. I voted and emailed the people at my work also.

Lonestar
10-19-2008, 12:34 AM
:bump:

for votes

Jaws
10-19-2008, 05:59 PM
Voted :beer:

Great cause to support. :salute:

Lonestar
10-21-2008, 02:20 AM
:bump2:

http://heroes.cnn.com/default.asp#cnnContainer

Maria Ruiz




***

Lonestar
10-21-2008, 02:20 AM
:bump2:

http://heroes.cnn.com/default.asp#cnnContainer

Maria Ruiz




***

Rick
10-21-2008, 03:51 PM
*voted*