Episcopal Church raises $4,500 for Mexican children

Last week's benefit for impoverished Mexican children, hosted by Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, was a huge success. More than 200 people packed the church's community hall for a program showcasing John Muir, his writings, and his philosophy.

With an overflow crowd spilling into the church hallways, Don Baldwin, a retired Methodist minister from California, entertained the assemblage with his portrayal of John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and pioneer of environmental awareness. Baldwin followed his performance with a three-screen panoramic slide show of John Muir's favorite refuge, Yosemite National Park.

More importantly, according to Jan Baldwin, one of the event organizers, the benefit raised more than $4,500 for hungry children in Mexico. The Sisters church has partnered with the First Congregational Church of San Rafael, California, in a program known as Every Dollar Feeds Kids (EDFK). The churches are targeting a small village near Cuernavaca, south of Mexico City.

Local resident Randy King visited the village last year and explained EDFK to the attendees. In summary, EDFK focuses on improving the lives of poverty-stricken children by helping provide nutrition and improving overall well-being. Organizers pointed out that, since EDFK is a volunteer-based organization, every dollar really does feed kids by going directly to assistance for the children.

Regarding the event, Jan Baldwin said, "It certainly surpassed any real expectations of mine."

That seemed to sum the sentiment of the organizers, who all shared a sense of amazement at how well it all turned out.

Baldwin said additional donations were still trickling in, raising the possibility that donations could top $5,000.

As part of their continuing support to the village, the church is also sponsoring a Spanish-language children's book drive to send books to the same village. The church plans to send the funds and books to Cuernavaca early next month, so donations are still being accepted.

As it turned out, outreach to Cuernavaca wasn't the only ministry served by last week's event. In spite of the huge turnout, Jan Baldwin said, "We had enough cookies to feed an army, and we froze those that were left for use at our Bethlehem Inn Project in Bend.

"Muchas gracias to all," she added.