Church Collecting Christmas Toys for Children in Border Community of Anapra in Mexico

The San José de Anapra Anglican Church in Anapra, Mexico, is collecting Christmas toys to brighten the lives of the 150 children of their deeply impoverished parish this holiday season. (Anapra is the community just outside Ciudad Juárez  where the Catholic bishops from three dioceses along the border hold an annual Mass to commemorate All Saints Day).

For many of the children, your donated toy will be the only toy they receive this Christmas. Please limit your donated toys to ten dollars and under.

Donations of gift bags, or else wrapping paper and tape, are also much appreciated. Toys will be collected in El Paso on three Saturdays -- Nov. 23rd, 30th, and Dec. 7th. Please come forward -- together, we can make a difference!

If you live in the Las Cruces-El Paso area, call Katie-Anita Hudak, wife of Rev. Miguel Angel Ramirez Centeno, rector of San Jose de Anapra, to schedule a pickup, or for more information: 720-401-8195

For those who live closer to the Deming or Silver City, N.M., areas, St. Augustine Anglican Church of Deming and Anglican Holy Trinity in Silver City are collecting toys on behalf of the children of San Jose de Anapra parish. Toys can be dropped off on Sundays through December 6, before or after services. In Deming: South 8th and Birch Streets, one block north of hospital, service at 10:30 a.m. In Silver City: 1801 Alabama St., at the chapel at old St. Mary's, service at 3 p.m. Call Rev. Henry Hoffman for more information or to schedule a toy pickup: 575-313-5797

For those who live outside the area, monetary donations marked "Toys for Anapra" can be made out to "Miguel Angel Ramirez" and sent to: Rev. Miguel Angel Ramirez Centeno 1009 N Florence St., El Paso, Texas ,79902-0000

See video Posted by Billie Greenwood to learn more about San José de Anapra and the community.