For Christmas Hands Across the Border decided to reach out and put a smile on the face of some of the children that live in poverty in Urias, the 1st colonia that you come to on your trip from the airport. It is also the site of the city garbage dump. Many people in Urias make their living digging through garbage at the dump looking for things of value such as soda cans, scrap metal, etc. The Make a Child Smile project was such a great success, we've decided to continue it throughout the winter! More than 200 children in the Colonia Urias (out by the city dump) received a new pair of shoes for Christmas thanks to Hands Across the Border project, but there are many more poor children that didn't get shoes as we simply run out of time and sponsors before the scheduled shoe distribution on December 22. There are a lot of folks that don't arrive in Mazatlán until January of February. We know that many of you would like to participate in this king of project. We hope to have every child sponsored by the end of February so that we can distribute the second batch of shoes in early or mid March. We've gone to the homes of the poorest folks and traced the foot print of their children on a sheet of paper along with the name and age of the child. This is where you come in. We will then look for Americans and Canadians to sponsor a child.

You will receive the paper with the child's footprint to buy him or her a new pair of shoes. You can use the fooprint on the paper to get the size right. After purchasing the shoes we would like you to fill up the resta of the space in the box with small gifts such as toys, clothes, socks, candy, toobrushes, td. You can use your imagination. Some people wanto to participate, but don't know where to shop in Mazatlán or, if they're here on vacation, simply don't have time. If this is you, PLEASE consider sponsoring a child for 200 pesos (or the U:S: or Canadian equivalent) abd we'll do the shopping for you! To sponsor a child you can pick the paper with the child's footprint or leave your financial donation at the following locations: Pacific Pearl officces located on Camarón Sábalo 1000- local 4, Golden Zone, behind Farmacia Moderna nexto to Banamex Bank. The Vineyard Church offices located in the Golden Zone, on Camarón Sábalo street No. 333. Across the street from the Panama Restaurant. If you go up the stairs at the Fandango Disco, you'll see our signs on the 2nd floor. Our office is open Tuesday through Sunday fom 9a.m. to 2p.m. or call Fred at 913-0191 or 916-5114. The New Apostolic Church, please contact Gene at 983-9716 or at the church. If you would loke to sponsor 10 or more childen and need a U.S. tax receipt, the Vineyard Church can give you one.