Childhood knows no borders. Humanity knows no citizenship.
Temple Emanuel’s Social Action Committee has been actively engaged over the past few weeks in an effort to help refugee families in the Rio Grande Valley. In response to pleas from the Religious Action Center (RAC) to URJ congregations, we were identified as the GO TO PLACE. We are ground zero for this crisis and we gladly accept the responsibility. In the past few weeks, we have received, sorted, and delivered to the Respite Center boxes, and boxes, and boxes of diapers, personal hygiene and toiletries, stuffed animals, blankets, and scores of small toys.
These photos were taken at the respite center ribbon-cutting of Bright Horizons’ new Bright space. The first photo shows Mark Mendel president of Bright Horizons Foundation, Eileen Henderson one of his associates, Sister Norma Pimentel, director of the respite center and Temple Emanuel member Mike Blum.
. 
This was an impactful transformation of an ugly, non-functional space to a warm, welcoming, engaging space for children. Bright Horizons is based in Boston, Massachusetts but they found us and made this generous commitment to helping. This is just the beginning of what we can do when we come together for meaningful social action.
. 
Support for the efforts of our Social Action Committee has come from all over the country. Debbie Rose and her husband, from Chappaqua NY, raised $6,569 in two days! Debbie was overwhelmed by the support and said “Together we made a HUGE impact! ….. Words cannot express our thanks to everyone who made this whole thing happen. It grew into something truly amazing!” Below is a photo from one of her Wal-Mart runs!
If you want to contribute to the effort we will gratefully accept your donation HERE.
