Mission Trip to Laredo

Humanitarian Crisis at Our Border
First UU Church’s Mission Trip to Laredo
Aug. 15-19

Volunteers Needed Urgently!

Have you been heartsick at the news about refugee families arriving from Central America and wishing you could do something about the humanitarian crisis at our border?

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston is planning a Mission Trip to help at a refugee center in Laredo, Aug. 15-19. We need up to 15 volunteers to make the trip.

According to Catholic Charities’ refugee center’s staff, about 250 asylum seekers arrive each day and volunteers are needed to help take phone calls, buy bus tickets, welcome people, help in the kitchen, sort donations, etc. Although, speaking Spanish is not necessary, having some Spanish speakers would be helpful.

Donations of items for refugees are also welcome but they must be received no later than Aug. 14.

Departure:
We will be leaving the Houston area in cars the morning of Thursday, Aug. 15 to make the 5-hour drive to Laredo.

Volunteer Needs:
We will work at the center Thursday afternoon plus all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Monday we plan to work in the morning before making the drive home that afternoon, returning to Houston on Monday, Aug. 19.

Accommodations:
We can stay for free in the parish hall of the local Catholic Church, or we can share double rooms at a local motel at the cost of about $50 per person a night.

Other Ways to help:
Anyone who cannot make the trip but who wants to help can either bring donations to the church or order any of the following items and have them delivered. Contact us at firstuu.thoreau@gmail.com, for delivery address. Donated items must be delivered NO LATER than Wednesday, Aug.14.

Items Needed:
Snacks for the snack bags the families are given to take on their journey
Baby bottles
New of gently used shoes for children or small adults
Trash Bags – 30 Gallons and 13 Gallons
Baby Formula Powder (0-6 months & 6months+)
Women’s sanitary Products
Underwear (children and small adults)
Plastic Eating Utensils
Detergent, Clorox
Gently used Bath Towels

If you would like to be part of this UU Mission Trip, please contact us ASAP at firstuu.thoreau@gmail.com