Children at Hogar Infantil Orphanage in Chiapas, Mexico

DATE: 1/12/05

CONTACT: Bob Lippert, (864) 656-3502

Jason Caudill, (864) 638-5889

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

4-H’ers raise money for Mexican orphanage

WALHALLA – As a Christmas project, a Walhalla 4-H Hispanic Club raised $350 for a group of middle school students at an orphanage in Mexico .

The 4-H members raised the money by making a 4-H poster of their summer activities that won first place at the Upstate Fair and second place at the Anderson County Fair last fall. They also held a car wash.

The orphanage, called Hogar Infantil, is located in Chiapas .

A supporter of the orphanage flew to southern Mexico and purchased school supplies with the funds, which he delivered to the orphanage. He also presented bracelets made by the Walhalla 4-H’ers, personal letters, photos of the club members, brochures from the local Chamber of Commerce about the Walhalla community, and a video of a walking tour of Walhalla.

The Walhalla 4-H’ers received a video from the orphanage showing parts of their Christmas program and photos of the students.

“They have expressed a desire to write to our group,” said Bob Lippert, 4-H youth educator and Latino liaison.

There is a web page about the orphanage which can be seen at http://www.hogarinfantil.org/home.html.

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