EMERGENCY APPEAL From Bishop James E. Dorff On behalf of Bishop Raul Garcia de Ochoa re:   flooding in Eastern Conference Methodist Church of Mexico including the Rio Grande Valley.   This is an emergency request for assistance.   Items are needed immediately.   The last collection date will be Tuesday, July 27.   Another appeal may be necessary in order to meet the needs on the U.S. side of the border. Cash gifts are most urgently needed and should be given through the SWTX Conference Disaster Response – Conference Advance #2050.   Please designate “Mexico Disaster Response” on the memo line with the Advance #.   SPECIFIC items requested:                 Water (bottles)                 Beans (2 lb bags)                 Rice (2 lb bags)                 Cereal (Varieties of Cheerios/Chex)                 Canned Goods (Tuna/Corn/Tomatoes)                 Fideo (pasta)                 Disposable Diapers IMPORTANT NOTE:   Expiration date on any item must not be less than 3 months, preferably 6 months. No clothes, PLEASE. Drop points for items in each District:                 Kerrville District:   First UMC, Johnson City                                 Contact Person:   George Barnette – george@bnpr.com                   Corpus Christi District:   Corpus Christi District Office                                 Contact Persons:   John Alsbrook s – j.alsbrooks@att.net                                                                 Mickey Viar -   mviarwelder@gmail.com                   San Angelo District:   First UMC, Del Rio or First UMC, San Angelo                                 Contact Persons:   Cheri Brewster – cheri@firstmethodist.net                                                                 Sherrie Walker – sherrie@firstmethodist.net                                                                               San Antonio District:   SWTX Conference Office                                 Contact Person:   Tom Warner – twarner1@earthlink.net                   Austin District:   Austin District Office                                 Contact Person:   Emmett Eary - emmett.eary@sbcglobal.net                   McAllen District:   First UMC, Laredo and First UMC, McAllen                                 Contact Person:   Susan Hellums – shellums@mcfirst.com                   Victoria District:   First UMC, Victoria                                 Contact Person:   Ron Langford – brlangfor@aol.com   Items will be transported to Mexico and given through the Methodist Church of Mexico to those in need.   Many families along the border have been evacuated from their homes and communities but in other areas such as Monterrey there has been major flooding and deaths that have occurred, as well. Any questions, please contact Susan Hellums, Border Area Mission Coordinator (956)648-8509 or shellums@mcfirst.com THANK YOU!