Dear Friends and Fans,

This is a new charity in memory of my mother, Helen J. DeMaria who died December 20, 2003 from cancer.  My mom always loved children, her's and everyone else's.  She had a close relationship with her youngest sister, Sister Andrea Verchuck, O. S. B. (my Aunt ZuZu), who is doing amazing mission work in Veracruz, Mexico to help the poor and impoverished familes there.

While my mom's health was quickly declining our family started,  "The Helen J. DeMaria Veracruz Mission Fund".  When my mom died in December, my sister, Joanne, brothers, Ben and Mike, and I made the decision to ask in lieu of flowers that monetary donations be sent...

In February 2004, Sister Andrea was able to take over $4,000.00 in cash to Mexico to purchase clothing and food for the needy families. My mom would have cried tears of joy.

The children pictured need your help. Many of them still sleep on earthen floors; most do not have adequate food or clothing, and many lack time or opportunity for education because they must work to help support the family.

YOU can help by sending donations to:

Benedictine Sisters for the H.J. DeMaria Mission Fund
9535 Linton Hall Road
Bristow, VA.  20136-1217

Some self help projects planned for the near future are poultry raising (a special school with vocational help) and cooperatives.  One of the most basic needs is health care for all, especially for the children who are burdened with birth and/or developmental defects.
 
No donation is too small and all are tax deductible.This is a wonderful way to keep my Aunt, Sister Andrea's great mission work in motion and aid these families.

It does my own heart good to know my mom's name will live on and be appropriately synonymous with helping children!

Much Love & Thanks!

Irene