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| The late Rev. Ivan Smith and his wife, Janet |
Change afoot at Mission Socorro
On January 29, 2008, Mission Socorro's director
and the idea behind the organization, Ivan Smith, went to be with his Lord. While it leaves a hole in the hearts of many,
including his wife of 42 years, Janet, she will carry on with the work of Mission Socorro. "It is what Ivan would want," she
says, as she moves to Wisconsin to live next door to some very dear friends of hers.
If you want to see the details of Ivan's life and his
joyous departure from this earth, please read Janet's blog about it here.
The work of Mission Socorro will take on a bit of a different
scope, as many of the contacts will be through the Internet. This has already been active since the website for Mission Socorro
was set up a couple of years ago. You will find the new address and the new phone number on the "Contact" page right here
on the website. Donations can still be made through the PayPal key at the bottom of the page, and are much appreciated.
With today's economy at the bottom of the barrel, and gas prices
so high some families can not even afford to drive back and forth to work, the needs are extremely critical. Thank you in
advance for any of you who can help, whether it is with $5.00, $50.00 or $500.00. All donations are tax exempt and will still,
as always, go directly to the people to whom Mission Socorro ministers. Remember, "Socorro" is an emergency cry of help, and
there are many today who are crying. You can help ease their pain and dry their tears.
WHAT IS MISSION SOCORRO?
Mission Socorro was founded by Rev. Ivan and Janet Smith in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota
in April, 1972. Its original purpose was to help the Mexican-American migrant farm laborers who came to work in the sugar
beets and potatoes. The name, "Socorro," was chosen so the migrants, who were largely Spanish-speaking, could recognize the
organization as a place where they could find help. In Spanish, there are two words for "help." The first word, ayuda,
is what you ask for if you are carrying a heavy bag of groceries into the house. The second word, socorro, is what
you yell if you catch your hand in the door, drop the bag and lose all of its contents and the dog is there to lay its claims
to your meals for the coming week.
After a few years, Mission Socorro outgrew its original purpose. While it continued with its work among the
migrants, there were many other local people who were falling between the cracks of the established "systems," so Mission
Socorro was issued the phone number of (701) 775-HELP (4357). From then on, the work has expanded greatly, dealing with people
from all walks of life who need emergency assistance. No one is refused help because of race, religious affiliation, or economic
status. The goal of Mission Socorro is to help people help themselves. Fortunately, Mission Socorro has very few repeat customers.
For a more complete history of Mission Socorro,
click here
THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY
A CALL TO ACTION
Passionate Internet Voices Radio station
has started a new program, "A Call to Action." The program is hosted by Mission Socorro's own Janet Elaine Smith. Each Thursday
at 8:30 p.m. ET, you can hear what is happening at Mission Socorro, as well as being challenged to do your part wherever you
are.
You don't have to be wealthy or famous to make a difference in today's world. We all have some gift we can share
with someone who is less fortunate than we are.
Please tune in each week to listen to "A Call to Action." The link
below will take you there directly. Please check out the web page PIVTR has set up for Mission Socorro.
Click here to listen to "A Call to Action"
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING
Each month, we will bring you a different "success story" here. Mission Socorro prides itself on the fact that
we have very few "repeat customers." The best response we can have is no response at all; that means the client
is now able to make it on their own.
It is nice that once in awhile somebody out of the past stops back in to let us know what has happened in their lives.
Those are the success stories we want to share with you.
Click here to read the rest of the story
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Put your heart to work by giving |
| Mission Socorro offers a hand up, |
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| Not a handout |
All donations tax deductible when made payable to:
MISSION SOCORRO
Send to:
MISSION SOCORRO
Att.: Janet E. Smith
P.O. Box 264
Amberg, WI 54102
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