COMMUNITY CORNER
The American Benevolent Society (ABS) hosted a belated Mother’s Day luncheon Monday, May 16, for members and friends in the Union Church auditorium.
More than 50 mothers and their adoring children and other family members showed up to pay homage to the dedication and sacrifice of mothers everywhere with a delicious lunch of fresh green salad, almond-baked fish fillet and pesto noodles, followed by a succulent red velvet cake, lovingly prepared by the ABS’ Genevieve Mooser.
There was also a competitive game of bingo with exciting prizes and a concert of classical and pop music by the very talented Teresa Landeros.
ABS executive director Barbara Franco welcomed the guests with a stirring description of how the holiday, which traditionally falls on May 10 in Mexico and is particularly focused on family, often takes on a special meaning for people living overseas, who cannot always be with the ones they love most.
She said that part of the ABS mission is to reach out to U.S. citizens living in Mexico who may not have families here and make them feel loved and appreciated throughout the year.
Franco also spoke about the ABS’s ongoing program to help locate and document the more than 600,000 children born to undocumented Mexican migrant workers in the United States, who are now in a political and legal limbo in Mexico.
With the help of a $60,000 grant from the International Rotary Club, she said, the ABS, U.S. Embassy and Mexican officials are now reaching out to these children who, if they do not obtain the proper paperwork, could face major hurdles in accessing education, health and work services.
Founded in 1868, the American Benevolent Society is a nonprofit organization that provides charitable assistance to both U.S. and Mexican nationals during periods of personal distress or financial need.
More Information
The American Benevolent Society’s offices are located inside Union Church at Paseo de la Reforma 1870 in Lomas de Chapultepec, and are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The ABS operates a nonprofit used book store called Caza Libros which is also located inside Union Church, at Paseo de la Reforma 1870 in Lomas de Chapultepec. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ABS also operates the American Cemetery, located at Calzada Mexico-Tacuba 1175 in the Argentina Antigua neighborhood (tel: 5399-3645).
For more information, call the American Benevolent Society office at 5540-5123