Putting Together Bundles for Baja

Stunned by the devastating loss of life and damage in Tijuana from last weekend’s storm, Corazon, one of Orange County’s largest volunteer organizations, is mounting an effort to send blankets, food and other necessities to homeless victims.

“We will be loading up several trucks and cars and taking them down to Tijuana on Saturday,” said John A. Torrence III, 39, president of Corazon, which is Spanish for “heart.”

The group has been helping people in Baja California for 20 years and has built more than 350 homes in some of the poorest areas from Tijuana to Ensenada.

“This is a time of emergency and physically there’s a need,” Torrence said. “Emotionally and psychologically, it’s important for people down there in Mexico to see us so they remember that we in the United States are willing to come down in good and bad times and help them.”

For Torrence, helping in a time of need is keeping with the organization’s philosophy “to serve the poor, anywhere and any time.”

Instead of taking power tools and lumber, Corazon trucks will be loaded with blankets and food.

This week, Corazon volunteers went shopping with $3,000 the group donated to buy emergency items for Saturday’s trip to the border. Still needed are such items as fresh fruit, said Marianne Vecchione, who is in charge of getting donations.

Other needed items are: canned food, coffee, beans in bulk, plastic tarps, flashlights, ponchos, warm hats and baby clothes, vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, and chlorine or bleach to disinfect walls and cupboards splattered with mud.

“Unfortunately, we don’t need used clothing, because that is the most time-consuming and labor intensive to sort out by sizes ready for families,” Torrence said. “But if anyone has tarps to donate, please do and nylon cord to help tie them down.”

Donations can be delivered to Corazon’s warehouse, 23400 Peralta Drive, Suite E, Laguna Hills, from 9 a.m. to noon today and Friday. Information: (714) 830-7495.

Financial donations can be sent to: Corazon, P.O. Box 3491, Mission Viejo CA 92690.

Donations also can be sent to the Red Cross, P.O. Box 11364, Santa Ana CA 92711-1364.