Lydia Patterson Institute
This fully-functioning middle and high school educates young people from around the world, mainly focusing on children from Juárez, Mexico. Over 90% of the students graduate and go on to higher educational opportunities. Western Hills supports this school financially to fund scholarships.
Donation: Money for scholarships
Commitment: N/A
Contact: Rev. Amy Mercer, 584-2133, program524@sbcglobal.net
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age: N/A
Food Pantry
On the first Sunday of each month, food donations are collected and distributed to various agencies throughout El Paso. You may place your items in the blue bins in the Narthex; please clearly mark your donations for the Food Pantry. Non-perishable food may be dropped off on any day of the week.
Donation: Non-perishable food items
Commitment: Any day of the week
Contact: Virginia Beck, 538-7481 caberobeck@hotmail.com
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age: N/A
Thanksgiving Food Blessing
Non-perishable food is accepted for the Food Blessing during the month of November up to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. You may bring your items to the donation bins in the Narthex. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, you may bring perishable food including meats, and other perishable items. The food is sorted that afternoon and delivered to designated families who have been recommended by Houchen Community Center. Other agencies such as the Rescue Mission, Opportunity Center, and Salvation Army will benefit from this event, providing the amount of donations. Please clearly mark your donation for the Food Blessing.
Donation: Food items, including perishables, people to sort/deliver food
Commitment: November up to the Sunday before Thanksgiving 4-6 people to help sort and deliver the food
Contact: Gail Houllion, 584-7038, houllion@sbcglobal.net
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age: Deliverers need a driver license
Houchen Community Center Thanksgiving Dinner
Western Hills Youth, along with adult chaperones, join with other Methodist Youth of El Paso to prepare and serve a community dinner for approximately 600 people at Houchen Community Center on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
Donation: Time
Commitment: Thursday before Thanksgiving
Contact: Mitzi Underwood, 584-2133 youth524@sbcglobal.net
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age – 7th grade
Houchen Baby Shower
Situated in El Segundo Barrio, Houchen Community Center mainly works with low-income families. It has a constant need for baby supplies for its 16 rooms which provide infant care. A display crib is set up in the Narthex and Congregants are asked to take a list from the crib and purchase listed items. These items will be gathered and delivered to Houchen Community Center.
Donation: Bibs, baby oil, baby wash, thermometers, wash cloths, and other baby supplies
Commitment: July
Contact: Gail Houllion, 584-0738, houllion@sbcglobal.net
Special Skills/Needs: None
Minimum Age: N/A
Blanket Sunday
As cold weather approaches, we collect gently-used or new blankets throughout the month of October. The blankets are distributed to various agencies in El Paso, and fire departments in the area. This is a simple mission that has a strong impact on the community.
Donation: New or gently-used blankets
Commitment: Month of October
Contact: Debbie Brinkman, 307-6834, dbrinkman@elp.rr.com
Special Skills/Needs: None
Minimum Age: N/A
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical organization which collaborates with local businesses, churches, and individuals to construct energy-efficient, affordable homes for low-income families in need. Families who receive assistance from Habitat for Humanity must meet the following qualifications: they must be first-time home buyers, demonstrate the need for adequate shelter, demonstrate the ability to pay a mortgage, and must be able to invest “sweat equity” hours in the construction of their home. There are many opportunities to volunteer for help, including office assistance, serving on committees, financial or material donations, or helping with construction. Western Hills plans to organize and deploy volunteer construction crews to support this organization.
Donation: Money, time, effort, and/or expertise
Commitment: Half-day per quarter, or as often as desired
Contact: Mark Brinkman, 307-6834, mabrinkman@elp.rr.com
or: Habitat for Humanity El Paso, Inc. (915) 755-6633 or www.habitat.orgSpecial Skills/Needs: None
Minimum Age: 16
Angel Tree
In December, an Angel Tree is set up in the Narthex for children being served by Centro Santa Catalina in our sister city of Juarez. The Angel Tree has ornament/tags with information of an individual child, and their Christmas gift wishes. Congregants are asked to take a tag from the tree and purchase their gift wishes and place the wrapped gifts under the tree. The gifts will then be distributed to the children. Volunteers are needed to help decorate the tree collect gifts.
Donation: Wrapped gifts for children.
Commitment: Month of December
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age: N/A
Contact: Becky Martin 584-5239
Drive a Meal
During the month of May, our congregants deliver hot meals to homebound residents. The noon meal is prepared by Sierra Hospital and delivered by our volunteers. Meals and delivery instructions are picked up at Sierra Hospital at 10:30 a.m. The routes cover Central, East and West areas of El Paso. You may sign up in the Narthex and choose the route you would like.
Donation: Once a week during May, or even for one or more days
Commitment: About 2 hours for one day
Contact: Ann Hallmark, 584-2683, ahallmark@elp.rr.com
Special skills: Ability to drive, better with 2 people, one to drive and one to read directions.
Minimum age: Must have a driver’s license
Opportunity Center Meals
On the 1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday of each month, members prepare meals and/or serve the dinner at the Opportunity Center. Members are needed to prepare a portion of a weekend meal (menu and recipe provided), help deliver the meals and serve the food. Members can assist regularly, or on a one-time basis. This is a great hands-on way for the family to help the less fortunate!
Donation: Requested food and/or time to serve a dinner to the homeless monthly
Commitment: Select your month: 1st Saturday and/or 3rd Sunday of each month. This does not have to be a regular commitment.
Contact: 1st Saturday: Gail Houllion, 584-0738, houllion@sbcglobal.net, 3rd Sunday: Delpha Dunning, 231-6436
Special Skills/Needs: Minimal cooking skills or ability to serve
Minimum age: 12
Opportunity Center Sandwiches
Each Friday, volunteers make two loaves of bread into sandwiches for the homeless at the Opportunity Center. Each volunteer delivers their sandwiches to the church office by 11:00 a.m.
Donation: Sandwiches made weekly
Commitment: One Friday a month, your choice
Contact: Carol Pancoast, 584-7810
Special Skills/Needs: Ability to make sandwiches
Minimum age: N/A
Blood Drive
Four times a year on Sunday, the United Blood Service comes to Western Hills. The van arrives during worship services and stays until noon. You may sign up for your choice of time in the Narthex.
Donation: Blood Donation
Commitment: Four times a year
Contact: Nancy Haegele, 833-3114, nhaegele@elp.rr.com
Special Skills/Needs: N/A
Minimum Age: 18
As-Needed Missions
Western Hills also supports the following on an as-needed basis:
Rescue Mission of El Paso
The Rescue Mission helps homeless people who need food and a place to stay. Food and toiletries donations are appreciated. You may place your items in the blue bins in the Narthex—clearly mark your donation for the Rescue Mission.
Dame la Mano
Dame la Mano is a crisis pregnancy home for women in need. Food, diapers, clothes and monetary donations are needed. You may place your items in the blue bins in the Narthex, please clearly mark your donation for Dame la Mano.
Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso
The Advocacy Center is a safe environment for abused children. They are interviewed by needed agencies, to include law enforcement to determine their needs. Financial aid, healthy snacks and supplies are appreciated. You may place your items in the blue bins in the Narthex—clearly mark your donation for the Advocacy Center.