Children of the Casa Hogar Sion in Tijuana thank Coronado residents for Christmas presents. Sue Gillingham, co-owner of the 1906 Lodge in Coronado, once again gathered new and gently used items for the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage’s Christmas celebration. With more than 100 children, the orphanage hopes that donors will “adopt” an age group to provide Christmas presents. Sue chose the teen boys this year. Her 15 year old son purged his closet as a good starting point. Then friends from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church pitched in money and new clothes and toiletries. Sue’s book club members joined in as did members of the Coronado Soroptimists Club. Finally, Sue donated “gently used” sheets and towels from the 1906 Lodge. The orphanage receives no funding from the Mexican government and relies on private donations from organizations in the United States for their expenses. All of the children attend school, many for the first time in their lives. The founder, Carmen Gonzalez, is determined to break the cycle of poverty, child abuse, drug use and prostitution that haunt her children. The 1906 Lodge, www.1906lodge.com, welcomes your donations for the orphanage at any time of the year. Their most critical needs are laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby wipes, and cold medicine. New socks, underwear, and shoes of any size are always appreciated. For more information about the orphanage, you can check out their website at www.casahogarsion.com.
