To Mexico--With Heart

If it’s almost Christmas, then this must be St. Hedwig church in Los Alamitos, where, in what has fast become tradition, eighth-graders take a day off to pack thousands of pounds of food for some of Mexico’s poorest citizens.

This morning, many of the students will make the three-hour, 60-car journey to Tijuana to personally place some 1,100 grocery bags into the hands of the needy.

“The only way these people are going to get out of their situation is with groups like Corazon which will feed their bellies, build them shelter and give them medical attention,” said coordinator Jim Morrissey, referring to the Orange County nonprofit group behind the effort.

“Tijuana is consistently in a state of emergency,” he said. “Everyday, there’s a silent earthquake nobody hears about. Someone loses a home, a cardboard house that blows down in the night with all their belongings . . . or there isn’t enough to eat.”

For Corazon, which is Spanish for heart , helping Tijuana’s poor is a year-round effort. In addition to the frequent trips the 35 members make across the border with donated clothing, food and blankets, Corazon has built 41 houses. And last August, it opened a medical clinic there.

“It’s never the same each time we go,” said Jennie Castillon, 64, the founder of Corazon who was named the 1984 Woman of the Year by the Catholic Diocese of Orange. “I will keep doing this as long as the Lord gives me the strength.”

One boy who couldn’t make today’s ) trip said he will be thinking of the hands that will touch the very onions, oranges and rice he neatly packed on Friday in St. Hedwig’s parking lot.

“I wonder what their thoughts will be as they open up the bags,” said 13-year-old Bill Fallon, tossing in another onion. “I’m happy I can help out.”