In the past year, AMA Without Borders has provided more than $300,000 in emergency aid and resources to families in Mexico who were displaced by a flood that wiped out 86 homes across 10 neighborhoods. Co-Founder and Executive Director, Erika Plunkett, said the stress of finding a new home landed on top of the COVID-19 struggles many faced.
“It started with helping just a few people, and within weeks times it was in the thousands. All together in 2020 it was over 4,000 local people and over in Mexico it was over 20,000 that we fed during the shutdowns," Plunkett said.
While some families have now immigrated to West Michigan, others remain in areas such as Zapopan. Plunkett said both face challenges that will likely impact the holiday season, which is why AMA Without Borders launched a multi-city toy drive for families across borders.
“There’s just something about getting a shiny wrapped present, and some kids never get a new gift, they never have gotten a new toy, so just getting that new experience I think it brings a lot of joy and hope for the future," Plunkett said.
The group is accepting donations with preference to items like books, dolls of color and educational devices.
“It’s a big ask... but devices for kids who maybe don’t have access to a laptop, especially if they are maybe the only English speaking one in their family," Plunkett said.
Information regarding the toy drive and donation sites can be found here.
