Neighbors hold car wash to keep children in home

Neighbors hold car wash to keep children in home

Published: March 20, 2009

By JASON COX

Of the Keizertimes

When a single mother was placed under hold by immigration officials – apparently leaving her three children to fend for themselves – neighbors have stepped in to help.

The three children, ages 10, 6 and 2, are being cared for by friends and neighbors in her apartment complex while she sits in government custody awaiting deportation proceedings.

They've taken on tasks like making sure the older children get to school, get their baths and food – and even took the youngest boy to the hospital recently during a medical emergency.

And on Friday they organized an impromptu car wash in south Keizer to pay the rent on Blanca Miranda's apartment so her children will have a place to stay until deportation proceedings are completed.

Once that happens, they plan to use the remainder of any money raised to drive the children to the Mexican border to be reunited with their mother.

"We are neighbors," said Armando Heredia. "It's for the children and also for her, because she's a good neighbor."

Araceli Avila, who works for the Salem-Keizer Community Development Corporation that manages the complex, was on hand.

"We're trying to raise enough money to keep her kinds from being homeless," she said.

About a half-dozen of Miranda's friends were either holding signs or scrubbing cars. All have known Miranda and her family for several years.

Irene Zavala said it's important for neighbors to take care of one another.

"It's for the children," Zavala said, "and because I'm a mother too. I may need help someday."

For Rocio Lagos, getting out and pitching in was a simple decision.

"She is my neighbor and friend," Lagos said.