HIDALGO – Concerns over donations for earthquake victims in Mexico falling into the hands of corrupt officials and organizations have some relief efforts changing the way they deliver their assistance.

In the Rio Grande Valley, an unusual partnership between friends is skipping it all by delivering straight to those in need.

Tejano singer Bobby Pulido joined efforts with a police force and a doctor to spearhead the effort in helping the earthquake victims. And they’re calling on Texans to donate.

“I brag about Texans all the time (in Mexico). So I’d like for it to come true,” Pulido said.

The South Texas native used his star power to galvanize the public to the cause. After all, he lived through last week’s earthquake that has claimed the lives of more than 200 people in central Mexico.

“I knew right away that something wasn’t right because you would feel the shake really, really ugly,” he said.

Pulido said he was lucky nothing happened to him, just a block from his apartment in Mexico City he saw buildings collapse.

The scenes of destruction and how Mexican citizens came together is what prompted Pulido’s friend, Dr. Carlos Villarreal, to get him and city of Hidalgo officials to begin collecting donations on their own, especially after allegations surfaced of corrupt Mexican officials confiscating donations.

“Everything is documented because there’s so much mistrust of what’s going on,” Pulido said.

With Pulido’s contacts, and in coordination with Mexican Highway Patrol, they said they will guarantee victims will receive all the items donated.

It made Juan Eugenio Cantu Jr. feel reassured that his family’s effort will not be in vain.

“I’ve been seeing the news and there’s a lot of tragedies going on in the whole world and I’m just trying to help,” he said.

The community joining in to fill up trailers with everything from food to clothes to tools and medication.

Raquel Terrazas was looking for an easier way to donate so she visited a donation site.

Jose Rivera, another donator, said now it’s for them, maybe tomorrow it could be us.

Organizers said they are going to continue collecting donations for the next several months at all of their drop-off locations in the Rio Grande Valley, as the need is ongoing.

Items needed in areas devastated by the recent earthquakes in Mexico include:

· Toilet paper

· Toothbrushes

· Shampoo

· Soap

· Shaving razors

· Batteries

· Handheld lamps

· Power generators

· Medical supplies

· Non-perishable food

The following are locations receiving donations:

Dr. Carlos Villarreal

2601 West Trenton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539

(956) 664-1695

State Farm Arena

2600 N. 10th St., Hidalgo, TX 78557

(956) 843-2737

Selah Hospice Care

1101 E. Dallas Ave. Unit 6, McAllen, TX 78501

(956) 801-0895