Thank you to everyone who helped send Christmas gifts to orphans!
This orphanage is located in the town of Sumy in the Ukraine and is for children between the ages of 7 and 17. There is very little government funding available to help children in this country. The funds they do receive are needed for fundamentals like food and limited medical supplies.
These children only receive other things they might need through the kindness of donations.
We prepared Christmas gifts for 140 children who live at the orphanage in Sumy
on Saturday, September 27th at 10am at our office on the corner of Main and Franklin. We enjoyed a terrific breakfast together, listened to Christmas music and packed 140 gift bags which were then sent to the Ukraine.
Here is a general idea of what each child will receive for Christmas...
a hand-sewn bag to carry their things
(many thanks to the ladies of Hil-Rom for making these bags!)
a small gift (for example, the girls will receive a cross-stitch project)
some hard candy
a few toiletries (deodorant, soap, toothpaste, etc)
a few school supplies (small notepad, pencils, pens, etc)
MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED
SMALL ITEMS FOR THE GIFT BAGS!
We understand that it may be difficult for any one person to buy 140 items...but many people each donated 15-30 small items (razors, soap, gloves, candy, etc) to help ensure that each child received something.
Please remember, this is the ONLY gift these children will receive. These children are not asking for an X-box, designer clothes or electronics. Their wish lists are socks, gloves, hats, basic school supplies and basic toiletries. Thank you for making this a special holiday!
HOW DID WE GET INVOLVED?
Several years ago, my sister had made several beautiful quilts. She had hoped to donate them to needy children locally and went looking for someone interested in her donation. Time after time, she was told that the children in our foster-care / social services system here in the U.S. have their needs met through the funding they receive. They receive regular stipends for new clothes, for bedding, for toys, for birthday and holiday celebrations.
They certainly need support and love but they did not need donations.
She was soon approached by someone who was already involved in sponsoring an orphanage in the Ukraine. This woman had become involved because she had adopted a child from the orphanage and had been heartbroken by the poverty and poor conditions. She couldn't stop thinking about the children still living in there and began working with other mothers to send necessities to these kids. She introduced my sister to their organization and she has been involved ever since.
WE HAVE CONFIDENCE THESE KIDS RECEIVE THESE
DONATIONS AND THEY ARE SO VERY GRATEFUL AND
HAPPY FOR THE LITTLE THINGS THEY RECEIVE!
How do we know the kids receive what we send them? My sister has sponsored a boy from the Ukraine for nearly 5 years. She is confident he receives the special things she sends to him because she receives photos of him opening his packages. She sees him holding up the jeans she picked out or the new blankets. He is so happy to have something special just for him! He has written her numerous letters over the years expressing his gratitude. The things she sends are not expensive but he is happy and excited and grateful for these small things like new jeans, shoes a backpack or school supplies.
HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?
There are several important ways you can help...
help us with our blanket and sheet drive...
we are trying to get 140 blankets and 140 sheets (the orphanage has told us this is
a current high need) -- please consider donating an extra twin blanket or set of twin sheets
Think of the orphans as you do your regular shopping...ever seen a great bargain at WalMart?
Pants for a dollar or shoes for a just a few bucks but thought, "What a great deal! But I don't know anyone that size!" Consider buying that bargain for an orphan!
We take for granted the simplest things like feminine hygiene products. Feminine hygiene products are disposable items which means the orphanage has to buy them regularly. If they do not have the money, the girls are simply asked to stay in their rooms or in the bathrooms. Tampons and pads are not glamorous gifts but imagine life without them...consider donating a few packages when you can.
Thank you for your help!!!
