Last Call--Supply Drive!

We're leaving soon, so the supply drive is wrapping up! We're collecting the last few bits this week. We're still looking for a few wooden massagers, jars of nail polish, lip balms or lip glosses, small photo albums, gel pens, stationary sets, and-sugarless gum with xylitol. Any money collected at this point will go toward programming--super important.

AND we're collecting LETTERS!!!!! Don't forget, the letters are the best thing we can bring. Anything that gets to us by Sept 7 can go with us.

We're getting excited to see our kids again! Thanks to all of you, generous Sovietsk Supporters!

What $20 Can Do

At Under the Sun cafe a few weeks back, a kind woman (with a pretty voice) contributed $20 towards the Sovietsk fund drive. She apologized, saying that was all she had. I responded, with gratitude, "Do you know what we can do with $20?" We can
-purchase gift bags for four children, OR
-purchase supplies for a fun (and therapeutic) activity, such as face painting, OR
-purchase items just for fun, like a movie or smores at the bonfire, OR
-supply a child with personal care products for the year, OR
-supply 2 children with cold weather gear, OR
-purchase much-needed school supplies, OR
-purchase a bus ticket for Seryozha to come back from his village to see us.

Any ideas what our top priority is?



In reality, we'll be able to do many of those things--possibly even all of those things--because of simple generosity of $5 here, $10 there. Every year, it seems we hit a point where we wonder if it will all come together. And every year, the small and large donations add up, and we are able to share generously with the children at Sovietsk.

We know things are tight financially for many people now--believe us, we know! But we also know that it feels good to give, and that small gifts make a big impact. Remember the woman who gave all she had?

Last year, in the emotional family talk that preceded this photo, Sergey shared one of his greatest fears about graduation was that he wouldn't be able to see us anymore. Thank you, kind donors, for helping to ease his fears.

Latest Supply Drive Update!

Had lunch with a lovely friend who writes to one of our kids, and now it's time to update the supply list! Gotta love good deals and dollar bins. :) THANK YOU!!!

Still need:
-30 stress balls (preferably with gel inside and faces are great)
-33 wooden massagers
-10 jars of nail polish
-25 lip balms or lip glosses
-27 small photo albums
-19 gel pens
-26 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

And, of course, $$ and letters are always welcome. :)

Another Supply Drive Update

The trip is coming up very soon and we're getting pretty excited. The good news is that we've gotten some items donated recently. Some very nice people have purchased flashlights and batteries for all 33 kids! But we still have some work to do. So here's an update on what we still need for our supply drive:

-30 stress balls (preferably with gel inside and faces are great)
-33 wooden massagers
-16 jars of nail polish
-33 lip balms or lip glosses
-31 small photo albums
-31 gel pens
-28 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

We're also looking for people to write letters to the kids for us to take with us. On the right side of the blog you'll find some tips and guidelines for writing letters. If you'd like to write a letter, simply comment on this post and we'll get in touch with you.

You can also of course donate money to the Sovietsk Fund at Children's HopeChest (hopechest.org). This money goes toward supplies and programming.

Thanks to everyone who has chipped in. It always comes together every year.

New Friends and Supply Update

This morning, Ben and I visited Whiteland UMC at their Under the Sun Cafe to share about our kids at Sovietsk. We had a great time meeting new people and left very encouraged. Thank you Dennis, Ginger, Pastor Joe, and everyone who welcomed us so warmly!

At the church, a lovely woman donated a huge amount of top quality scrapbooking supplies. After sorting through them, I am even more moved by her generosity. THANK YOU! We are so excited to share these with the kids and help them begin their lifebooks, a big help in their journey to understand their identities.

The supply drive is well underway! We are still hoping for:
-33 stress balls (preferably with gel inside, and faces are great!)
-33 wooden massagers
-17 mini flashlights + batteries (though this may be taken care of!)
-16 jars of nail polish
-33 lip balms/lip glosses
-31 small photo albums
-31 gel pens
-28 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

$1 stores and bargain bins are great places to find these items.

Cash always works as well. :) Thanks to those of you who have sent funds for programs and travel, and for others who have contributed funds toward the supply drive (so we can purchase items to fill the gaps).

In other exciting news, we are expecting to bring 4 laptops with us to leave at the orphange. We are so grateful!!

Finally, don't forget, letters are the best thing we can bring. We can always bring more of those. Thanks to everyone who is sending their love.

It's Supply Drive Time Again!

We are heading back to Russia in just over a month. If you’d like to be a part of our trip, you can help us as we collect supplies to take to the orphanage.

Last year’s gift packs were a huge hit. The kids were so surprised and proud to receive special items just for them!

This year, we’re hoping for: 33 stress balls (preferably with gel inside, and faces are great!), 33 wooden massagers, 17 mini flashlights + batteries, 16 jars of nail polish, 33 lip balms/lip glosses , 33 small photo albums, 33 gel pens, toy fruits and vegetables, sugarless gum with xylitol, glow-in-the dark stickers, scrapbooking supplies (stickers and paper), and stationary.

$1 stores and bargain bins are great places to find these items.

If you'd like to donate items, please leave a comment and we will get in touch you.