Donations Needed

When I traveled to Ethiopia last spring I requested donations but I don't think I gave folks enough time to get them to me and I wasn't specific about what I would like donated. This time I don't want to make that mistake so I am starting early.

Donations needed in my orphanage are infant clothing 0-8 months, infant Tylenol and baby powder. Any of these items would be useful for the caregivers.

For the children in Addis I would also like to create mini care packages. My plan is to fill 100 sandwich-sized Ziplock bags with assorted goodies and have them to hand out to the children I meet. In the bags I would like to include granola bars, small toys, jewelry and hair accessories. I can label the bags "boy" or "girl" before I leave home and every time I venture out of the guest house, I can stuff them into my backpack and hand them out to the children I encounter.

If you are interested in donating any of those items it would be greatly appreciated!

Here is a copy of the official fundraising letter I sent out:



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Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues and all those with a ♥ for adoption,



As many of you know, my life as I know it is about to change in a huge way! For the past two years I have been in the adoption process and, if all goes as planned, by the end of 2009 I should be bringing home a beautiful baby girl from Ethiopia!

The adoption process has been long and character building ☺ but the paperwork is done and the waiting has begun. One of the hardest parts has been the financing. Ethiopian adoptions cost approximately $20,000. This figure includes document preparation and translation, hiring of attorneys and other professionals in the U.S. and Ethiopia, travel and more. I have been blessed to have the support of many wonderful friends and family members and for that I am grateful… but I could still use your help.

♥♥♥

When I travel to Ethiopia this winter, my goal is to bring 100 mini care packages for the children living on the streets of Addis Ababa who will not be adopted. To create these care packages I am collecting the following items: small granola bars, jewelry & hair accessories and small toys. I will be filling sandwich-sized zip lock bags with the assortment of goodies. Would you be wiling to donate a few boxes of mini granola bars, some plastic jewelry or perhaps a few action figures? Be creative. For many of the children these items will become prized possessions. I am willing to decrease my luggage space to make room for your donations but please remember the airlines are strict about weight so the smaller and the lighter the better! Think small! ☺

I am having two yard sales: one on Sept. 26th and another later in the fall. If you have anything you can donate—furniture, clothing, art, toys, etc. please consider donating those items to me. Email me to arrange a pick up or drop off of your items. If you are not the donation-gathering type but will still like to help, I am of course also accepting monetary donations and/or donations of miles to help defray the cost of our travels.

And finally, I can’t say enough about the power of prayer. Prayers for my daughter’s first family, prayers for her health, prayers for our safe travels and prayers for our adjustment as a new family are also very much appreciated.

I know that times are tough. People are pinching pennies and keeping to a budget. The timing of my adoption finalization isn’t the best for me financially, but the time is now. Getting to this point has been truly humbling and now I am just ready to bring my little girl home. Thank you for considering us! I can’t wait to share her photos with you.

With much love and appreciation,


Laura (soon to be a mom!)

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If you would like to donate anything --infant clothing, baby powder, infant Tylenol, granola bars, small toys, stickers, jewelry, hair accessories, money or miles--please email me at:

EthiopiaTen@aol (dot) com

Thank you!!