Giving Thanks...

Most of us tonight, are sitting, with hearts and bellies full from today's celebration of Thanks. We all have so much to be thankful for, no matter what our circumstance. On days like today, it is especially important to remember those who are away from their families, or whose feast might not be all that we think of when we think of this day. My thoughts go daily to Ethiopia... to the children I've fallen in love with in orphanages, and on the streets...to the friends I've made on my journeys and to our sweet kids in the sponsorship program. Today, though, I give thanks for you. I am humbled and grateful for all of you who step out in faith and make this life better for those in need. For a child half-way around the world, in a place you may never go. To give Hope, is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. For each donation to the project, for every prayer, you offer the hope of a better future. I thank you for your continued support of our programs.

With just 26 days left till' Christmas, we are still a long way off of our goal for this years project. I received only $50 this week towards our goal of $9,120. We currently have $5,750, and need to raise $3,370.

$1,220 of that will cover the remainder of the tuition for our 5 girls in boarding school.

The other $2,150 is what we still need for our small business grant. This years grant will be benefiting two very deserving families. One of the families consists of a father, mother and 4 older children. They have stuggled through the years, and the children are very far behind in school. The parents have both been without work for a long time, and could really use a hand up to get back on their feet. They are hard working people, who would love the opportunity to start a small injera and bread baking business to bring in much needed income to their family.

The second family is an older sister taking care of her 4 siblings (both parents are deceased). Kidist the oldest, was left disabled after contracting polio as a child. She operates a small shop where she does hair braiding, but she struggles to put food on the table and keep the kids in school. She would love to be able to expand her tiny shop and bring in more business for her family.

This small business grant is more than just handing over funds to someone. It's investing in their future. I'm so excited about this portion of the project.

If you have not already made your donation for this years project, I hope that you will help us make our goal.

Below is the breakdown.

*****
*Kidane Mihret
100 Backpacks
3 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($60 each = $180)

HAVE $180!!!
NEED 100 backpacks

*Sele Enat
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)
$100 for party (foods/sodas/supplies)

HAVE $220!!!
NEED Gifts for children

*BMI
Clothes and gifts for the children ($100)

HAVE $100
NEED $0

*Kids Care
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)

HAVE $120!!!
NEED Gifts for Children

*Sponsorship Program
Dinner and Party for Sponsorship Students $300
Backpacks for all students (X 15)
Family bonuses to benefit whole family for food/clothing/rent, etc.
$50 each family (not including boarding school girls =$200)

HAVE $500!!!!!
NEED 15 backpacks

Boarding school girls- gifts of clothing (underwear, shoes, etc.)

*Small Business GRANT
$3,000 to help a deserving individual start up their own small business to help themselves and their families towards a better life!

HAVE $850
NEED $2,150

*Boarding School Tuition $5,000

HAVE $3,780
NEED $1,220
********

Total Needed (not including gifts): $9,120
What we have: $5,750

STILL NEEDED : $3,370 + gifts

So.... LET'S DO THIS! Help make a difference in the life of a child this holiday season! 

The Countdown is ON!

Can it really be ONLY 36 days till' Christmas?!?! 

We had a pretty good week in our Holiday Project Fundraising efforts... In the past week we have brought in $1,925... Which brings our total so far to $5700! That still leaves us with a little over $3,000 to raise in the next 5 weeks... but I'm pretty sure we can do it! 

In addition to raising the last bit of funds, I am in serious need of backpacks. If you can supply a backpack, or if your child's class would like to do a backpack drive, let me know! I would really like to be able to deliver the one thing Kidane Mihret has asked me for. I would also like to supply each of our sponsorship kids with a new backpack.

Looking for a gift idea????

For that person on your list that has 'everything', I still have 10 2014 wall calendars available...

For a $50 donation, I would be happy to send one out to your loved one with a card saying that a donation has been made in their honor to make the holidays brighter for orphans in Ethiopia... Contact me with mailing info, and to check on availability.

For a $35 donation, I can mail a card saying that a donation has been made in your loved ones honor to make the holidays brighter for orphans in Ethiopia... Contact me with mailing info.

You can check out the breakdown below...

*****
*Kidane Mihret
100 Backpacks
3 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($60 each = $180)

HAVE $180!!!
NEED 100 backpacks

*Sele Enat
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)
$100 for party (foods/sodas/supplies)

HAVE $200!!!
NEED Gifts for children

*BMI
Clothes and gifts for the children ($100)

HAVE $100
NEED $0

*Kids Care
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)

HAVE $120!!!
NEED Gifts for Children

*Sponsorship Program
Dinner and Party for Sponsorship Students $300
Backpacks for all students (X 15)
Family bonuses to benefit whole family for food/clothing/rent, etc.
$50 each family (not including boarding school girls =$200)

HAVE $500!!!!!
NEED 15 backpacks

Boarding school girls- gifts of clothing (underwear, shoes, etc.)

*Small Business GRANT
$3,000 to help a deserving individual start up their own small business to help themselves and their families towards a better life!

HAVE $800
NEED $2,200

*Boarding School Tuition $5,000

HAVE $3,780
NEED $1,220
********

Total Needed (not including gifts): $9,120
What we have: $5,700

STILL NEEDED : $3,420 + gifts

So.... LET'S DO THIS! Help make a difference in the life of a child this holiday season!

If you would like to make a contribution towards our goal, you can donate securely online by clicking the DONATE NOW link in the right sidebar.


Or by sending a check/money order directly to me at this address:

Mandie Doak
1430 Julie Drive
Wamego, Kansas 66547

Checks can be made payable to me, or if you would like to receive a tax receipt, you can make them out to FSBCJC. (receipts will come to you in January!)


Thanks so much for your continued support!

6 Week Update!

Okay, friends... This is where we are with the Holiday Project. With just 6, Yes, SIX, short weeks till' Christmas, and still a little over $5,000 to raise to make this years Holiday Project a success, we need to kick our fundraising efforts into high gear! We have raised just $775 of our $6,000 goal. And this goal is of course if we receive the gift items we need, donated. I'm looking forward to another great project in Ethiopia this year... but I really can't do it without all of you. All donations are welcome... no donation too small.

If you have a child adopted from Ethiopia or are sponsoring a child in Ethiopia, please consider making a donation in their honor. If you have a child currently waiting at one of our orphanages please make a donation to cover your child's holiday. Please join me in stepping up for these kids, showing them the love they deserve, and need.

I still have 10 2014 wall calendars available if you have someone on your Holiday shopping list that is HARD to buy for...

For a $50 donation, I would be happy to send one out to your loved one with a card saying that a donation has been made in their honor to make the holidays brighter for orphans in Ethiopia... Contact me with mailing info, and to check on availability.

For a $35 donation, I can mail a card saying that a donation has been made in your loved ones honor to make the holidays brighter for orphans in Ethiopia... Contact me with mailing info.

These are the updated totals...
Here is my plan for this years festivities... Of course, the more WE can raise, the more WE can do!

I'm still need 'A Few Good Men or WOMEN!' to step up and help with back pack drives, and toy drives, so that I don't have to raise any cash funds for that part of the project! If you are willing to help with one of these areas, message me!

*****
*Kidane Mihret
100 Backpacks
3 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($60 each = $180)

HAVE $180!!!
NEED 100 backpacks

*Sele Enat
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)
$100 for party (foods/sodas/supplies)

HAVE $170
NEED Gifts for children and $50

*BMI
Clothes and gifts for the children ($100)

HAVE $100
NEED $0

*Kids Care
Gifts for Children
2 Sheep for Christmas Dinner ($120)

HAVE $120!!!
NEED Gifts for Children

*Sponsorship Program
Dinner and Party for Sponsorship Students $300
Backpacks for all students (X 15)
Family bonuses to benefit whole family for food/clothing/rent, etc.
$50 each family (not including boarding school girls =$200)

HAVE $0
NEED $500 and 15 backpacks

Boarding school girls- gifts of clothing (underwear, shoes, etc.)

*Small Business GRANT
$3,000 to help a deserving individual start up their own small business to help themselves and their families towards a better life!

HAVE $0
NEED $3,000

*Boarding School Tuition $5,000

HAVE $3,205
NEED $1,795
********

Total Needed (not including gifts): $9,120
What we have: $3,775

STILL NEEDED : $5,345 + gifts

So.... LET'S DO THIS! Help make a difference in the life of a child this holiday season!

If you would like to make a contribution towards our goal, you can donate securely online by clicking the link below and DONATE NOW.
www.apieceofafricaholidayproject.blogspot.com

Or by sending a check/money order directly to me at this address:

Mandie Doak
1430 Julie Drive
Wamego, Kansas 66547

Checks can be made payable to me, or if you would like to receive a tax receipt, you can make them out to FSBCJC. (receipts will come to you in January!)