***Donations Wanted***

If any of you have been following our Ethiopian Adoption timeline, you have noticed that we are getting closer to getting a referral!!! We started at twenty-something on the wait list and we are now 9th...things are progressing through our agency rather quickly. The wait time has went smoothly...we were told weeks to months to a year...so we have been waiting for 5 months thus far for a referral of "Baby Ella" (we think that will be her name) and we believe we are getting close!! So, we are starting to make some plans for travelling to Ethiopia.

One of these plans is to take a slew of donations to the areas' orphanages. We have asked our agency for a list of recommended items to bring in order to help the children the most. The most needed item for the youngest, most vulnerable kiddos is formula. The brand that is used in most orphanages is called Similac NeoSure. There is a formula shortage in Ethiopia, thus by us bringing this we could make a huge nutritional impact on these children. Additionally, in order to care for the children in the areas' orphanages they could use disposable diapers, medicines, lotions, new clothing & shoes. Basically anything that is practical for the care of infants and children. Could you...would you...do you want to donate any of these items to the orphanages in Ethiopia? Would you prefer to give a monetary donation (due to additional shipping costs) in order to go toward any of these items specifically? I will be sure to purchase whatever you would like to see be delivered to the children of Ethiopia...or I will donate the monies to the orphanage directly.

The other thing that we would like to collect for donations are FUN items for the older kiddos of the orphanages. Things that bring a light to their lives and to their day!!! We'd like to create goodie bags for as many children as we can...like those little bags kids get at birthday parties with a few pieces of candy, some little toys, stickers, etc. So, if you have any interest in making a purchase from Oriental Trading Company or have another source...AWESOME! Or if you would like to donate a sheet of stickers...we'll take it!!! If you have leftover bags from a birthday party last year...we'll take them!!!!!! If you have some wrapped candy for the kids, send it my way! If you'd like to give a monetary donation for this project, please let me know and I will be sure to designate your monies toward this end of the donation collection.

Call Me!!! Mail It!!!! Email Me!!!!!!

Thank you for your material donations, your monetary donations, as well as your prayers for all of the children who are in need of forever families...not only in Ethiopia! Please feel free to contact me via email if you need our home address in order to drop off any donations or to mail anything. If you are in the mid-Michigan area, I'm also more than willing to arrange to pick items up from you! My email is jklandl@comcast.net.

We are thrilled to be able to add to our family, but we know that when we travel to Ethiopia we will want to bring ALL of the children home. Giving a little something to them to bring a smile to their faces and a a bit of joy to their day just may make it better for us all! We will surely bring you all pictures of joy and pure happiness that you just may help to bring to the children!