A Request to Friends in San Antonio

To my dear friends living in San Antonio,

As I mentioned in a previous post, Libby and I will be boarding a plane early May 15 to visit Keemberlie and her orphanage. At HCRM (Haiti's Children Rescue Mission, the orphanage/agency) there are currently 115 orphans in the space built for 45. This is the plight of orphans in Haiti post-earthquake. The orphanages are overcrowded. Haiti has shut down the US humanitarian parole program. And now the orphans are stuck there until adoptive families decide to muddle through the long adoption process which has yet to be nailed down since the quake.

In light of the current situation, HCRM has many needs. Today I learned that HCRM has need for:
(side note: most of the kids at HCRM are about 6 and older, I think... lots of older kids).

bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes
school supplies (I'm guessing notebooks, pencils, etc)
shoes (tennis shoes, specifically)
socks
electronic toys that teach English words (can even be for toddlers)
bags (totes or inexpensive backpacks) for children to keep their personal items in...
            they have no cubbies/locker space... needs some bags to keep their own stuff separate.
underwear (boys and girls)


Also - more specifically, I am trying to put together care packages for 2 boys (Abed - age 9, Cleavert - age 7) on behalf of another family. I have 5 hotwheels cars for each of them, but I'd love to give them socks and tennis shoes (don't know their size...we'll have to guess) and another thing or two (have to think on that). If you'd like to help with that, let me know.

Lastly - I am putting together a special care package for Keemberlie's best friend, Francine. If that tugs at your heart and you want to donate items for that package, let me know.

If you have any questions you can email me at: info@billyfoote.com

I will not be able to come pick these items up from you. If you want to donate I need you to drop it off at my doorstep as my schedule is really full between now and the time I leave. I would also like to have all donations by next Saturday (May 8) so I can complete my packing ahead of time.

I have 2 large suitcases that I plan to fill with the donated items. If I need to pack a third I will. Hoping I can just use carry-on's for Libby and my personal items.

I was feeling overwhelmed by all the needs today and then I felt released to ask this of my friends/acquaintances here in San Antonio. If you can't, don't worry about it! We would covet your prayers, especially over Libby and Keemberlie.

Blessings,
Cindy