Christmas Shopping in September!

Every year we have given something very special at Christmas for the children at Hope Children’s Home as well as Alpha Omega School!  We usually provide a wonderful meal for them as well as a gift from sponsors and supporters.  This year, we are starting a little early and wanted to give you an opportunity to get involved.

We want to provide every child in our program with a quality backpack filled with school supplies.  For some of us that may not sound like a very exciting Christmas present, but for the children in Uganda, this gift is going to be so special.

While in Uganda in July, I remember a day when we were in the village and we were on our way back from distributing mattresses, soaps and lotions.  As we were walking, one of our team members gave one of the Hope girls the empty plastic bag that had been holding the soaps.  The young girl was so excited to have that plastic bag.  One of the other young girls then asked if she could also have a plastic bag.  The team members were in awe, because of the enthusiasm these girls showed over receiving a plastic bag.  For us it is a part of normal everyday life to have what we need to carry our day to day items.  It seems everyone has many purses, backpacks, extra beach bags, suitcases, briefcases, etc.  Very few of the children in Uganda have a personal bag to carry their belongings.  We want to surprise them with this gift!

Our goal is to collect 300 quality brand new or gently used backpacks.  At this time, someone has already collected over 100 backpacks, so only 200 to go!  We will also fill the backpacks with school supplies. This is a great time to get these items, since most stores are marking down prices.  If you don’t have time to get out and pick up these items or you live too far and shipping will be an issue, please consider donating towards these special gifts.

Here is how you can get involved:

·   Drop your backpacks and/ or school supplies off at our office at 633 Waverly Place SE, Albany, Oregon Monday-Thursday between 9:30am-4:00pm. (We are looking for  supplies that are not heavy, such as pencils, colored pencils, rulers, protractors, erasers, pens.)

·   Mail your backpacks to 35194 Cortez Place SE, Albany, Oregon 97322

·   Donate towards this Christmas project by CLICKING HERE or mail a check to PO Box 607, Albany, Oregon 97321. All donations are tax decutible.

 

We want to complete this Christmas project by November 1^st. 

Thanks in advance for continuing to answer the cry of injustice!

Lori Salley
Show Mercy International
www.showmercy.org
541-791-3566