Unexpected Changes

As I stated previously, our family is preparing to move.  We've known about this change for a while, and were planning on moving in the summer of 2012 after school was out.  Around Thanksgiving we found out that my husband will be needed in our new area sooner than that, so our lives are a little crazier as the preparations for getting our house on the market need to happen now.

Because of these new developments, my project may not be brought to completion by January as I'd originally hoped.  But fear not!  I will see it through to completion before we move, even though it may end up happening on a similar timeline to last year.  (which was completed in March and delivered in April)

Still Collecting...

Many thanks to those who chose to donate to this year's project! 

My husband and I went through our game collection and sorted out 36 games we didn't play, because we are preparing to move.  They were all in great shape, and I had an idea to send an email offering them to my friends for free and asking if they'd also consider donating to my project if they thought the games were worth a few dollars.  All the games were gone within minutes, and I ended up with additional donations!

Because I did this, one of my children's teachers offered to share my project with the families of her students and ask for donations towards my project instead of holiday gifts.  Of course I accepted!  So I did a write up for her, and we'll see if more support comes in from that.  I'll list the grand total once that's over!

Humanitarian Birthday 2012!

Friends and Family,

Last year I began a tradition of doing a humanitarian project every year for my birthday, and ask for help with this project instead of gifts.  The support I received from everyone far surpassed my expectations, and it was a huge success!  To see the documentation of the project, please see earlier posts from January to April 2011.

By the time I collected the donations, placed the orders for the supplies and had the assembly party, it was March!  This year I wanted to start the process earlier, in hopes of assembling/delivering the kits sometime in January - closer to my actual birthday.  :)

Once again, this year I am choosing to assemble LDS Humanitarian Hygiene Kits.  My goal will be to assemble 35 kits, since I will be turning 35.  I know that you all perform services and kindnesses, and have charities that you choose to contribute to – and I am happy for that!  If you choose to join me in supporting this cause as well , thank you!  I appreciated everyone’s support last year, but please know that I don’t hold any kind of expectation for those who contributed once to continue to do so year after year.  Please email me back if you would like to participate, and let me know how you would like to contribute.   For anyone who wishes to help, money would probably go the farthest, because as I looked online at the costs of the items, I found I’ll get the best price if I purchase everything in bulk.  Every dollar makes a difference!  I will document this year’s project on the blog as well, so you can follow it to watch the progress.

I will accept money and item donations until November 22^nd – then I will buy the supplies I need after that.  (maybe I can get some good Black Friday deals!)

You may email me at hhmiracles@gmail.com if you would like to make a donation.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

Some friends from church called to tell me they were going up to the Bishops Storehouse and would be willing to drive the kits up and drop them off!  (Thank you L. and V.!)  They came over last night and we loaded the HEAVY boxes into their van.  My husband had a foot injury and my friend had a back injury, so it was up to me, my friend's daughter, and my oldest son to load them up.  (My oldest daughter helped by manning the camera.)  Now the kits will be distributed to those who need them from there.  Once a month a truck from Salt Lake City, UT brings supplies to the Bishops Storehouse, and then they take whatever donations have come in and drive them back to Salt Lake City to be distributed from there to wherever they're needed around the world.  This project has brought so much JOY and fulfillment to my life, and I am excited to continue this tradition. 

If this idea inspires any of you, and you'd like to use it in any way - DO IT!  And please make sure to ask me to contribute to your cause.  :)  Here is a photo slideshow of us loading up the kits. (if you do not see the slideshow in the space below, see sidebar at the top of the page for instructions on how to view it)

Deepest Thanks

As I stated below, we were able to assemble 213 hygiene kits!  Thank you to all those who donated money, supplies, and time.  This was accomplished because people wanted to help, and put their trust in me to organize this effort.  Because the total amount of money donated was so large, (and because my husband put in much time and effort to find places to make the purchases online and figure out the ideal balance in supplies!) we were able to purchase items in bulk for a great price.  This made each dollar go further than it otherwise would have.  Thank you for your faith and trust - every penny made a difference!

It is my goal to do this every year for my birthday, and I hope that others will be as excited as I am about it in the future!

United

One thing I forgot to mention when talking about our kit assembly, is that when we were finished assembling the kits and counting them, we prayed together.  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I had friends there who shared my faith, and I also had friends there of different faiths.  As we prayed, expressing gratitude for the opportunity we had to serve and asking that the kits fulfill their purpose to support those who receive them, I felt such a sweet spirit of peace.  There were people of many different faiths who contributed to this project, and I have loved knowing that our beliefs, whatever they may be specifically, have united us in serving our fellow human beings - an amazing FORCE FOR GOOD.

213 Miracles!

There are supposed to be 3 picture slideshows in this post.  If you don't see them, please click on your screen's "refresh" button, and that should fix the problem.

The hygiene kits were assembled on March 20th, 23rd, and 24th!  Our family assembled many kits together for Family Home Evening on Sunday, March 20th.  I was surprised that my 3 oldest (ages 11, 8, and 6) could do this on their own without a problem.  It's a lot to fit into a one-gallon bag.  My husband came up with a great way to pack everything into the bag by making pockets with the towels so that hopefully the bag would not get punctured with the corners of the toothpaste tubes or anything else.  We had enough supplies that we were able to sneak an extra toothbrush and comb into each kit!  (if you do not see the slideshow in the space below, see sidebar at the top of the page for instructions on how to view it)

On Wednesday, March 23rd, several friends came over to help me assemble the rest.  Amongst themselves, they organized a birthday celebration for me as well - complete with banners, a delicious cake, and other wonderful food!  Thank you friends!  (if you do not see the slideshow in the space below, see sidebar at the top of the page for instructions on how to view it)

After we used up all the towels, we had 14 kits where we only needed toothpaste and towels.  I couldn't just leave them, so I went to the store the next day (March 24th) to get what was needed to complete them.  My kids helped to assemble the remaining kits, and our grand total ended up being 213 KITS!!!    This is actually more than I had calculated, so instead of trying to figure it out, I'm going with a "loaves and fishes" effect.  ;)    This far surpassed my goal of 34 kits - I'm so thrilled!  (if you do not see the slideshow in the space below, see sidebar at the top of the page for instructions on how to view it)

All I had left were a few combs and some toothbrushes.  I was able to donate some of my leftover toothbrushes to another hygiene kit project being done by someone else I know, and they completed 36 kits!  I will save the rest of the supplies for next year's project.  Now we are trying to find someone who is going to the Bishops' Storehouse in Worcester, MA soon, so that they can get into the hands of those who need them ASAP.  If no one else can bring them up, my husband will be going up that way in the beginning of May.

These hygiene kits will end up being precious treasures to 213 people/families somewhere in this world.  THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this project.  You have made a difference to someone in need.

Organizing Supplies

My 8 year old son wanted to help organize the supplies so that they would be easily accessed for assembly.  He started by taking all of the toothpaste tubes out of their boxes.  (His 4 year old brother wished to follow his example, and helped him with this task.)  Then he helped me bring up a table from the basement to set everything on.  He emptied all the bars of soap out of their bulk packaging and placed the bars neatly in a large box.  While he did this, I organized the rest of the things and put them in a spot at the table and printed signs so that it would be clear what needed to be included in each kit.  Thank you, son!  (if you do not see the slideshow in the space below, see sidebar at the top of the page for instructions on how to view it)

Washing 348 Towels

When I spoke to the woman from the towel company and explained what they were for, she advised me that the towels would all need to be washed.  The towels are vacuum packed so that they can be compact for shipping, and they are not fully absorbent until they are washed and dried.  Since our kits will be going to people who are unlikely to be able to wash and dry the towels properly, this became an additional step to take to prepare the kits. 

So I sent out an email and the towels were divided among 5 of my friends.  They each washed, dried, and FOLDED these towels BEAUTIFULLY and with care, and returned them to me.  As I thanked one of my friends for how nice the towels looked when she returned them to me she said, "As I was folding the towels I thought - this really is a true act of service because I HATE FOLDING LAUNDRY!"  She said it with a twinkle in her eye, and a beautiful laugh and smile that made me want to cry with gratitude.  Thank you to J.&W., B.&T., E.&C., K., and A. for how quickly and willingly you accepted the task of preparing these towels to bless those who will receive them!

The Miracle of the Towels

Last time I posted I was waiting for my shipment of towels.  They were back ordered and I was told by the company that they would probably be shipped to me the first week in March.  I still hadn't received a shipping email by then, so I called them again.  The woman I spoke to said that she had been working there for 6 years and she had never seen a problem like this where they just weren't getting the towels from their suppliers.  The reason was because these suppliers were having trouble buying the cotton so that they could make the towels.  Since the summer the price of cotton has doubled.  There was "flooding in Pakistan and bad weather in China and India" that depleted cotton crops.  You can read an article from the NY Times about it HERE . 

She said they still didn't have the towels I ordered and I explained how I needed them for this project.  Then she asked if they had to be white, and I told her that it didn't matter what color they were.  She said she'd call me back.  A few minutes later she called back saying they could send all the towels I needed in a vanilla color, and for the same price we paid for the white towels.  (The only reason we ordered white was because they cost less than the others.)  They shipped them on Friday and they were at my house on Tuesday!  We paid $7.88 for a dozen towels (when we purchased them in the first week of February), and they are now $18 for a dozen.  Because of the generosity of those who donated, we were able to order the towels in bulk for an incredible price, and I now have 29 dozen towels in my possession that will help to complete these kits!

I see this as a miracle that God brought to pass so that these kits can get to those who need them - especially with the devastating earthquake that just happened in Japan.

Receiving Kit Supplies

My wonderful husband set up a spreadsheet and figured out how to maximize the raised humanitarian kit funds to make as many kits as possible.  We searched around on the internet and used sites that had the best deals we could find.  I have placed all the orders and am now just awaiting the deliveries.  I have all the soap, all the ziplock bags, and some of the combs.  I should receive the toothpaste, toothbrushes, and the rest of the combs this week.  I was disappointed to find that our towels were back ordered.  :(  But they were the best deal for some pretty nice towels, so we will wait for them.  They said I should have them by the end of February.  This is why I haven't scheduled the assembly date yet!

Come soon towels!!

Deadline for Donations

Yesterday was the deadline for all donations for my project to be given to me, or promised.  The support I have received has been OVERWHELMING!!  Thank you to everyone who has given so generously.  In total, all the contributions that were made resulted in the collection of $778.78, 24 completed kits, plus some supplies!  I shed many tears as I opened envelopes and saw the amounts of money that people were entrusting to me.  They have faith that I will use this money for the hygiene kits, and I want them to know that not one penny will be used for any other purpose.  I promise - and my word is good.  God Bless you all!

With such a "great" result from what began with one "simple" email I sent to friends and family, I must include this scripture (again) in this post: Alma chapter 37 verse 6 – “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”

All the checks and cash that were donated

14 More Kits!

When I sent the word out about my project, a few people from church told me that a humanitarian kit drive had been started a few months ago, but never finished, and that all the supplies were still sitting in boxes at the church!  So tonight the 12 and 13 year-old girls helped me go through the supplies, sort what met the requirements, and assemble kits from the remaining supplies.  They assembled 14 complete kits and 12 partial kits that just need the towels and some toothbrushes!  Leftover from that were 82 bars of soap, 20 tubes of toothpaste, a bunch of combs, and many ziplock bags that I will use towards my project.  The supplies that did not meet the requirements were donated to another charity.
Thank you to the girls and their leader for helping to go through the supplies, assemble the kits, and for helping me get the SUPER HEAVY box to my car!!! (and shoving it in my front seat with the bottom of the box falling apart!)



Assembling the Kits









Counting the Kits





14 complete Kits

 

Leftover supplies and incomplete kits

The First Kits!

On January 19th, some friends of mine who live in Georgia (J. and G.) arranged for their church youth group to assemble 10 hygiene kits in honor of my project!  Here is the picture they emailed.  Thank you all!!

Do Something Real

My 11-year old daughter received a book for Christmas called "why?"  She LOVES this book, and after she'd been reading it for a few days we visited the website for it.  Among other things there were little videos you could watch, including this one.  We all (my 5 children and me) watched it, and it brought tears to our eyes.  Then my 8-year old son said, "Mom - I am SO GLAD we are doing the hygiene kits!  That's real."  I was glad too.

It Matters To This One

I first heard “A Single Starfish” sometime when I was in high school, and it often comes to my mind when my ideals of helping others are challenged by the taunting of the world  - “How can your small contribution make a difference when so many are in need?”

A Single Starfish
By Loren Eiseley

One day an old man was walking along the beach. It was low tide, and the sand was littered with thousands of stranded starfish that the water had carried in and then left behind. The man began walking very carefully so as not to step on any of the beautiful creatures. Since the animals still seemed to be alive, he considered picking some of them up and putting them back in the water, where they could resume their lives.
The man knew the starfish would die if left on the beach's dry sand but he reasoned that he could not possibly help them all, so he chose to do nothing and continued walking.
Soon afterward, the man came upon a small child on the beach who was frantically throwing one starfish after another back into the sea. The old man stopped and asked the child, "What are you doing?"
"I'm saving the starfish," the child replied.
"Why waste your time?... There are so many you can't save them all - so what does it matter?" argued the man.
Without hesitation, the child picked up another starfish and tossed the starfish back into the water... "It matters to this one," the child explained.

I believe it matters too.

Hygiene Kit Instructions

For anyone who wishes to help, money would probably go the farthest, because as I looked online at the costs of the items, I found I’ll get the best price if I purchase everything in bulk.  Even just $1 would make a difference– if 20 people did that, I’d be able to purchase about 40 bars of soap with the money.  I will accept money and donations until January 31^st – then I will buy the supplies I need and assemble them in the next couple of weeks after that.

I will list what each hygiene kit includes and you may also donate any of the included items (must follow exact specifications) if that is what you would rather do:
In a sturdy gallon zip lock bag:

2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles that may poke through the bag)

4 toothbrushes (packaged – can be packaged together or separately, but all need to be in sealed packages)

1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps)

2 bars of soap (approximately 4 to 5 oz.)

2 hand towels (new towels, approximately 15" by 25". Please do not use dish towels or washcloths. To sew towels, serge or zigzag the edges of terry cloth to make a 15" by 25" towel.)

Mariama Kallon youtube video

Here is a youtube of Mariama Kallon talking about how much the hygiene kits mean:

Humanitarian Hygiene Kits!

I had an experience this past year that allowed me to hear about the difference one “hygiene kit” has made in countless people’s lives – through a ripple effect.  Specifically, I heard Mariama Kallon speak about how she received a hygiene kit in Sierra Leone Africa, and how she carried it around with her as she moved to different relatives’ homes, and then how she shared it’s supplies with a group of women she didn’t even know as they bathed in a river after they’d all been raped by rebel soldiers during civil unrest in the late 90’s.  She later joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and soon after desired to be a missionary – and ended up serving at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT.  It was there she learned where her hygiene kit had come from.  She was invited to stay with a family in Utah after her mission, and last year she traveled around the U.S. speaking to groups of women about her experience and telling how much the kits mean to the people who receive them.  She still has what is left of her kit and I saw it with my own eyes – a torn zip lock bag with a worn hand towel and a shampoo bottle.  (There is now a  DVD available about her experience - I received it for Christmas, and it touches my heart whenever I watch it.)  Here is a picture of me with Mariama. 

We all brought items to this conference (called Time Out For Women ) and assembled kits to donate to a local battered women and children’s shelter.

I was so moved when I heard her story, that I decided that every year for my birthday I will assemble humanitarian kits/supplies to donate to my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for distribution around the world.  When these kits are distributed, it is done without regard to religion, race, etc – simply given to those in need. 

When I was thinking about what my goal should be, I decided that I will have a goal to assemble the number of kits to match my age.  So this year as I celebrate my 34^th birthday, my goal will be to assemble 34 hygiene kits.  (and I hope to even surpass this goal!)

I am asking for help with this project instead of any gifts.

Make a Difference

I've created this blog to share a project that I’m undertaking to celebrate my birthday.  What better way to show God that I am grateful for my life than by helping others?   J  I would like to ask everyone to please take some time this week to do something good and do it on purpose.  I know that you all perform services and kindnesses, and have charities that you choose to contribute to – and I am happy for that!  I will post pictures and document how this year's project went.  I’m so excited!