Calling All Generous People

  

Lily in DC waiting for the flight to Addis Ababa with our bags of goodies in 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, the Prager family is leaving on December 8^th for Ethiopia to meet "K," our (soon-to-be) four-year old son. When we adopted Semira in 2008, we managed to deliver four suitcases full of supplies for the care center that Semira was living at in Addis Ababa. Many of these supplies came to us from our very generous family and friends!  I can’t tell you how grateful the staff was when they opened the bags.

We would very much like to do this again. Ethiopian adoptions have slowed down considerably in the last year, which has greatly decreased the amount of donations that the various orphanages are receiving. They are very much in need of basic stuff! 

Lufthansa allows each of us two free checked bags for the trip. Unfortunately, we will have to pay checked bag fees for the domestic part of our flight. (Thanks USAir!). Steve and I will pay these bag fees for any donations we collect. We are light packers so I think we can take at least 5 -50 lb bags of donations with us. We plan on distributing the donations to K’s orphanage in Addis Ababa and the care center for our adoption agency (which is different).

I am also looking for two suitcases/heavy duty duffel bags to use to transport things. A duffel bag allows me to pack it up on the way home to avoid baggage fees. With regard to suitcases, I am actually looking for an old suitcase that someone doesn't want returned. That way I can just leave it in Ethiopia.

I know there are so many good causes to donate to! I also realize we are entering the holiday season and money can be tight. So let me say in advance that I really appreciate all donations of any sort. These donations are better than any present you could give us! 

Below is a list of things I know are current needs. Generic is fine and gently used is good (especially for clothes, shoes, toys, etc.). This is a great opportunity to get rid of some kid things that your own children might have outgrown.

• Clothes, shoes, and underwear for children aged 5-10 (no infant clothing needed at this time)
• Sippy cups with lids
• Bottles and nipples
• Sheets for cribs & toddler beds
• Toys for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children (no stuffed animals; they are germ spreaders)
• Blocks for stacking
• Stacking cups
• Wooden puzzles
• Baby dolls
• Plastic feeding spoons for toddlers
• Baby powder
• Clotrimazole ointment
• Cloth diapers and diaper covers
• Diaper rash cream (over the counter)
• Disposable masks
• Flashlights with batteries
• Baby blankets
• Bottle/nipple brushes
• Thermometers
• Mosquito nets
• Travel packs of baby wipes (for the nannies to take with them when they travel with the babies)
• Anti-fungal creams (over the counter)
• Vitamins for infants/toddlers/older children
• Educational and instructional items – the staff is setting up classrooms to teach children at each care center.

If you have an item that you think might be appropriate but aren’t sure, please let me know. Also, if you are interested in helping out but aren’t sure what to get, I am happy to take care of the shopping for you. I did this last time and it worked rather well. I was able to purchase some larger items and fill in the gaps. I promise to be a good steward of your money! If you would like to contribute via PayPal, here is the easiest way:

Donations will be routed to our PayPal account and we will access the funds from there!

We appreciate the ongoing support that we have received from everyone. Please don't feel obligated if this isn't something you are interested in. We just wanted to let you know that we don’t personally need anything, but there is something else you can do to help.

Many thanks in advance!

Erika