News and Announcements
Good Samaritan Orphanage News
Dear Family and Friends,
August 2011 marked our most recent trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The boys and I traveled down to visit family and the children at the orphanage.
It is always a joy to walk into a home and be greeted with unconditional smiles and hugs, many, many hugs. The children in the home are not shy about giving and wanting attention. The girls ask to have their hair brushed into a pony tail, others want to be taken out to the mango tree and to search for one to eat. Those who don't ask are content to simply follow us through the home. Their gazes fixed on us and happy to receive a smile or caress to the cheek. I walk out elated and torn, always wanting to give more.
Photo - In Physical Therapy room with Lidia, Maria Jose, Mitch and my niece Valeria.
The industrial washer and dryer many of you helped purchase have arrived and are operational after a year of raising $11,000 to buy them and arrange for shipping. What these tools mean is more free time for the nuns to devote to the children as well as dry clothes during the rainy months when their immune systems are low. Thank you to all who generously gave money for the washer and dryer.
Our board at "Friends of Good Samaritan" has had the pleasure of collaborating with a group of Honduran women who share our passion for helping the children. They are diligent in ensuring shipments are cleared through customs, buying special supplies or finding a doctor or specialist when needed. One is a physical therapist with years of experience who is building up supplies for the physical therapy room which is key for all these boys and girls who cannot use their muscles.
Photo - Reina and Jenifer wearing "Solmate Socks". Donations from Solmate Socks, Strafford, VT
Funding for the coming year will be used for:
* a hospital stretcher for moving kids from beds to shower. Currently the nuns risk back injury from lifting the children.
* shower chairs to support disabled children while showering.
* the building addition.
The construction of the building addition is an ongoing capital project. It will house 30 additional children beyond the current 70 as well as 25 elderly homeless women. To date $550,000 of the initial $700,000 project cost has been raised. A gap of $100,000 was filled this year through a combination of your donations and Honduran efforts. Many thanks! The completion of the project is coming into sight with the remaining money going toward windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, and furnishings. Sister Carmen sees each brick that goes up as a victory and is grateful for the advances.
Photo - Construction, view of new kitchen in addition
The orphanage continues to teach me every day I am there. Every reflection brings me to a new realization about faith, acceptance, losses and victories. We continue to reach out on their behalf for support. Any amount you contribute will help.
Please make a donation today at http://www.friendsofgoodsamaritan.org/donate 100% of your donation goes directly to the orphanage. The non-profit consists of a small group of volunteers who rotate travel to San Pedro Sula (at their own expense) delivering a check to sister Carmen while catching up on changes and volunteering with the children.
You can donate via credit card at our paypal account found at:
http://www.friendsofgoodsamaritan.org/donate
Or mail a check to:
Friends of the Good Samaritan Orphanage, Inc.
13 Lombardy Drive
Wilmington, DE 19803
Thank you for your support.
Fondly,
Gayle
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Update! Construction of the addition
The orphanage "Hermanas de Jesus Buen Samaritano" continues on its quest to fund the capital expense of an addition valued at $700,000.
The orphanage, adopts children into the home 'for life'. The impact of adoption 'for life' implies that children adopted in 1989, when the home was founded, are now adults. The home recognizes the need to separate quarters for older and younger as well as men and women. This has led to the construction of an addition to the existing building which allows for residents to share sleeping quarters with peers of the same age and gender. Space will also be made available for 30 additional children and 25 homeless elderly women.
The addition was started in 2008, the budgeted cost was $700,000, to date the building is close to 80% completed with $550,000 in donations. It is becoming increasingly difficult, however, for the home to raise the additional $150,000 required to complete the addition. The Honduran economy is experiencing set backs and donations are harder to acquire. Our 501c3 organization "Friends of Good Samaritan"in the USA is diligently working to raise funds to complete the addition which will enhance the quality of life for the existing residents as well as add space for new members.
Any donations you offer will be well used and greatly appreciated.
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9/2011 update and a thank you to the family of Ronald Durkan
Good Morning,
For those of you who would like to join us o facebook the link to join us is
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/191097589317/ I recently posted some pictures on that page. If you scroll down a bit on this fb page you will find about 25 pictures posted.
We also have a cause page on facebook. This allows us to put a donate button on facebook, as well as allows us to enter contests with other non profits to raise funds for our non profit. The link to that is http://apps.facebook.com/causes/412518/89100485?m=9e4cc0c7&ref=nf
We invite you to join on both of these sites. Sometimes word of mouth, or friends of friends, branches us off in a direction of someone wanting to help. So if you have a second please join us and invite your network of friends/family to do the same simply by reposting to your page or inviting friends to join.
Right now we are in the process of building a dormitory and we just shipped an industrial washer and dryer down to San Pedro Sula, thanks to the dedication of our President Mary Ann Wozniak.
We are in need of small and medium sized shunts, many of the children have Hydrocephalus also known as "water in the brain," it is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If you know anyone that may be able to help us, send them our way!
Most recently we are receiving donations from the family of Ronald Durkan. The family chose to help this foundation to send donation monies to FOGS in lieu of flowers. Thank you Maria, Jennifer, and Ronald Durkan for their love, support, and donations throughout the years.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Please help us spread the word to get these children in this orphange the proper medical care, clothing, medical equipment, food, physical therapy, etc. If you can't help us financially the help of reposting or inviting friends to join us is AMAZING help. We have found so many contacts that way, so don't think that doesn't help us, it does!
Once again, thank you! Jacquie,
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President
I just returned from Honduras. Part of my trip was to work at Cure International , helping with Orthopedic Surgeries for children. The other part of my trip was to visit the Orphanage! B Long and I went there with a friend on Friday afternoon where we were greeted with open arms! We met a group of women and men that volunteer on a regular basis as well as their children! They were so happy to know that we Americans care enough to provide financial help so that the nuns, with the help of volunteers can continue their work with these Special Needs Children.
We were able to bring a check for $19,000, and the Industrial washer and dryer will get there as soon as customs clears. The local volunteers have made us new brochures in English , and made a CD that we can use for fund raising efforts. Together we hope to make a difference for these children !
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March , 2011
We are about to ship the Industrial Washer and Dryer to the Orphanage ! We have been working very hard to raise the money to cover this expense as well as have money to give to Sr Carmen when B Long and I go to Honduras on March 25.I am happy to say that we should be able to take about $18000 with us, for the Orphanage. Some of this Money will be used for Physical Therapy for the children, some for equipment to aid the nuns that care for the children, and some for the new building under construction.
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Century 21 Charles Smith Agency, Sayreville and Edison NJ
Many thanks to the team of Century 21 Charles Smith Agency for holding a fundraiser at their company's Holiday Party last evening. The team of real estate associates and their brokers raised $1000.00. 100% of the money raised will go directly to the kids and their needs. Thank you very much Century 21 Charles Smith Agency. Also a special thank you to Maryann Bonis from the Sayreville office; she made a personal donation of $250.00.
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West Goshen Goddard School
Many thanks to West Goshen Goddard School for another fundraiser in October of this year. They partnered with Barnes and Noble and had a book drive for the kids. We received a few boxes of Spanish speaking children's books to give out next time we go down there. Many thanks West Goshen Goddard School!!!!
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Anna Kate Mackle runs marathon for orphanage
http://www.firstgiving.com/annakatemackle
This will be my fourth marathon - previously I have run the NY, San Francisco and Gasparilla Tampa Bay marathons - but it will be the most meaningful for me because it is the first time I am raising money for a charity.
Many thanks for your support -- and please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Anna Kate Mackle originally from Westfield NJ
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Richmond Middle School's help
After fundraising till 7:30 pm on Wednesday June 2nd, Tatiana and her School, Richmond MIddle School had raised $500 for the orphanage. At an open house dinner which served an Honduran cuisine for students and parents. To eat the food people gave donation. Many were very generous, so at the end of the night Tatiana and her school raised $500.
The same week the school held a talent show. By the end of night the school was very generous by donating around $500 so then final total of money that went orphanage was almost $1000!
Thanks Richmond Middle School for all the Help
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Middle Schoolers know ‘no boundaries’
When it comes to determination in activating a plan, Tatiana knows no limits… it started with curiosity, then an interest in the children at the orphanage. “What do they need?” “How can we help?” she asked… It was a matter of days for her to alight on the idea of seeking help from her school and friends. She enlisted her guidance counselor then prepared presentations to her student council and within a week she had results!
The principal and student council approved an “Open House” dinner fund raiser for “Hogar de ninos Buen Samaritano”.
Plans were underway and with the guidance of her counselor and home economics teacher, seventh and eight grade students put together a menu consisting or authentic Honduran cuisine. Baleadas, Honduran “on the go” menu consisting of flour tortillas, re-friend beans, cheese, cream, avocado, eggs and sausage were assembled, pictures and slides of Honduras and the orphanage were featured in a family style buffet. Donations were collected and $507 dollars raised for the orphanage.
The power of children is compelling, their capacity for compassion and giving without self inflicted boundaries is refreshing and inspires us to overlook our own inhibitions.
Thank you to the students, staff and families at the Richmond Middle School in Hanover, NH for your energetic support!
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