Last week I had a fundraiser for Ethiopia. You can read my original post here. It was a long and tiring week but SO worth it. My goal was to get as many people involved as possible. A dozen different families gave items to sell or loaned me card tables. Another couple, from my church, graciously offered me their 3 car garage and fabulous suburban location for the sale. Several of my neighbor kids help me sort donations, set up for the sale and worked at the sale. One in particular put in over 40 HOURS of his time. I am SO proud of him! In the end we raised $1400 that will help dig a well in Shanto, Ethiopia.
I visited Shanto, a village in the south, last January with a group of 27 other people from 6 states and 2 countries. It was an amazing trip that changed me forever! I am praying about returning with another team this next year.
The pictures below are from the last day of the sale. When the sale ended we hauled a van load of donations to the Salvation Army thrift store. All the remaining clothes, shoes and books were donated to a humanitarian and export business and loaded onto a container heading to Gambia, West Africa.
My oldest son helped on the last day of the sale!
My neighbor, Ariah Fine, wrote this great children's book called Clean Water for Elirose to help educate children on the global issue of clean drinking water. I had his book on display and sold several copies. To learn more about Clean Water for Elirose check out his website here. If you are interested in purchasing a book from me the proceeds with go to help dig a well in Shanto, Ethiopia. Leave me a message below or e-mail me.
This 16 year old put in a full 40 hours helping me with the sale.
I was thrilled to donate the remaining clothing, books and baby items to a family from Gambia. They ship a container over every 6 weeks. Part of the items go to the Red Cross and local schools. Other items are used in their families business in Gambia.
I hope to do more fundraisers in the future. I have lots of ideas :)
Well done!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. I am sad not to see you next week but look forward to your visit in July.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love garage sales! Wish I could've gone/helped but am traveling! Let me know if you do another in July! :)
ReplyDeleteChristy, I would LOVE to do more garage sales but I don't live in the best location. It makes me want to move to the suburbs and have a 3 car garage. I would just keep collection donations and having sales. It is an easy way that I can raise money.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You will see that your fundraiser is featured on the FOVC blog today! (www.fovc.org!)
ReplyDeletelove!
Lory