Buckner – September 2012
What a joy and blessing it is to volunteer at Buckner International. (Please visit this site to learn more about Buckner, their programs, and how you can help.)
Some of us felt so good about working at the Buckner Humanitarian Aid Center a month or so ago that a small but dedicated group from the Living Stones and Albers Men’s class decided to return.
Get this! – We feel that what we do at the Buckner Humanitarian Aid Center is very worthwhile, so we are planning to organize a group to come and volunteer once a month. Buckner International has been giving hope to orphans, vulnerable children, and families for over 137 years. How exciting it is to participate in their mission of helping over 600,000 people each year.
Today we began by sorting through Buckner backpacks to make sure they were filled correctly. I believe a church in Houston had donated these. Children in an orphanage in Peru will receive these backpack this Christmas. Basically they were filled with new school supplies.
These backpacks are going to another orphanage. They were for boys and were filled with clothes and a watch. Good stuff! I know the boys will be excited to receive these backpacks.
We did work! This was the stack of backpacks that we sorted and packed today. Aren’t you impressed! We were. Alex (the volunteer coordinator) encouraged us to take a break after filling these boxes. Little did we know that he wanted us to rest, because – there was more work to be done.
This is our gang- Janet and Robert, Ann and Bob, Judy, Ever-Lovin’ and myself – and what a team of master packers we were. Boxes in this stack are filled with shoes. In many countries shoes = education. You can’t go to school unless you wear shoes. Shoes also protect the children from diseases. Who can comprehend the hope a single pair of shoes can give?
Shoes for Orphaned Souls. This was just one bin. Alex tells me that a great need is for athletic shoes sizes 1 – 7. If you visit the website, you can find out how to donate. They are also in need of infant and toddler clothing (newborn to about size 3 or 4). The infant and toddler clothing can be gently used.
As I was looking on the Buckner website I noticed an event happening next week on September 13, 2012 (7 am to midnight). It is called Get Up and Give (find out more). It is a program sponsered by DonorBridgeTx.org Every dollar given to Buckner on this day will receive matching funds. Stretch your giving by participating in this event.
I will let you know when we are going next month. Maybe you can join us.
Blessings to you and yours,