Warm Shelter donations

You may recall last July we held an online auction on Facebook to raise funds for the Warm Shelter baby house in Pskov.  This baby house had lost it's biggest donor which was from Germany, and they were in danger of closing.  The people running this baby house are good people; a friend of mine knows first-hand having brought home a precious girl from this very orphanage.

A little back story to catch everyone up:  soon after Mike and I came home with Lina last April, our super sweet facilitator whom is one of the most selfless people I have ever met... came to me asking if we would agree to use part of our in country donation to help the Warm Shelter baby house.  We of course agreed quickly, and then my friend Laura and I put our heads together to raise more funds through the auction.  We found out through Marina, our facilitator, that we could transfer funds directly to them in Pskov through an organization here for Russian Americans. Our auction was a HUGE success and we brought in over $1,500!!  To make sure we could indeed transfer the money successfully, we sent a small amount first, $200, and it did go through very smoothly and incredibly fast!  You can read more about those purchases HERE.  We then needed to transfer the remaining $1,300.

Our contact with the Russian American group went silent and Laura had great difficulty regaining communication with him.  We believe with the new law passed with the ban on US adoptions- this organization for Russian Americans lost their ability to connect in Russia.  Thankfully, another friend was traveling back to Pskov for her third and final trip to bring her daughter home!  She had brought donations to Warm Shelter on her previous trips and was happy to deliver the remaining funds to Marina for us.  Whew!! The money made it to Marina's hands in early January; Marina then contacted the director/doctor at Warm Shelter to find out what was on their list of most needed items so she could get shopping.  Marina is so diligent, looking for the best prices to be sure she can stretch the money as far as it can go.  She is so dedicated to helping these children!

From Marina:

Everything was remarkable in the Warm Shelter today!  Here are the things which I could buy on your donations:
1 . It is a lot of good medicines - very necessary, especially for improvement of work of a brain (all of it is expensive and it is insufficiently always). [The doctor/director] is very happy.

2 . Tables and chairs. (on a photo [the director] sits on them). Their old furniture all is loosened already, legs at tables and chairs break constantly ( stuck from wooden details). I found very convenient option, with metal legs and wooden seats. Now we bring only part of furniture, the rest will bring in some weeks when will do our order from factory. While there, [the director] placed them in sleeping rooms. Then they will place it in the room where children play and eat.
3 . A lot of developing games
4 . Damp napkins and pampers for hygiene.
5 . Liquid soap and shampoo - specially for small children - without allergenic additives
6 . Stockings from natural fabric, hats for walk, romper suit and panties.
7 . Creams and ointments from an intertrigo.
8 . Boxes with juice
All in the shelter is so glad to such set of gifts. At once at an entrance on the first floor the security guard exclaimed: so a lot of good things! It is so important for them at this moment when they need almost everything. At once there are so much opportunities: to replace old furniture which is necessary to children daily during eat and for games, they couldn't make this already long time, simply repaired and stuck together the old; to give to children good medicines, clothes, games for studies and all the rest. 

People were very inspired. Each of workers at once started sorting those things which are necessary in his part of care: [the director] took medicines in the office, the educational psychologist took in training class games and manuals, tutors sorted clothes (in one photo it is visible stockings on her shoulder), nurses took soaps and means for care... [the director] and all others convey huge thanks to you and all philanthropists. And things and support from such devoted friends is very important for them. 

We tried to mention all needs at least gradually. I looked for on the Internet, looked in shops to compare the prices and asked friends. For example, I bought clothes in the market from the same woman, as last time, and she remembered me and again gave a good discount in the price, as it is for a shelter. Thus everything turned out well.

Marina you are such a blessing!!  I ask you all to please keep Marina in your prayers.  With this ban on US adoptions, she is out of a job.... a job that she has devoted herself to completely, heart and soul, for several years.  Her heart is with the orphans and it is very tough on her to move on.  Marina went above and beyond in every way possible and continues to do so however she can.  Moreover, I pray that this ban will be lifted and she will be able to return to the work she enjoyed most.  We love you, Marina!!  We are indebted to you for all you did for our Pskov babies! xoxoxo

As for Warm Shelter, we had hoped to continue holding more fundraisers and send more donations to help them throughout the year, but since we lost our contact, we must wait.  I will keep you posted if we are able to find a way to send more funds.  Thank you to all who participated in our auction- you truly made a difference in the life of several orphans!