Donate this Christmas...:)

UPDATE on this post:: Monetary donations are preferred as customs in Ethiopia is very strict! However, if you had rather put together a care package or buy individual items I will pack them all up and ship them no problem!! Thank you again so very much!

I am going to start very early collecting as much as possible for the orphanage and transition home in Ethiopia. This Christmas season if you feel inclined to donate monetarily you can do so on my blog via paypal and I will announce where every last cent goes later in the process when I find what the most need is. I can guarantee you it will be used to buy things for children in this orphanage that we buy every week for our own children and don't think twice. If you would like to donate items instead...this is a list of items I will be collecting, but they would like anything, they are kids! It doesn't have to be pricey, if you see something adorable on the Target discount rack for 75% off , grab it, as long as it is NEW, I can send it to Ethiopia. It doesn't have to be "namebrand"--generic is fine! Best of all, I am pretty sure I will have many pictures of them in clothes, diapers, playing with toys, etc...donated by YOU!
If you don't think you have any extra money to give, here are just a few ways to possibly make it happen:

1. Don't drink Starbucks for a few days
2. Skip eating out one meal and eat at home  
3. Save your spare change in a giving jar (let your kids get in on it)
4. Forgo expensive drinks one weekend and drink water instead, considering one glass of wine is average $12 that's a good return:)
5. Instead of taking a date night that requires a lot of money like a dinner and a movie, go for a run/walk..sit and talk (in peace) over coffee
6. Ask people you work/friends with to donate $1! Yes, even $1 adds up really quick over a period of time..and I could find some fun toys at Dollar Tree for the kids!
7. Sell old books on ebay or amazon
8. Sell old clothes on ebay or online or in local thrift stores (I saw on the Today Show where girls were making BIG money doing this!
9. Sell an old piece of furniture on Craiglist
10. Clean out your garage and you can always find something that someone on Craigslist will buy

Below is a list of items currently needed::

Toys- baby teethers, pacifiers, etc. as well 

Baby powder

Hand sanitizer

Baby wipes (unscented)

Cloth Diapers

Disposable Diapers

Infant Tylenol and Advil (Childrens as well)

Multi Vitamins syrup & tablets for different age groups

Iron drops for infants

Anti fungal ointment

Diaper rash cream 

Lice Treatment shampoo

Coloring Books and Crayons

Baby bottles

Baby t-shirts

Baby sweaters

Hats for the babies

Baby Lotion

Band-Aids/Neosporin

Towels for the babies

Blankets for the babies

Children’s Books

Toothpaste and toothbrushes

Pedialyte

Shoes (especially Crocs for toddlers/big kids/and caretakers)

Clothes

Items for caretakers such as Bibles, perfume, clothing, etc.

If you write a letter or have your child draw them a letter I will have it translated for you:)

You can mail to me at :

4225 Carrolton Drive Franklin, TN 37064 OR if you are local you can drop off anytime to me OR I can meet you OR I can come to you!! I have a big storage room that my goal is to PACK FULL of things for these children!

Thank you for your support!!

Amy