Packing light?

"Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege."
John D. Rockefeller Jr.

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from a woman I have never met. She explained that her daughter had adopted a child from Tokmok and that she felt an incredible bond to the place her beautiful granddaughter came from and a great affinity for the children who remained at the orphanage. Without even knowing me, but through this blog, she asked if she could send me a check and asked me to purchase items for the Children. I was quite surprised and a bit overwhelmed at such unconditional generousity, but quickly agreed that I would be more than happy to bring additional supplies to the orphanage. Within a few days I received a check for $200.00, such an incredible gift. Being the cunning bargain hunter that I am, I matched her donation and made that money stretch! I cleared clearance racks of sweat shirts, sweat pants, t-shirts, blouses, boys' button down (and handsome I might add) shirts, khaki pants, jeans, and sleepers. I got some strange looks the first time I checked out at Old Navy with more than a half dozen of the same pants in all different sizes. The next time I came in to scope out the deals, they brought me out a rack of clearance toddler clothes, a steal at $.97 each, I took the entire rack. Now whenever I go in they direct me to a stash of clearance kids wears and they ask for an update (I've had to promise them to bring Beck in as soon as he comes home). On another shopping venture I found a bin of toddler black velcro sneakers in assorted sizes, I quickly scooped them all up like a Mother with a chronic shoe fetish. I was quite pleased with these since they are fairly unisex, no need for the boys to be wearing little pink girl shoes. Along the way I picked up toys that were deemed educational and ones that the orphanage director had specifically asked for. Then there was the stock-up on school supplies sales! I picked up boxes and boxes of markers, colored pencils and crayons. In addition to the request for clothes and educational toys, the director really stressed the need for vitamins, namely the Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron drops. I cleared the shelves of these vitamins at both Walmart and Target.
I have to admit, it's been a pleasure picking out items for the children of Tokmok. I imagine their smiling faces wearing the clothes, playing with the toys or coloring. I am so thankful to this stranger, who has become a friend, for her incredible generousity. She made it possible to double the amount of items I wanted to bring back for the Orphanage. Thank you so much Melissa Taylor for your caring and giving spirit.