Each year since we've been in Hungary my wife has organized and led a Christmas program for Hungarian orphans. Each year we sponsored a different orphanage. We put an "Angel Tree" project together. My wife would meet with the director of the orphanage, and had the children INDIVIDUALLY write their age and what they are interested in (Legos, Barbie dolls, etc.). Then we would bring that info back and post this on individual cards on a centrally located Christmas tree. People could then take a card and sponsor a child by purchasing a gift according to what they are interested in. Last year we met at the orphanage and handed out gifts to EACH of the 96 children, calling them up BY NAME. THAT WAS AWESOME to see their reactions. PRICELESS.
BUT... yesterday I came home to find my wife in tears. She told me that our base commander took over the project as his own and was now giving direction to my wife on how it will operate. He said we will not be sponsoring an orphanage, it will be a local safe house. He also said there would be no more personal requests. Just boy/girl and age. Unbelievable! I don't have a problem with the safe house, but we do stuff there all the time. I've personally been there doing repairs, painting, etc. with other people. We just need to spread the blessings around a little and not just focus on one place.
So I came up with an idea. I found a way to post a document online where people can sign up and sponsor orphans just like before. The Colonel can do his own thing. Frustrating, but we have a work-around.
I am NOT soliciting involvement from you, my fellow FJ riders. I'm just venting a little.
Here's some photos from last year. This orphanage was nearly a 1 hour drive away, but there was a great need.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-3.jpg)
My wife speaking to them through a translator:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-2.jpg)
Each child was called up by name:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-5.jpg)
This is me talking with a couple of the kids:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-23.jpg)
You can't go into a facility like this an not be moved. In the picture below, all these children came from the same family. Their dad murdered their mom, and now he's in prison and all the children brought here.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-20.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/Lotsokids/Hungary/Untitled-24.jpg)
I'm in ... what's your pay pal account?
Frank
Leave it to somebody to screw up a true altruistic endeavor.
You and your wife are amazing.
Bless you both.
Steve
Quote from: racerman_27410 on October 05, 2012, 07:31:55 AM
I'm in ... what's your pay pal account?
Frank
I'm with Frank. I know you said you were not soliciting. Stuff that. Do let those of us that do want to help, know how we may, please?
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 05, 2012, 10:54:57 AM
Quote from: racerman_27410 on October 05, 2012, 07:31:55 AM
I'm in ... what's your pay pal account?
Frank
I'm with Frank. I know you said you were not soliciting. Stuff that. Do let those of us that do want to help, know how we may, please?
Dan
:hi: Like Frank and Dan, I'm in... :good2: My step dad, (who passed two years ago), came out of Hungary (Budapest) during the '56 uprisings..I'd be more than happy to help out those that are way less fortunate than me/us :good2:
John.
I'm in and glad to do it. Just need a PayPal.
Put up a postal address and some Aussie goodies will be sent.
Dont have much to give in one go, but every bit must help a little :scratch_one-s_head:
Our church has done angle tree for years, as long as I can remember. I would like to help out as well, just let me know how!
Count me in also......
Thanks all for the kind words and willingness to help. I want to be careful that I don't set a precedent for money transactions here on the forum. That was not my intention. My wife and I are thankful that you guys want to make a difference.
The way we did it in the past was to try to keep it fair for all the kids. We had a limit of $20 to spend on each child. If people wanted to do more, you could sponsor more kids. But as you may understand, we have to keep it as even as possible. For those who want to sponsor an orphan, I will send you each a private message later (maybe in 2 or 3 weeks) with my PayPal account and children's info when we get ready to start this year's event. Maybe I can keep you connected personally with your gift and child and possibly pictures. I know that's a large task, but it means a lot.
Klavdy - You will be the first to get involved if you wish. I will send you my address via PM now. It will take some time for shipping, so maybe if you send it by mid-November at the latest. Make sure you mark it as "gift" on the customs label, otherwise Hungary's VAT soaks me for 27% of the value. Thanks so much for the offer!
I really didn't intend for this to develop into what it is, but we do appreciate it and sincerely thank you. :good2:
Put me in coach !!! Make the world a better place.
Quote from: movenon on October 07, 2012, 12:36:51 PM
Make the world a better place.
I totally agree... it has to start somewhere! :good2:
I'll be looking for the PM.
KOokaloo! (for the kids!)
Frank
Power Rangers were made for this kind of help, count me in..... And point me the nearest gigantic insect that just landed from planet Betelgeuse so I can justify my existence.
Count me in as well. :good:
And just where in tarnation have you been,Bean?
Well, we got it back. My boss talked to the commander on Tuesday and told him that we will call the shots. Nice!
When we decide on an orphanage (or two) to support this year, I'll let you know. We are still thinking about using the online sign-up form listing the children, ages, and interests. You will be able to select who you want to support and document your name as the sponsor. Remember the limit of $20 per child to make it fair. I will send a PM with more details to those who said they want to get involved. I will obviously need to purchase the gift for you once you send the funds to me via PayPal. I would like to try the best I can to keep you informed on the gift you purchased and the child it went to with photos, but with hundreds of kids, that might be difficult. I've been on the forum for a few years now and I hope you can trust my integrity.
P.S. - Many kids love Legos, but they are seriously expensive here. I might be able to get some from the U.S. before Christmas.
More to follow. Thanks for wanting to make a difference. :i_am_so_happy:
Excellent news, happy to hear that you got the program back.
Most excellant news! :good2:
the sooner we can get the money to you the sooner you can get the ball rolling.... i loved my legos when i was a kid..... heck i like playing with them now with my nephew.... they have some really cool kits nowadays!
I'm not worried one bit about your integrity.
KOokaloo!
Frank
I'm stil in :) ! Glad to hear your project is still on track.
(popcorn)
I never had a single doubt about your integrity. Looking forward for your PMs. :good2: I'm going to show this thread to my wife and get our kids involved too. This will be good for them.
Benjy
I'm in. This is such a small donation to help put a smile on someone's face, make life just a bit more enjoyable.
:hi: Lets get 'er done...these kids need/deserve our help :good2:
Where do you want the donations :mail1:
John.
Awesome, ,now, where do we send the lego too :yahoo:
I'm still in.
Let me know if you need state-side support for buying and shipping Legos or other toys that are difficult or expensive to obtain.
Dan
My money is tight right now, but not THAT tight!
I'm in, also, for one (1) child's worth.
Steve
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on October 12, 2012, 03:19:12 AM
My money is tight right now, but not THAT tight!
I'm in, also, for one (1) child's worth.
Steve
same here mate,
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on October 12, 2012, 03:19:12 AM
My money is tight right now, but not THAT tight!
I'm in, also, for one (1) child's worth.
Steve
I know what you mean Steve, but me too. :yes:
Count me in.
/Nat
Count me in....... Glad that you and your wife are back in charge of this event. :good:
I'm in. Smile on a kids face...Priceless....
Darran
I'm in as well. Just let me know where and when to send. Big R
Me, too. Maybe you could post up a short video of this year's event. Thanks to you and the wife for your involvement.
I'll start stashing away now and cover as many kids as I can. If you'd rather I ship some Legos, let me know the specifics.
GT
Bump for any updates on the Christmas program?
KOokaloo!
Frank
Ad me to the list.... :drinks:
I can help with this! Just let me know the details.
Again, thanks to everyone who desires to help. This has NOT fallen off the radar, I assure you. We have decided this year to sponsor an orphanage in Veszprém, Hungary. My wife is still arranging the details with contacts there. I will notify everyone personally who mentioned interest in being involved.
count me in...good work on you and your wife's part!
:hi: Yep, still in... :good2:
John.
:good2:
Again, I can't thank you all enough. The commander decided to hijack our Angel Tree anyway. He just posted it today. I'll be counting on you all since this guy will possibly be taking away most of our usual givers. We are still on with OUR Angel Tree project and still doing this for an orphanage in Veszprem, Hungary. My wife is having a hard time with communications there and needs to coordinate through an interpreter. So it's slower than we expected.
I've considered contacting the General that this commander works for and describe this hijacking.
We're still going forward!!! :good2: THANKS AGAIN. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED with details as soon as I get them.
:hi: If not for people like you and your good lady, we would certainly be unaware of the problems encountered in other countries not as affluent as the ones most of us come from/live in.
PLEASE, keep up the good work ... we will ALL support you as best as we can, I'm sure.
John.
PM's sent.
Thanks to everyone who expressed interest in getting involved! :i_am_so_happy:
Quote from: Lotsokids on November 23, 2012, 02:33:19 PM
PM's sent.
Thanks to everyone who expressed interest in getting involved! :i_am_so_happy:
JUst let me know if there is a child left un sponsered and i will pick them up also.
KOokaloo!
Frank
Quote from: racerman_27410 on November 23, 2012, 06:14:00 PM
Quote from: Lotsokids on November 23, 2012, 02:33:19 PM
PM's sent.
Thanks to everyone who expressed interest in getting involved! :i_am_so_happy:
JUst let me know if there is a child left un sponsered and i will pick them up also.
KOokaloo!
Frank
+1
Just let me know what I can do to help .
You are amazing .
!!
BUMP
I know how blessed i was and still am to have a Mother and Father who loved me unconditionally and supported/admonished me whenever i needed it...Not to mention all the imparted life wisdom that saved me a ton of trouble and pain as i grew older...... I cannot begin to imagine how alone these kids must feel.
Lets let them know that even though the world is a very large place they are not alone!
There are 4 children left to sponsor....
if you didnt get the PM with instructions on how to sponsor a child from Lostokids than just PM me and i will forward it to you.
20 bucks is not a lot to invest in making an orphan kid's Christmas a bit happier!
Kookaloo!
Frank
Donated and can donate for another if necessary.
Quote from: pdxfj on November 27, 2012, 09:19:35 PM
Donated and can donate for another if necessary.
DITTO... :good2:
John.
Quote from: pdxfj on November 27, 2012, 09:19:35 PM
Donated and can donate for another if necessary.
I understand there are some of you "chomping at the bit" to finalize this. I'll give it a little more time before I open the gates for you guys to sponsor another. I assume people may be travelling, etc.
YOU guys are amazing. I can't take all the glory... we couldn't have done it without you. As promised, I will do my best to take pictures of EACH child that is sponsored with your gift. I think that's important.
1. We got all the kids sponsored. This is amazing. My wife and I are excited that this is working out. If you read my very first post in this thread, you know this is nothing like I expected.
2. I got the "Australian gifts" from Klavdy at the post office yesterday. Those will go into the candy bags for these 2 specific locations you guys are sponsoring.
I cannot thank you enough. My wife is going shopping to get those gifts soon. We plan to deliver all this on December 21.
Mark,
Thank you for being a good person and bringing the situation to light for the rest of us.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Brother!
Frank
thanks for update Mark...
I picked a kid with a name similar to Sylvester?...I thought with a name like that the kid was gonna need some help and direction!!!...and I wonder what Sylvester is doing tonight....hopefully he's chasing one of those girls you other guys have sponsored LOL....sorry guys, Syl is probably a charming stud I think ;) ....yeah, he's probably the smart nerd with glasses that gets the girls us other guys couldn't and never understood why...
I look forward to Syl being my personal tech guru and solving all these conspiracies waiting for me everytime I turn my flippin computer on...I've gotta send him some TN Vols orange stuff to wear no doubt...I'm making a note to tell him to ignore current status in Knoxville and just Google "Peyton" :) ...hope all is well in your world tonight Sylvester...Merry Christmas...
thanks Mark
Louie
please don't take everything I said on previous post seriously, I was just cheering Sylvester on...having the connection that Mark has provided with these kids opens a link to wonder about what the kids go thru, especially the one you are sponsoring...I'm just excited that what little we can do will bring a smile to a kid facing struggles that we can't probably understand...again all the credit to Mark and his wife..I think they've given us a gift too