We hoped to fix that this year by shipping clothes and toys to the children. Enough so that parents could provide a gift for each child in the family.
Then we ran in to a snag. Our head Christmas Elf got sick and couldn't organize the program. We have no presents! We need to send 200 gifts for children ages birth-16 by mid September.We need items for both boys and girls. Kids' clothing and shoes (remember this is a tropical climate so no winter items please), hair clips and bows, purses and backpacks. Dolls - preferably Asian or with dark hair, UNO, stuffed animals, toy cars, baby toys, legos, Harry Potter books or related items always a good bet for older kids, coloring books and crayons...Nothing that uses batteries or electricity, nothing that is illegal to ship through the mail (perfumes, nail polish), nothing that could spill or melt, nothing that promotes violence please the Philippines has seen more than its share of violence (no tanks, toy guns, soldiers).
In December the volunteers in the Philippines will set up a toy store. Parents will be able to purchase an item for each of their children for only 1 or 2 pesos - about the equivalent of 3 cents. We are asking the parents to buy the items for several reasons:
- We want them to feel a sense of pride for being able to provide special things for their children.
- We want the children to know that their parents can provide special things for them.
- We want parents to feel like they are participating in the program as equals and not victims.
If there are any prospective Santas or Elves, hiding out there looking for an exciting project to take on really quickly, please contact Julie at info @ herstarscholars. org. I can arrange pick-ups or drop off areas in Ithaca/Corning/Elmira, Pittsburgh and possibly the Washington DC area. For others I can provide a shipping address in California. For more details or a copy of the toy store project proposal feel free to contact Her Star Scholars. I want everyone to know that the funds for shipping these items to the Philippines are not coming from any general donations we have received. All of that goes directly to the programming for the children. One generous donor has offered money specifically for the shipping.
