Donation Ideas

As many of you know, I like to plan ahead. So much so that I’m already planning and making lists (I love lists!) of what to take when we fly to Ethiopia ~ which is still MONTHS down the road! But you can never be too prepared, right? Anyone else love making lists!?

I’m constantly saving emails from our AWAA Yahoo Group and putting them into separate folders for when I’ll need them. I’m happy to say my “TRAVEL FOLDER” is growing and I get so excited looking through it!! Thanks to this wonderful group of friends, I now have an excellent idea on what airlines to use (which travel agency to use), what to pack, what trips we should do in-country, what to wear, shots we need to get, what to expect in certain situations, what to do if our kiddo has Scabbies (lots of posts on this one!), donations…. I’m talking so much information!! LOVE THIS GROUP!

For anyone interested, my sister and I were talking about this just this morning… here’s a list of current needs (as of 4/15) that another adoptive momma received from her family coordinator. It’ll give you an idea of some of what we’re hoping to bring with us (I wish we could bring all of it)! But I’m thinking it’s good (for Boz and myself) to look at the list every so often for when we’re out shopping. If we see great sales we can pick stuff up and start slowly growing our donation piles. Julie sent me a link to her friend’s garage sale tomorrow ~ they’re moving and have a TON of baby/toddler items!! Here’s hoping I can snag some things for our little man as well as for donations!!

CURRENT NEEDS....

Priority Transition Home Needs (4/14/2011)
1. Board books for toddlers
2. Bath towels for children
3. DVD players (2 needed)
4. Children's DVD's, especially educational or spiritually based movies.
5. Children's devotional books and books with a character-building, spiritual focus.
6. Devotional type books for older children
7. Puzzles for young children
8. Toy cars and trucks appropriate for toddler aged children

Orphanage and Transitional Home Donation Needs
o Iron drops
o Diaper rash ointment (A+D preferred)
o Paper towels
o Children's clothing (new or slightly used); Boys and Girls; sizes 0-8 years. Clothing needs include day clothes (especially pants), pajamas, underwear, and shoes.
o Diapers for up to 30 pounds
o Toys to stimulate babies such as colorful objects, rattles, etc. that are appropriate for babies up to 2 years
o Unscented baby wipes (they ask each family to bring 10 packs)
o Powder formula with DHA/RHA
o A + D Original Ointment, Diaper Rash and All-Purpose Skincare Formula
o Hand Sanitizer
o Candles
o Children's Notebooks

o Enfamil or Similar Lactose free formula*
*the following Generic Brands with identical nutritional value to Enfamil & Similac are also acceptable:
1. Parents Choice formula from Wal-Mart
2. Target's generic Formula
3. Kirkland formula from Costco
Soy based or other special formulas are also acceptable as long as they are one of the brands listed above.

Medications/Medical Donation Needs**
o Multivitamins
o Tri-vi-sol (o to 6 months)
o Poly-vi-sol (6 months to 2 years)
o Chewable multi-vitamin (2 years to 9 years)
o Adult multivitamin (9 years plus)
o Tylenol (acetaminophen)
o Infants
o Children's
o Suppository
o Syringes for giving medicines (5mL)
o Plastic and Latex disposable gloves
o Baby nose saline spray
o Neosporin
o Mouth and nose masks
o Benadryl liquid/elixir
o Permetherin for scabies
o Lice kits
o Toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss
**Please check the expiration date on all donation items as expired items will be discarded upon receipt and cannot be used.