10/21/07 - Peru or Bust!
I had to postpone my humanitarian trip to Peru because of delays in getting my passport renewed and I wasn't able to raise enough money in time. However, I finally received my passport and I have received confirmation that I will be going to Peru in December!!! I am very excited. I will be going from December 29-January 7. The children of Peru need more help than before, especially after the recent earthquake. Many children who lost their parents in the earthquake are and will be going to the orphanage. I found out during my trip in December, among other things, we will be helping to finish a 3rd dorm for 40 more orphan children.
I still need to raise about $500 to go on the trip and about $1800 for airfare (tickets are expensive now). If you haven't donated already, I would greatly appreciate your help and support.
7/9/07 - Update - Almost there! You've raised $645!! Please join in supporting me! Thanks!
6/27/07 - Update: Thanks to all of you who have sponsored me!! You have raised $610 so far!!! Yeah!. I need to raise a lot more money before I can go on this humanitarian trip. I am setting a personal deadline to raise the remaining funds by July 31st. So, this means there are only 34 more days to raise the rest!! Please help spread the word to all of your friends and family. Every little bit helps! Thank you!
A local news station ran a story about Southern Cross Humanitarian and my trip. You can view it by going to this link:
http://www.2news.tv/features/helpmepaul/8120247.html
6/13/07 - Update: The trip is less than 2 months away!! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Together, we have made a good start towards the goal! Thank you. However, the street children in Peru need more help, so please donate! I need to raise at least $3,000 in order to help at the orphanage in August. But I would also like to raise more money so that the children's basic needs (clothing, shelter, food, books, medical care, etc) will continue to be provided to them.
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." --Joy J. Golliver
Original message...
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! Many of you supported me on my humanitarian trip to Sri Lanka in February 2005. I want to thank you again for your help! You made a huge impact on many Sri Lankan children who were suffering from the effects of the tsunami. After my trip to Sri Lanka, I decided that I wanted to dedicate my life, the gifts, and education that God has given me to help as many "forgotten children" on this earth as I can.
"Because I have been given much, I too must give." - Grace Noll Crowell
So, now, I am planning another humanitarian expedition in August...this time to an orphanage in Peru. I recently read the book, The Sunflower, by Richard Paul Evans (author of The Christmas Box) and became passionate about the work being done by Southern Cross Humanitarian. On this expedition, I will be utilizing my fluency in Spanish, my social work training, as well as grunt labor :-) to help these "forgotten" children. The trip is only three months away, so I could use your help!
Southern Cross Humanitarian is dedicated to helping homeless, abused, neglected, and abadoned children in Latin America. They provide orphanages, drop-in centers, food, clothing, education, shelter, medical/dental/social services, and, most importantly, love to abandoned street children. You can read more about this wonderful organization at www.sxhu.org
There is also a news story at: http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/?videoId=60669
The money you donate will be used to support my trip and care for these children. I am asking all my friends and family for a small monetary donation of at least $10.00. If all of you donate, we will raise enough money. I'm hoping you will join me to change children's lives.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. You can donate anonymously if you would like. And you do not need to register on this site, just simply provide an e-mail address. Or, if you prefer, you can mail the donation directly to me or Southern Cross Humanitarian.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
THANK YOU!!!!