Hands Across the Water

 Hello friends,

As I am feeling the joy, excitement and anticipation of Spring, I am also wanting to do some Spring cleaning and get rid of everything we don’t use or need anymore. I wanted to reach out to all of you, in case any of you are beginning your Spring cleaning as well. Before you drop off your used goods to Goodwill, or anywhere else that charges others for our things, please know that I have other options for you.
I am collecting used...everything...to send to Nigeria and Ivory Coast. My sister-in-law and another new friend, are always shopping at Goodwill and spending money that they don’t have, before they go back to their home countries. 
They use any money they have to buy clothes for their villages and towns. With the amount of things that we all get rid of, we could clothe both of the villages.

I spoke with my new friend, Edwin, from Nigeria and I was amazed by the things he does for his people. He even donates chairs to their churches because otherwise, they have to bring their own chairs from home! They are in need of so much that when I said that I would send out an email to everyone I know… he beamed with excitement, saying, “even used bras are needed. They are so happy to get anything! Used shoes, toys, clothing…”

I cleaned out my garage and have been filling it with used clothes of all shapes and sizes, purses, bags, backpacks, school supplies, shoes, socks, bras, pajamas, linens, toys, games… just about anything, on
one side, and furniture on the other.  Edwin and Awa (my sister-in-law) continue to come to pick up the donations and pack them into containers to send to Africa. The only problem is that the shipping costs are high, so we are looking for corporate and personal sponsorships/donations to pay for them.

The furniture will be taken in a U-Haul that I will rent and, along with anyone who would like to help me, will be distributed to needy families (if any of you know families in need, we can deliver to them as well).

If this is something that you would like to have your children get involved in, they can come and help sort, fold, box…they can be here during pick up, and/or with any of you for distribution.

My garage is officially open for anything you would like to donate. I am really excited to take this on and to know that all of us can make a
wonderful difference in the lives of other with things that we were going to get rid of anyway.

My address is:

2 Sherwood Farms Lane

Westport, CT 06880

Thank you all.  I know that we all want to do good. I hope that I can make it easier for us all to make a difference and make a change.

If my garage is closed, items can be left in front of my mud room and then I will transfer them into my garage. I welcome any large plastic containers or cardboard boxes, packing tape and sharpies for labeling boxes.

Thank you all so much!!! Happy Spring!  Isn’t it exciting to see the sun!

Also, if you are comfortable forwarding this to your friends, please do.

xoxoxo
Loren Rubino

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