Angel Covers

Team Angel Covers

2010-03-15T17:13:00.004-06:00

I logged seven miles on Friday morning, in the fog and drizzle, with no one but the earthworms to keep me company! Poor worms, by mile 2 it was no longer a matter of attempting to adjust my pace and cadence to navigate around the little creepy crawlers, but more a matter of looking for the least populated spots for my feet to land. Despite being alone on the trail, I felt good about being out there, training for my race and brainstorming all of the ways to raise awareness about Angel Covers and the work we do. One tremendous step would be to have some partners in this adventure, so how about joining me? There are four easy steps:

1. Choose a race in your area. You can find local races by searching http://www.active.com/ or the 'Race finder' on http://www.runnersworld.com/ Maybe you're a new runner or walker, and a 5K is the distance for you, or maybe you're a bit more seasoned athlete and a ½ marathon or full marathon are on your goals list. Find a race and register!
2. Set a fundraising goal. Angel Covers' staff can help you choose a particular program to direct your contributions to.
3. Spread the word. We'll help you set up a page on the Angel Covers website and you can add a widget to your blog, facebook page, or anywhere else you can think of to get the word out.
4. Keep us updated on your progress so we can share your amazing efforts with our supporters!

Not sure about running yourself? Please help me instead by going to http://www.angelcovers.org/teamAC/teamAC_holly.php and making a donation.

Running for a cause,

Holly

Caring people around the world.

2010-03-02T08:38:00.006-07:00

I'm the first to admit that I'm not always very good about telling you how many ways people are helping Angel Covers and the kids we serve. But every month, someone new comes forward wanting to help. Sometimes it's for big jobs, like coordinating our programs, and other times it's in smaller ways. The last several months have been no different.

At the end of 2009, Rossella decided to participate in World Run Day. She made a pledge to Angel Covers and ran 7 miles in our honor. Some people would say that the $20 she pledged won't go very far, but $20 will buy a piece of fruit for 250 kids in Kenya, or feed an orphan in China for a month. Can we really say that $20 didn't make much of a difference? The children she supported think it did.

After returning from Kenya in September, Ivan had the idea to create money boxes and set them out at pharmacies around Spain. This week Ivan sent us $375 collected from these money boxes, which will be used to help rebuild the Humble Hearts school. That will buy at least 15 desks, or sets of textbooks, or blackboard.

In January, a Daisy troop collected two boxes full of first aid supplies for Humble Hearts. They also made adorable picture frames for the children of Angel Cottage. So often we take for granted that when we get a cut, a bandaid and antibiotic ointment will be waiting for us in the medicine cabinet. But the girls of this daisy troop realize how comforting and necessary first aid supplies are, and have provided months of comfort to the children of Humble Hearts.

Yesterday I learned that Abi, age 10, raised enough money to sponsor a Mama's Wish girl for one year. WOW! At the age of 10, she raised $130.00 and is now changing the life of a teenager halfway around the world. Xianba Ji will now be able to attend high school, will not be forced to marry at 14, and will have options after graduation she never could have dreamed of before....all because a 10 year old decided to raise money for her.

Today I learned that one of our program coordinators is going to run the Fredrick half marathon in May. She is establishing "Team Angel Covers" and developing a program so that anyone around the world can also run a half or full marathon in order to raise funds for specific needs in our programs. Want to run for Angel Covers? More information will be following soon about this new program and how you can get involved. Run as a group or individually knowing you are running with the support of Angel Covers. You will not only finish your race, but provide children around the world with what they need to finish ahead in life. Lots of thanks goes to Holly for developing this great program!

Every little thing we do makes a huge difference in lives around the world. I believe people around the world doing things such as these are the real heroes. What can you do today to make a difference in the world around you?

In awe,

Kari

-------

Finally!!

2010-02-06T16:37:00.007-07:00

Months ago (ok, maybe even a year ago or more) Angel Covers started "selling" bricks at the new Angel Cottage. The idea was that for a donation of $10 or more, you could have your name engraved into a brick at the new home. These bricks would not only help complete this much needed home, but would also provide a beautiful visual aid to the students, showing them just how many people around the world love and support them.

Many bricks were purchased, both to have our own names on them, or in honor of those we love. While this project was hugely successful, it took much longer than any of us thought to get the home built and to get the names on the walls.

Good news though!!! Names are on the walls and they are beautiful!! Pictures are still coming in and everyone who purchased a brick will get an individual pictures. While we are waiting on all of the individual pictures, I wanted everyone to see how wonderful the dinning room at Angel Cottage looks. The bright and cheerful messages and names on the walls will be a constant source of inspiration for the children of Angel Cottage.

Forever grateful,

Kari

Empower a Girl with Mama's Wish

2010-01-26T10:13:00.020-07:00

We are delighted to welcome several new girls to our Mama's Wish Education Program. These very smart and determined girls have beaten all the odds, and we would love to find new sponsors for them as soon as possible.

These bright girls come from very poor villages in rural QingHai Province in China - where attending school is often just a dream, especially if you are a girl. Without this opportunity for education, most of these girls would have been forced into marriage at a very young age, and work in the fields to support their struggling families. With our help they now aspire to be teachers, scientists and doctors. All of our students are incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and each of them looks forward to giving back to their communities.

For just $130 you can sponsor a high school student for an entire school year, and help give her the tools she needs to succeed. As a Mama's Wish sponsor you will receive letters and photos of your student. You'll also have the opportunity to send her letters if you wish. Our students love to receive letters!

You can learn more about the Mama's Wish Education Program and see photos of our available students here: http://www.an gelcovers.org/mamawish.html

"We wish you everyday happy!"

Karen MacNair
Mama's Wish Sponsorship Coordinator

Working Together

2010-01-18T20:45:00.007-07:00

The end of last week, the children who attend Humble Hearts returned to the school to see the destruction. Parents and children cried together as they came to better understand all that was lost. As the official opening of the school, parents were eager to find ways of moving the school forward for their children.

These parents come from the extreme poverty, rarely have enough food for their families, live in tin shelters, and many lost their homes to the bulldozing as well. However, these families united behind the school and it's needs. Families with little for themselves came together and quickly purchased polls for a new temporary building. This building, which was constructed immediately by the families, will be used to teach the youngest of the Humble Hearts students. Additionally, the children from class 1 and up were moved into a nearby church. This church graciously opened their doors and is allowing Humble Hearts to rent rooms for a nominal monthly fee.

There's a lot of work to do for sure. Books must be purchased, partitions need to be put in place to divide classrooms, desks and blackboards are still needed. To help with any of these needs, please go to www.angelcovers.org/donation.html and mark your donation for the Humble Heart rebuild. We are continuing to look for options for a permanent solution to the Humble Hearts crisis, but it's amazing to know that in less than a month the children are back in school and parents whose children have not attended Humble Hearts in the past are begging for their admittance.

From the parents to the children to the teachers to our donors...everyone is proving how much they love this school. Thank you seems completely inadequate.

So very grateful,

Kari

Humble Hearts will soon reopen!

2010-01-11T11:15:00.002-07:00

In the past 10 days since my last update, emails have been flying back and forth between the US and Kenya. Beatrice and I have been working hard to not only get the word out about what happened at Humble Hearts, but to also find a solution so children can start school as soon as possible. Fortunately many possibilities have been presented to us and everything seems to be coming together so the children can start school again this week.

In the past 10 days we have learned that it wasn't the government at all how bulldozed HH and the surrounding homes and businesses, and this certainly wasn't a mistake. Instead it was the Kenya Railway and Kenya Pipeline Companies carried out these terrible acts. By the end of the month, they are planning to wipe out every church, business, school and home in their way between Western Kenya and Mombasa on the coast. They will be giving individuals and businesses little if any compensation. While meeting still are continuing with these companies and the Kenyan government offices, little help is expected.

However, a church very close to HH has agreed to let us use their building temporarily for the school. For only $205 a month, the building can be rented and children will be arriving to start school as early as Thursday. Tomorrow (the 12th), students from HH will return to the site of the school so Beatrice and the other teachers know how many children plan on continuing their education at HH and how many have moved. Additionally, the deaf children living at Angel Cottage have already started arriving and will begin school this week as well. We will be increasing the number of children to 40, including some hearing orphaned children.

Must still needs to be done this week. Lists of school supplies, books, and other needed materials will be made and thanks to so many generous donations, will be purchased right away. We will also be making lists of all of the kids who returned so we can notify sponsors if any have moved.

In the past 3 weeks since we learned of the HH demolition, more than $3,300 has been raised from individuals around the world. We were all heart-broken and overwhelmed. But through this tragedy it has become clear to me how important this school...not only to the children it serves, but to everyone who supports it. Humble Hearts is bringing hope to hundreds of children in the slums of Nairobi and even though the school is no longer standing, the children's dreams are alive and well.

Always grateful,

Kari

An update on Humble Hearts

2009-12-28T14:32:00.005-07:00

Yesterday I received unbelievable pictures of Humble Hearts...or where Humble Hearts used to be. It was completely shocking to me to see literally nothing left. I only received 2 pictures, but they really show that nothing remains.

Beatrice told me today that the attorneys involved are associated with organizations like Amnesty International who pay for the services. Part of the problem right now is that offices are closed due to the holiday so they are simply having to wait before they talk to anyone.

She also said that many of the building in the pictures you see still standing either weren't bulldozed because people were threatening to set fire to the bulldozers or have already been rebuilt. Maybe people have asked about Angel Cottage. Angel Cottage is in a completely different area of town and was not effected by this. The children will still be able to move in and attend school there, so we don't have to worry about them fortunately.

Information is painfully slow coming in, but as I know anything I'll let everyone know.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to the rebuilding effort. I don't know yet where we will rebuild, but I do know that rebuilding has to occur. This school is vital to each of the children who attend.

Tragic news from Humble Hearts

2009-12-24T12:59:00.002-07:00

On the evening of the 22nd, I received one of the most heart-breaking emails ever from Beatrice. The government of Nairobi, Kenya is working to put a pipeline throughout the city. Sadly, they are simply bulldozing neighborhoods where the pipeline needs to be buried. Approximately one week ago, the government bulldozed Humble Hearts and the neighboring businesses and homes. I've been learning more and more details, but it's clear that most of the school is lost.

We are grateful that the latrines were left untouched and the water tank is safe. As the bulldozers were moving through the school, staff and neighbors were able to safe about 10 of the classroom blackboards and some books. However, all of the classrooms have been flattened as well as the office and kitchen.

Right now the question is where to rebuild the school. Community members are coming together and working with human rights lawyers trying to ensure that this doesn't happen again. Sadly the government is admitting that bulldozing the area was a mistake but are unwilling to help rebuild.

Right now there is a blackout through Nairobi because of intense rains, so I have been unable to get pictures of the destruction. What we know is that are going to need to raise a lot of money in order to rebuild Humble Hearts and allow the children to return to school.

During the holiday season, if there is any way you can help these children regain some of the hope they have lost please go to http://www.angelcovers.org/donation.html and make a donation.

Everyone at Angel Covers is so very sad that this has happened to children who already have so little. Your support through the year has been incredible. Please help us show these children that they will still be able to reach their dreams through an education.

Kari

December already?!

2009-12-07T17:07:00.006-07:00

As I got to my office today, I was shocked that the calendar said December 7 already. Didn't my kids just return to school for the year a couple of weeks ago? Since I apparently missed a couple of months somewhere I have so much to tell you.

The annual Gifts From The World auction was a great success. More than $1,900 was raised for the children of Angel Cottage! When adding that to the total we have raised from the sale of holiday cards http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html and the America's Giving Challenge, more than the $10,000 needed for the matching donation has been raised since October 1. What fabulous donors we have!! The first $5,000 has been sent to Angel Cottage and beds, tables, benches, materials for the fence, food, fuel for the stoves, and many other needed items were purchased for the children. Before school resumes in January, the remaining $10,000 will be sent and even more items will be purchased for these great kids. What an amazing Christmas present you have given them!!!

Speaking of presents... :-) As the holiday's approach, please remember to shop Amazon.com through the Angel Covers' website. By following this link, you will not only get your shopping done, but will also give Angel Covers 4% of your purchase without it costing you anything. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html

Searching for the perfect gift? Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/ to complete your search. By using Good Search, Angel Covers will receive $.01 for each search you complete. I know $.01 doesn't sound like much, but just today we received a check for $36.54 because of people around the world designating Angel Covers when using Good Search. I've been using this service for months and I really believe it's just as good as Google and other other big search engines. Plus, through the toolbar, you can shop using Good Shop and Angel Covers will receive even more!

Our gift cards remain a great item for teachers or those who have everything. Our gift cards http://www.angelcovers.org/giftcards.html and greeting cards http://www.angelcovers.org/greetingcards.html make great gifts and make a huge difference in the lives of children all over the world. Plus, there is still time to get custom made blankets, and many other items delivered to you by the holidays. Check out our website for lots of great ideas.

We still have two girls in our Mama's Wish program who need sponsors. For $130 a year or $11 a month, you can send one of these bright young ladies to high school. This would make a great present for someone or a wonderful way to end the year making a life changing gift to a child. Please contact Karen if you are interested in helping. karen@angelcovers.org

Your support throughout the year has changed the lives of children in China, Kenya, and Ukraine. Children are attending school, are receiving plenty of food each day, have new toys to play with, and are hitting developmental milestones they wouldn't have otherwise because of your generous gifts. Please help us end the year by continuing to show these children that each of them have a special place in our hearts.

So very grateful,

Kari

2009 Gifts From the World Auction

2009-11-15T21:08:00.007-07:00

Hi Everyone,

This years Gifts From The World auction is up and running! There are more than 75 beautiful items from around the world. The auction is over on Friday the 20th, so bid soon. Every single penny raised will go to finish purchasing items for the children of Angel Cottage, including educational needs like desks, textbooks, and blackboards. We have raised more than $8,600 towards our goal of $10,000. We don't have far to go. With the holiday's right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to start some of your shopping!

Click this link to view the auction!

Please pass this link on to your family and friends. You have all been incredibly supportive of the children living at Angel Cottage! Here's a great opportunity to not only help these children further, but get beautiful items for yourself or those you love.

Thank you!!

2009-11-10T13:33:00.004-07:00

As you know, the America's Giving Challenge ended Friday, Nov. 6. We were so glad to be a part of such a huge challenge. Our little grass roots organization raised just over $7,700 for the children of Angel Cottage and came in 22nd out of more than 7,100 organizations entered. Amazing! Sales of holiday card and donations received directly by us during the month of the challenge raised another $600. The children of Angel Cottage now have more than $8,300 of the $10,000 needed for the matching funds. I can't thank you all enough.

In an effort to raise the remaining $1,700 needed for the matching donation, we will be holding our annual Gifts From The World auction starting this Saturday the 14th through Nov. 20. Please check out these great items donated to us from around the world. Think holiday gifts! Watch our website for a direct link to the auction. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftsfromtheworld.html The items are beautiful!

Please also remember to order your holiday cards. They are selling fast already! All of the money raised through the sale of these cards also go to the children of Angel Cottage. http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html

Please be sure to join the Angel Covers fan page on Facebook if you haven't already. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Covers/182221079501 We will be posting LOTS of pictures, updates of programs, and news as often as possible. It's a great way to keep up to date with what's happening with Angel Covers.

More than 30 deaf children moved into their new home this week. Because of all of you, they each have their own bed, the wall for the play area is started, and tables will arrive soon. These children have learned how capable and important to the world they truly are because of your support. There's no greater gift.

So very grateful,

Kari

Let's Finish Strong!

2009-11-05T21:08:00.005-07:00

Tomorrow at 1:00 MST ends the America's Giving Challenge. At the start of this challenge, we set a goal to raise $10,000. So far we have raised almost $7,600 through this challenge directly. We have also raised another $600+ through the sale of our holiday cards and other donations. Because of all of you, we have less than $2,000 needed before we reach our goal!

Because of the more than $8,200 we have raised and the $4,100 matching donation, the children of Angel Cottage have new beds, a concrete wall is being built to create a safe play area, and tables are being built. Your generosity is turning this concrete building into a true home. The children are looking forward to having room to run and play, to having tables for eating and studying, and to having multiple bathrooms.

As the children prepare to move into their new home, please help us finish this marathon-like challenge strong. With your help, this home will be all they have dreamed it will be.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135

So grateful,

Kari

Before and After

2009-11-02T21:05:00.004-07:00

I just love before and after pictures! They tell a story better than any words ever can. You may remember the pictures of of the kids crammed in their bedrooms at Angel Cottage. The beds are end to end, side to side, in small rooms with 2 and 3 children sleeping in each. Today, I got the best "after" picture of the girls' room at the new Angel Cottage!

I know that walking between beds seems completely normal. It is to most of us. But these girls have been living in very tight, very unhealthy rooms for the past 2 years because they have no where else to go. As soon as the kids move into the new Angel Cottage, they are going to feel like they are living in a mansion!

Angel Covers has a new fan page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Covers/182221079501 We will post pictures and updates from all our programs on a regular basis. Join us and see lots of before and after pictures as soon as we receive them.

Your support of the America's Giving Challenge is making Angel Cottage a home. Keep up the good work!

So grateful,

Kari

Moving forward

2009-11-01T14:52:00.005-07:00

The America's Giving Challenge is moving forward and so is Angel Cottage. Beds and mattresses are being moved in and the paint smell is on the way out. Beatrice and I decided to wait a week for the home to warm up and the paint smell to leave. It got quite cold in there after lots and lots of cold water was poured on the new concrete to help it cure. The walls have been painted a bright, cheerful yellow, and the dining room floor is red.

As the children prepare to move, we continue to work towards raising $10,000 for their needs. In the past 48 we have raised more than $250 and now only need to raise another $2,300 to meet our goal. A local girl scout troop recently donated more than $24 in change to help this cause. Way to go girls! More and more people are also purchasing holiday cards, with 50% of the cost of these cards going straight to the kids. http://www.angelcovers.org/holidaycards.html Additionally, our annual Gifts From The World auction will begin on Nov. 14 with all the proceeds going to the needs of Angel Cottage. http://www.angelcovers.org/giftsfromtheworld.html

The America's Giving Challenge ends on Nov. 6 at 1:00 MST. In the next 5 days, please ask as many people as you know to donate just $10 for these children, purchase holiday cards, or spread the word about our auction. Each of these is a way for you to provide vital assistance to the children of Angel Cottage. They are dreaming big because of the support from hundreds of people around the world. http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135/4968685?m=e56504ed

Thank you for helping make their dreams come true!

Kari

Please help us finish strong!

2009-10-30T20:38:00.005-06:00

On October 7 Angel Covers entered the America's Giving Challenge and the support was overwhelming. In the past 3 weeks more than $7,300 has been raised. With a goal of $10,000 we are on track to meet this goal for sure.

In the next 6 days until this challenge is over, we need the support of everyone possible. A donation of just $10 will completely change a child's life. The $7,300 raised already has been done primarily because hundreds of people were willing to donate $10 and ask others to do the same.

The children of Angel Cottage will soon be moving into their new home. Because of so many generous people, they will have new beds, sheets, blankets, sewing machines, and a fenced play area. Because of so many of you, this house is quickly turning into a home for the 35 children who live there...not to mention the several who are already planning on moving in this January.

In these last 6 days of the challenge, let's not stop working toward out goal. The children of Angel Cottage are working every day to prove to themselves and the world they are capable of great things. Please join me in working with these children to show the world what amazing potential they have.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135/4968685?m=5c768c22&ref=mf

So very grateful,

Kari

Friday, October 30 at 1:00

2009-10-29T21:09:00.004-06:00

The next daily challenge starts Friday the 30th at 1:00. As I type this, I'm both excited about what we have accomplished and hopeful that we will reach our goal of raising $10,000. In the next 8 days, we have the opportunity to raise an additional $2,700 for the children of Humble Hearts; children like Yvonne.

Yvonne is in nursery class, is learning sign language and knows her letters and numbers. She loves to sing, dance, and is wonderful at crafts. Yvonne is very creative and loves to draw the traffic police and other things she sees on the street. Yvonne is always careful to be sure her hair is braided in beautiful straight lines because she believes girls should have long hair, so it makes sense that she's interested in pursuing a career in design.

The past 2 days, Denver has been very cold and snowy. With more than 20" of snow at my house, I've looked outside many time thinking about how lucky we are to be able to sit in a nice warm house, and have warm beds at the end of the day. And, I'm grateful beyond words that because of your generosity, the children of Angel Cottage will have new warm beds too.

As we all get ready for Halloween this year, please consider purchasing 1 less bag of candy, or one less wig and donation $10 instead. Throughout this challenge, we have asked a lot of our supporters. We've asked you not only to donate, but to ask others to do the same. Now I'm asking you be as grateful and I am for everything we have and all we have been able to accomplish, and as you do that please consider continuing the fight for the kids and their future. Every single person who has donated is changing the lives of these children.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135/4968685?m=e56504ed

Always grateful,

Kari

It's time for us to get fired up!

2009-10-27T20:09:00.007-06:00

The America's Giving Challenge has been going on for 3 weeks now, and I for one needed to take a little time off from it....and no doubt so did all of our supporters. Everyone who knows me well knows that it's not easy for me to ask for help, especially on a daily basis. I want the children of Humble Hearts and Angel Cottage to have every chance in this world, but I'd prefer that everyone just find our website and be moved to help without having to say much. This isn't a very good marketing plan, nor is it very realistic.

So, instead I'm going to ask all of you to start calling friends, family members, and neighbors. At the start of this challenge, we set a goal to raise $10,000 for the children of Angel Cottage. Right now we are more than 2/3's of the way to that goal! Truly amazing.

Beds are being ordered, a fence will soon be built, sewing machines and other materials will soon be purchased....all of these things will be done because of the generosity of so many of you. Because of all of you, these great kids will have their own beds, will have a safe place to play, will learn a skill, and will have a new and bigger space to learn.

Please, let's all get fired up and finish the last 10 days of this challenge by spreading the word about these kids, their needs, and most of all their potential. We are so close to our goal! I know we can do this if we all continue to work together.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135/4968685?m=e56504ed

Kari

Friday, October 23 at 1:00pm MST

2009-10-22T21:09:00.007-06:00

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 AT 1:00 MST

Joel and his mom came to Humble Hearts yesterday looking for a school for Joel. He is 4 years old, deaf, and lives with his mom who is barely able to afford her rent and food for the two of them. Because the new Angel Cottage is almost completed and so many people have come together to help us in the America's Giving Challenge, Joel's mother was told he could move into Angel Cottage in January and begin attending school.

During the past two weeks of the Giving Challenge, I've been talking about giving the children of Angel Cottage a home, and all of the things children deserve in their home...loving care-givers, their own beds, books, space to play. But, Joel has reminded me that this challenge is about so much more.

This challenge is all about giving these children a chance at a life that is completely different than they were born into. Because people around the world have come together to build Angel Cottage and put everything in it the children need, Joel will learn a language. Joel will learn math. He'll learn to read. Most importantly, Joel will learn he is capable. He'll start dreaming of a future that doesn't include wondering where his next meal is coming from or if his tin shack is going to leak during the rainy season.

Friday, October 23 at 1:00 starts the next daily challenge. Because of so many people, Angel Covers has won $500 in this challenge twice. Please help us this Friday by donating and asking others to do the same. This challenge isn't about beds and tables. It's about hope and dreams...it's about futures. http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135

Continuously grateful,

Kari

Angel Cottage is almost completed!

2009-10-21T21:21:00.006-06:00

Months ago we started selling bricks to raise money for the construction the new Angel Cottage. For just $10 per word, donors purchased the opportunity to have their names or a short message carved into the bricks of Angel Cottage. These names were going to be carved into the bricks in the dinning room so the children of Angel Cottage would always see their inspirational messages and names of those who want them to succeed.

I received word today that construction workers are ready to start carving bricks! This is wonderful news because it means construction is very close to being finished. Each and every donor will soon be getting a picture of his/her brick. The children who move into Angel Cottage on Nov. 1 will see these wonderful messages and names as soon as they walk into the dinning room, and will be inspired to reach for the stars.

Because of our amazing supporters through the Giving Challenge, $5,000 of the money raised to make this house a home will be going to Humble Hearts this week. This money will be used to purchase additional beds, wardrobes, sewing equipment to learn a trade, and tables. We will be working hard to be sure these items are at Angel Cottage as soon as the children move in. Because of all of you, very soon these children will not have to share a bed, and for the first time will have tables for dining and studying.

On Friday, October 23 at 1:00 MST Angel Covers will be working to win the $1,000 daily bonus. Please continue to spread the word about the Giving Challenge! The children of Angel Cottage have hope because of all of you. http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135

So very grateful,

Kari

Let's keep fighting for the kids!

2009-10-20T21:20:00.006-06:00

We have taken a couple of days off from talking about the Giving Challenge, but we are no less committed to providing for the deaf children of Humble Hearts. Since the challenge started almost 2 weeks ago, we have raised more than $6,700. Hundreds of people have donated to provide beds, tables, blackboards, desks, books, wardrobes, and other items all kids deserve to have in their home.

Children such as 11 year old Cynthia, who was born deaf and not allowed to attend school because her mother worked nights and slept during the day. She was allowed roam through the slums with no supervision and little food. When Cynthia first came to Humble Hearts at the age of 7, she not only began attending school, but she had a safe home for the first time in her life. For the first time, she knew she would be fed each and every day.

It's for kids like Cynthia that we took on the exhausting challenge. All of us know that working to spread the word about the daily challenges and finding new donors in order to move up in the overall challenge is not only exhausting, but also exciting, humbling, and completely overwhelming.

The children who live at Angel Covers face even bigger challenge each and every day. Please continue to spread the word about this challenge. Each and every one of us are able to take on the Giving Challenge and reduce the challenges faced by Cynthia and others.

http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135

So very grateful,

Kari

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

2009-10-17T22:08:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to thank you all so much for your help in the past 10 days! All of your support lead us to win 2nd place today and $500 for the kids of Angel Cottage. In the past 10 days, we have won $500 twice and raised more than $6,600!! With the matching donation, we have over $9,900!! This money will be used to purchase the following items....

A concrete "fence" for the enclosed play area...$4,840
10 New bunk beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, and pillows....$3,000
One new stove....$1,600
Sewing machines and supplies...$250

Without everyone's help, the children of Angel Cottage would still not have a bed to themselves, they would not have a safe place to play, they would not be able to learn a trade like sewing, and the house mom's would have to cook on a tiny stove.

Everyone who donated and/or passed the information on to others helped us win $500 today. More than that, all of you helped the children of Angel Cottage win a life they could only dream of. You should all be so proud!!

Grateful beyond words,
Kari

1:00 MST on Saturday

2009-10-16T22:18:00.005-06:00

1:00 MST, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Veronica needs your help. She is 9 years old and lost her hearing after being severely burned when she was 2. Her parents found Humble Hearts in 2005 and were thrilled. They never thought she would be able to attend school. Now she lives at Angel Cottage and is a wonderful student.

Please donate $10 by Saturday at 1:00 MST and help us win the daily award of $1,000. We are so close to first place! Your donation and this bonus will be matched by 50%, so it will help even more. We have raised more than $5,100 for these kids who never would have had a chance to learn and thrive without your help. Your donation will help Veronica and so many like her have the childhood we all want for our own children.

Just go to http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135 to donate $10 and pass this link on to as many people as possible. Call your friends, families and neighbors. I promise you I have. We are only 8 donations out of first place. I know that by working together we can make this happen for Veronica and her friends!!

Always grateful,

Kari

Friday, October 16 at 1:00pm MST

2009-10-15T21:17:00.005-06:00

Friday, October 16 at 1:00pm, MST

We need your help tomorrow! Angel Covers is going to try for the daily bonus from 1:00 MST on Friday to 1:00 MST on Saturday. In order to win the $1,000 bonus we need everyone to donate $10 and ask your friends and family to do the same. Just go to http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135&recruiter_id=4968685 and help us have the most donors on Saturday.

Every single dollar donated will be matched by 50%. Grace, Kennedy, Douglas, Cynthia, Jane, Peter, Christopher, Emily, Nelly, and Askin....these are just a few of the kids who live at Angel Cottage. These are just a few of the kids who would never have received an education without the help of people around the world. I believe with all my heart that these children have huge potential...the potential to change their lives and the lives of others. But in order to do that, they must have our help.

Please go to http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=16135&recruiter_id=4968685 and donate $10 tomorrow. And please, ask as many people as possible to do the same. We not only need to win this daily challenge, but we need to move up from 10th place overall to the top 7.

The America's Giving Challenge isn't over for another 3 weeks. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of perseverance to win more daily challenges and finish in the top 7. But, I know that if we work together, we'll make this happen....for the kids.

Kari

Changing lives already

2009-10-14T12:13:00.005-06:00

In the week since the America's Giving Challenge started, Angel Covers supporters have donated more than $4,100. Amazing! Because all of these donations are being matched by 50%, more than $6,150 is available to the children living at Angel Cottage.

Christine now lives at Angel Cottage and attends Humble Hearts. She is 8 years old and lost her hearing after contracting meningitis at the age of 3. None of her family members know sign language, and she was placed in a school for hearing children because her single mother couldn't afford a special school. Christine is now sharing a bed with 2 other girls, has no play area, no electricity, and must bail water from the floor when it rains.

A new, much more spacious, Angel Cottage will be completed and ready for the children to move in on Nov. 1. It will have electricity, running water, plenty of room to run and play, and a large dining room. Because of your donations through this challenge, kids like Christine will have a safe, fenced in play area and will now have a bed all their own.

Please ask everyone you know to give just $10 to this challenge. Kids like Christine deserve to live in a safe, loving home with room to play and study. Tables, chairs, book shelves, blackboards, and desks are all still needed to give these kids the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Friday, Nov. 16 at 1pm MST we will be launching our next daily challenge attempt. If we have the most donations by 1pm MST on Saturday we will win another $1,000 for these kids. We must work together to get more and more people donating $10 in order to make these kids dreams come true. Please help! http://apps.facebook.com/causes/16135

Grateful always.

Kari

2009-10-12T20:40:00.003-06:00

"It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act."-- His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, Fourteenth Dalai Lama, 1992

A friend sent me this quote today and I just love it. I've been told many times by many different people that they don't donate to Angel Covers because they feel like they wouldn't be able to give enough to make a difference. I certainly understand the concern, but I think the America's Giving Challenge is a perfect example of how every single dollar, every single donation, make a HUGE different.

In the past week, Angel Covers has been asking you to spread the world about this challenge and together we have raised more than $3,500. Most of this has been raised through $10 donations! $10...the cost of a pizza, going out to lunch with a friend, or some Halloween candy. This $3,500 is being matched by 50% and will then become $5,250. Through $10 donations, a new fence can be built so deaf children like Samson, Jane, Michael, Stephen, and so many others can have a safe outside area to play in. New beds will also be purchases so these children no longer have to sleep cramped with other children in their bed.

For the cost of a couple of cups of coffee, we are changing the lives of deaf children; letting them know that they deserve the same opportunities and living conditions our children have.

Angel Covers is working hard to win the next daily challenge of $1,000. It's a very tight race between 3 organizations right now and we are in 3rd place. Please, even if you have already donated $10, consider donating $10 and helping us change the world.

Truly, $10 is changing lives.

Grateful always.
Kari Fillmore