Fundraising---Yipee!

For the trip we have been asked to consider raising money to build a playground at one of the orphanages that we will be visiting in northern Ethiopia.  I wanted to involve my kiddos as much as possible, so I asked Nat (6) and Gabe (8) what ideas they had to raise money.  Nat immediately said a bake sale!  My first reaction was great idea!  Then I realized that I have NEVER run a bake sale.  So, I called my good friend Kelly who is creative and full of ideas, and she said that she would love to help -- hooray!!! 

We held our first bake sale on Saturday morning at the soccer fields.  We had 15 people donate baked goods from cinnamon rolls, to homemade soft pretzels, coffee cake, cookies, muffins, cupcakes and coffee.  Everything was delicious and so appreciated.  Tons of people stopped by, and many donated extra money in addition to purchasing the baked goods.

Before the sale, I had hoped that we would raise $50-$75.  Well, I was completely blown away when we calculated the final amount.  Between 8:30am and 12:30pm we earned $296!!!  And to top that off, my friend Kelly sent her son around their neighborhood with the leftover baked goods and he has raised another $40!!  This community amazes me...and so do my friends!  I am truly blessed, and I hope that when the play structure is built that the kiddos at the orphanage feel all of the love that we are sending their way!

So, Gabe and I were brainstorming ideas that he would like to do to raise money for the playground when a friend suggested a Wii tournament.  Well, for those of you who don't know Gabe, he loves his Wii system, so this was right up his alley!  He is SUPER excited for the first Wii MarioKart Tournament!!  I spoke to the General Manager of a local restaurant (the Breakaway Cafe) and he offered to let us use their space for the tournament (have I mentioned how much I LOVE Chelsea?!!!!).  They have a Wii system already there, and we are planning to bring ours so that we can have several folks play at the same time.  Thankfully, Craig (hubby, BFF) has offered to head this up and is completely confident in his skills as a tournament coordinator!  Prizes will be awarded (as soon as we find some trophies!)!!!

So, if you are interested in coming, the details are:
When: Tuesday, May 10th
Time: 5:30-8pm
Where: Breakaway Cafe at the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea, MI
The Breakaway Cafe also offered to extend a 20% discount to all of those signed up for the tournament.  So, if you would like to register, and/or be eligible for the 20% discount, please e-mail an RSVP.  My e-mail is jenniferlmorr@gmail.com.

My other good friend Dee, is also helping to fundraise for the playground at our church.  She is also super creative (notice how I surround myself with very creative people?  This is due to the fact that I am anything BUT creative!) and she had the fabulous idea to have a bunch of balloons at church, and tied to each balloon would be a donation envelope for the playground.  When people approach us and inquire about the balloons, we can share with them what we're raising money for, and how they can help.  If they decide to take a balloon, our hope is that when they walk through church others will see it and want to know where it came from and how they can get one.  What an awesome idea, right!  We are also asking for new and gently used clothing, shoes and socks for both boys and girls ages 8-12.  If you have anything you would like to donate, please let me know and I can stop by and pick it up!

26 days before I leave...

Blessings,
Jen

First steps

Itinerary for Ethiopia Mission Trip

May 21

Depart for Washington DC

Meet with rest of team, and then depart for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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May 22

Arrive in Addis Ababa

Visit Hannah’s Hope Orphanage and do crafts with the children

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May 23

Flight to Mekele, Ethiopia to visit Lola Children’s Home

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May 24 - 27

Projects at Lola’s and salon project at Rachel’s Faith

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May 28

Flight back to Addis Ababa

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May 29

Depart for flight home

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May 30

Arrive home