August 2009

Letter in the mail: I was so pleased to receive a donation and this letter from a small school in Marty Minnesota. I've lived in Central Minnesota all my life, and haven't heard of this town. They read the story in the St. Cloud Times and decided to raise money as a school. We are so grateful to them... and what they are doing for the children! Thank you very much. My hope is to visit the school and thank them each in person. It is so true, that we can't do it all, but we can all do something!

Fast N Furious Live Auction: September 10, 2009: I am planning a follow up gathering to last year's wine tasting in order to update supporters on our progress and we hope to raise some additional funds to fund our first project this year. Please join us for a great time! Get involved in some way, host an event, match what we raise, invite us to speak at your place of worship or business.

Help Along the Way!

I want you to all meet a couple of very important people. First of all, I want to introduce Colleen Leyk. She has organized a Prayer Team. These wonderful supporters, one being her mom, help us by praying for our needs and those of the children. We always see results when they are on the job! Thank you Colleen and Company!

Also, Jason Orth, a new acquaintance of mine through Twitter. He started following me because of his heart to do something good in the world for the orphans. He has agreed to help us with our website. Thank you Jason!

Also... if you want to get some copies of our latest handout of project profiles, please email me.

July 2009: First of all, Thank you everyone for your heart for the orphans of the world.

I am about to send our most recent update via emai l. So, I will not repeat what is in there. But I do want to tell everyone about the Shelter and Care Benefit at Freds. I was able to attend and share the story of how Fred and I came up with the idea to help build projects worldwide. He reminded me that he said he'd like to build 200 orphanages around the world. I looked up the URL online and it was available...thus the name 200orphanagesworldwide. So many of Fred's colleagues were touched by his work. One of his good friends is going to help us organize a fund raiser in Washington state. So now I have a committed core group in Washington to help us have our first event.

So, it seems every time we tell the story, the story of how there are organizations and individuals out there helping the orphans have better lives day by day, and that all we want to do is help them help them! People want to reach out and help and it warms my heart.

I am still working toward organizing 5 fund raisers this year. But, I can't do this alone, nor would that be any fun at all! But, with ony 5 more months left of 2009, I have to get cracking! It leaves very little time with the Vision Trip to plan large events. We may not do large fund raisers until next year, but will be happy with some small ones to build our base. More on that in the next few months! So if you can help me, email me please.

We keep moving forward in our attempts to raise funds for one project by year end. As a new work, in almost the worst time in history to start a nonprofit, we are encouraged. Most people want to do whatever they can to help when they hear about what suffering the children in the world are experiencing. I hear from many of the people across the world helping the AIDs babies and children, and I am once again energized to do whatever I can to help. I know others are too.

Tanzania UPDATE: Dr. Adili Seushi and his staff have been volunteering at Mburahati Orphanage Center, Dar es Salaam to provide medical care for HIV/AIDS orphans. This is a report mostly in his words:

We brought a group of staff members and volunteers to test and treat children in the orphanages. Our heart was really set on doing this even without funding. All the doctors and nurses whom I contacted about going to the orphanage center to treat the orphans agreed to go, even on foot. None asked to be paid, nor did they even bother to eat. So, on June the 20th the group of dedicated medical personnel went to Mburahati Orphanage Center, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with about 100 orphans to test, treat and educate orphans. This was very fulfilling work for all of us.

Fred Cornforth and his great staff at CDI in Idaho are hosting a Shelter and Care fund raiser in conjunction with an annualevent they sponsor at the local fair. It's exciting because Fred, as co-founder of this nonprofit has been wanting to do something significant for this work since we started. He's excited for the people in his community to learn about this work...and so are we!

We have a new board member who is inspired to do whatever he can to help us with our cause. Arthur Nielsen practices in St. Cloud, Minnesota with Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Estate Planning practice group. Arthur counsels individuals and families about trust formation and administration, intergenerational wealth transfers, transfer tax planning, business succession, charitable giving and probate. He advises entrepreneurs and family business owners about the complex tax, governance and interfamily issues involved in business succession. Prior to joining Leonard, Street and Deinard, Arthur practiced at national law firms based in Minneapolis, New York City and Silicon Valley and has counseled business clients in a wide variety of matters including initial formation, venture and later-stage financing, and strategic transactions.

More Help Please! We are looking for volunteer Fund Raising Directors who can help organize at least 2 fund raisers a year and raise about $5,000. This is a lofty goal, but many people are qualified to do this and inspired too.

I am so excited to tell you all about the results of our Informational Gatherings around the country and our goals for the rest of the year.

My intent with the information gatherings is to begin to build a network of individuals who would be moved to help raise funds. Each gathering, Minnesota, Arizona and Seattle has resulted in great connections and I feel we are making strides in establishing a solid base. My goal for the remainder of the year is to organize 5 major fund raisers to raise at least $20,000 and fund at least one project by year end. Please I NEED YOUR HELP!

RESULTS of THE Gatherings: The event in Arizona resulted in my long-time friend Jean Herges planning a similar gathering with people who can eventually help raise funds. I also was introduced by Andrew Day, with Daylite Films to a local Arizona celebrity Karen LaVorgna, who was so touched by our cause, she is going to help with a fund raiser in October. She has so many great ideas and is going to be a wonderful long-term asset to our overall fund raising efforts! A side note on Karen: The first thing she wanted me to do after our introduction was get a package of information to Oprah. So I did. Anyone have her home number? Give her a call and ask her to have me on her show! I'm serious.

Also, while in Arizona, I was invited to attend a fund raising luncheon for Friends of Orphans. Gary Crow, an attendee at our Sushi Sampling, introduced me to the Executive Director Deacon James Hoyt. James and I met and he shared his expertise on fund raising, as they are the fund raising arm for about 9 orphanages in Mexico and other Central America and Carribean countries. The time with Deacon Hoyt was invaluable. I gleaned much from his expertise and will put it to good use. Their organization is wonderful and a great encouragement to me.

House to House Events: Judi Rabideau, a long time friend and former co-worker is helping me with administrative duties and data entry for mailings. She's also agreed to assist with organizing house to house events. So, if you want to have a house to house event, please email me or call me 320-217-4944.

Seattle: MaryLyn Holgrafer, our NW Fund Raising Director is going to organize a fund raiser in November. We are in the early stages of discussions.

Boise, Idaho: Fred Cornforth, co founder and Chairman of the board is planning a fund raising event in Boise in July. So that makes 3 fundraisers in the early stages.

Minnesota: I would like to have two more fund raisers, one in Minnesota. Anyone interested in organizing an event? Please email or call me.

As part of the fund raising efforts, at Fred Cornforth's encouragement, I have been creating project profiles and fund raising strategies around individual project needs. Kitzo Orphanage in Kenya provided me with an update and a breakdown of their need. They shared that they are working with the Lion's Club in their community to build their project. That inspired me to connect with the local Lion's Club to see if they would partner with the African Lion's group and help raise funds for the building project.

Also, we had a blog on a philanthropic travel site.

Facebook: Also, we now have 101 members who joined our cause on Facebook. I hope to engage and mobilize the members to action in some way....any ideas?

Here are a few more ways you can help:

~ Agree to organize a fund raiser of any kind to raise $1,000 to shelter an orphan
~ Ask your company if they would sponsor you or even match what you raise.
~ If you and 10 others would donate $10 a month for 10 months, you would provide housing for one orphan.
~ Volunteer to help with administrative duties such data entry, web updates, mailings and phone calls.
~ Invite me to speak at your service group or company
~ Put a message in your newsletter direcing people to our website.
~ Put our link on your website
~ Ask your patrons if they would round up on their invoices to help build a project for the orphans

Please I NEED YOUR HELP! Remember, it's for the Children!


The Sushi Sampling in Scottsdale laid a great foundation of information. We had about 20 in attendance and many were excited to hear about the nonprofit goals. It was a great forum and people expressed excitement in helping some way. I will keep everyone posted on the fruit that is produced by this event.

See the Kids and their new home at New Life Mercy Homes in India

Please view this uplifting video I just received from Raju George with New Life Mercy Homes. Do what you can to help them help them.
You can donate through 200 Orphanages Worldwide to help them with their building. Please know that 100% of your donation will go to
New Life Mercy Homes...For the Children! You can contact them directly from their website to volunteer or help with other needs.

The New Life Mercy Homes Web Site

Scottsdale Sushi Sampling Update

I've been working hard trying to get the word out on our efforts to raise funds in earnest. I am building a network of supporters in Scottsdale and many will come to our meeting on Monday.

I am also trying to organize other events for fundraising. If anyone has ideas, email me and we will make them happen. Together we can do it! Remember, we can't do it all, but we can all do something! I have found a coordinator to help coordinate house to house parties in the Southwest. She lives in Scottsdale and she has agreed to have an event and coordinate others. Another attendee has agreed to help fundraise. It's going to take a lot to get these projects funded. So everyone is needed with ideas and hands on efforts!

Upcoming Event:RSVP Here!

Gold's Gym Charity 6K Update:

February 21, 2009

1st Annual Gold's Gym Charity 6K
I want to update everyone on the 1st Annual Charity 6K organized by Lori Fuchs and Rusty Deters at Gold’s Gym Sartell Minnesota. The day was cold (10 degrees (F) with a below zero wind chill) and we had a snow storm the night before. In spite of that, about 75 people attended, most of them serious runners and everyone looked excited to be there! Or maybe they were just cold! It was great, and times are posted at the gym for those who were timed.  And it was evident that all of those attending wanted to do something to support the children represented on our site.

Gold’s Gym did so much… They provided staff along the route… staff to help us stretch ahead of time, we had sponsors who provided hot chocolate and a one woman cheering section and still others provided refreshments after the event. Please acknowledge the sponsors and a big thank you to everyone.  

Gold’s Gym raised about $2,000 to be set aside for Child Survival Aid of Ghana as profiled on our website. We hope to have more events through this year and the funds will be added to that project. It all started with a vision. Lori was inspired to do whatever she could to help raise funds for the children in Ghana. Rusty caught the fire and they took the vision to Gold’s Gym and together they made things happen. We can’t do it all, but we can all do something! 
 
 Remember each $1,000 raised represents housing for at least one orphan. Every cent makes a difference in the lives of the children who have so little.  

Thank You Rusty and Lori, Gold’s Gym and all the sponsors! And of course all of the die hard runners who showed up in 10 degree weather!  And, if you can believe it… Rusty and Lori want to do this again in the Fall! So stay tuned! 
 If anyone else would like to organize an event to help, just let me know and we will help you get started.

There are Information Gatherings being planned for Idaho in July.

I recently talked with Relindas Moffor about her recent trip to care for the HIV Kids in Cameroon.
There are other needs also that have come to my attention that I want to share. There will be more as we go.
Florianne just returned from Rwanda and is expecting to go again in April.

Volunteer Opportunity: A 3-week volunteer trip to Rwanda is being planned for April. Estimate cost of the trip will be $4,500 including airfare for individuals. Complete the volunteer form if you're interested.

We were featured on www.needmagazine.com/blog.

Updates: January 2009: Networking:

At a divine introduction at a coffee shop, I met Seth Eggessa, a financial advisor with Ameriprise. He's from Uganda and I told him about 200orphanagesworldwide. He has a heart to help Africans and invited me to a network gathering for non profits that serve Africa at his home. Among others, there were representatives from: Trinity Community Aid Network, Books for Africa, Microclinics Rodney A. Brown with Family Services of Lutheran Social Services, Dr. Paul R. Musherure, with Health Partners, who organizes trips to provide dental care to children with HIV. Also, Kizito Kalema, Edina Realty who is helping organize a national conference to help Uganda in Minneapolis and invited me to speak. This was a great meeting with many wonderful, big hearted people.

December 2008
Most of December was foundational, however some of the fruit of November's labors began to take root. As I was out of the country attending the birth of my 6th grandchild, I was in touch with those who attended our November events. There was work being done.
Charity 6K Walk/Run~ Lori Fuchs and her manager Rusty Deters at Gold's Gym in Sartell volunteered to sponsor the fundraising event February 21 to help raise funds for the Children Survival Aid in Ghana. Lori attended the Wine Tasting Event at my home and wanted to do something to help. This is her something! Thank you Lori, Rusty and Gold's Gym! Dig out your tennis shoes! I for one can't wait to run 6K in February for the kids in Ghana!Register today!

200 Club Pins~ I got word from April May Good Vanderlindin,who attended our November Informational Gathering Event that she purchased some lovely pins for 200orphanagesworldwide. These will be given to donors of $200 or more!!! Thank You April! This is her something!

November 2008
This was a great start in getting the word out about 200 Orphanages Worldwide. We had front page coverage in our local St. Cloud Times, which was picked up in the Minneapolis Star November 24 and then in the Fargo Forum Sunday November 25. I've been hearing from the readers and making more great contacts as a result. It's been a month of laying the groundwork and helping people understand our goals. I am so energized from all who hear about the cause. Everyone wants to help, it is obvious. After our first gathering, I followed up with attendees, one offered to send a flyer in his next business mailing. Another called to tell me he was going to help me raise $1,000, so I prepared a form to assist him in reaching out to his friends to donate to the cause.

We created a cause on Facebook and have 53 members in just a week or so. I expect it to grow exponentially.

I am pleased to announce I will be hosting our first Informational Gathering--just the beginning of many to come--organized for the purpose of getting the word out to supporters, advocates and friends of 200orphanagesworldwide. It is scheduled for November 13, 2008, 6:30 p.m. It will be a small intimate gathering with representatives from Nibakure Children's Village, MSAADA, Hope for Africa and Angel Of Mercy, all listed on the orphanage section of the website.

We are also sending our first fund raising mailing in just a few days of which I will follow up with a personal phone call to help people understand what we are trying to accomplish. I am hoping for a good response from recipients. It is the first of our solicitations.

New Association/Partnership: Networking with like minded organizations is key to our success and we have recently added MSAADA as an associate partner. Director Poul Bertleson and I met together to discuss strategy and decided that we would work together on fund raising as we have much in common. You will soon see an additional page listing their critical projects for giving opportunities.

September and October

Milestones: We recieved our non profit status in late July and had our first board meeting in late September. I had occasion to travel to Caldwell Idaho to meet with Fred Cornforth, our board chairman. Jesse telecomuted from Minnesota and we had a productive discussion. Fred is as ever generous with his staff in helping us build a base of supporters. Stay tuned for fundraising updates.

Meeting With Orphanage Representatives: In early September, I met with representatives Floriane Robins-Brown and John Kremer with the Nibakure Children's Village and Sandy Peterson with Hope for Africa International to exchange ideas for fund raising. Each have new developments and projects so make sure to go to their web sites and follow the progress.

We are entering Phase One of our fundraising efforts and it is my sincere desire to raise awareness with my contacts all across the nation and raise funds for the projects on the site. It's been a busy September and very productive as well.