Give A Little Bit This Christmas

First and foremost- I want to announce the giveaway winner.  Thanks to all those who entered, and keep tuned because I’m planning another giveaway pretty soon!

The winner is *Gwen Geigley*

Christmas is a great time to give as we remember the Gift that was given to us.  So I want to share one of my favorite charities- Christian Aid Ministries (also known as C.A.M.).  Christian Aid Ministries has many great year-round programs to support.  I give to their “Support An Orphan” fund, and the Daughters of Zion Girls’ Choir raises funds for the “Project Baby Moses” project.  (Plus, I like to buy through AmazonSmile to support C.A.M. as well.  That counts, right?;)  But Christian Aid Ministries also has bundles and kits that you can put together.  This is great for individuals, families, sunday schools, churches, and even schools to do as a group effort.  My Dad’s family is doing the clothing bundles (which is the last bundle/kit described in this post), and I had a lot of fun shopping and putting bundles together for two little boys and three little girls in other countries who will be quite happy for their new clothing.    Don’t you love buying kids’ clothing?!

I copied down the information for Christian Aid Ministries’ bundles/kits; so have fun deciding which one you will do this Christmas!

For more information, you can visit https://www.christianaidministries.org/

Hygiene Kits

Hygiene kits are shipped to Nicaragua, Liberia, Haiti, Romania, Ukraine, and other countries.

• 1 bar of soap*
• 1 tube toothpaste*
• 1 toothbrush
• 2 washcloths
• 1 bath towel
• 1 bottle of shampoo* (place in a plastic bag to prevent leakage)
• 1 container of deodorant* (roll-on or stick, no aerosol spray)
• 1 comb
• 1 nail clipper with file
• 1 large handkerchief

*If these items have an expiration date, it must be at least 1 year in advance.

Instructions for Hygiene Kits

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed above. All kit items must be new. Wrap items in the bath towel and fasten firmly with safety pins or tie together with ribbon. Kits may be delivered to any CAM location or shipped to our PA warehouse:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522

You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

Classroom kits

• 1 pencil sharpener (hand crank, metal shaving canister)
• 1 chalk eraser (soft, felt)
• 15 boxes white chalk (dustless)
• 1 box colored chalk
• 1 solar calculator
• 1 sturdy bag (drawstring, 15″ x 15″)

Put all the items in the drawstring bag. Please pull strings tightly to prevent items from falling out.

Instructions for Classroom kits

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed above. All items must be new. Put all the kits in a large box or bag and write the kit name and quantity on top. They can be dropped off at any CAM location or shipped to our warehouse in PA:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522

You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

School kits

• 4 spiral notebooks (8″ x 11″ with approx. 75 pages)
• 1 sturdy metric ruler (12″)
• 6 unsharpened pencils
• 1 pencil eraser (not pencil top, but similar to Pink Pearl™)
• 2 blue or black ink pens
• 1 pack of crayons or colored pencils
• 1 comb or toothbrush
• 1 drawstring bag (10″ x 15″)

Put all the items in a drawstring or similar bag. Please pull strings tightly to prevent items from falling out.

Instructions for School Kits

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed above. All items must be new. Put all the kits in a large box or bag and write the kit name and quantity on top. They can be dropped off at any CAM location or shipped to our warehouse in PA:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522

You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

Student Kit

• 9 pens (blue ink, medium, stick, BIC™ or Papermate™)
• 7 wooden #2 pencils
• 1 Pink Pearl™ eraser
• 1 wooden, inch/metric ruler (12″)
• 1 pack of 8 crayons
• 1 sturdy handmade backpack (To make these backpacks, see instructions at the end of the page)

Put all the items in the backpack.

Instructions for Student Kits

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed. All items must be new. Put all the kits in a large box or bag and write the kit name and quantity on top. They can be dropped off at any CAM location or shipped to our warehouse in PA:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522

You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

Student Kit Backpack Instructions:

Materials Needed

• fabric for backpack—35″ long x 14″ wide (strong fabric, denim or similar)
• 2—4″ square pieces of fabric
• 2 straps for backpack—each 23½” long x 1½” wide (same fabric as bag, or nylon webbing) strap reinforcement strip—2¾” x 1½”
• 2 drawstrings, 30″ each (cording can be used; burn ends to avoid fraying)

If you have access to a commercial sewing machine, nylon or polyester canvas fabric can be used.

Instructions for sewing Student Kit backpack

1. Serge or zigzag all edges of fabric. Fold in side seams ½” at tops. (see #1)
2. Fold 1″ of fabric at tops and sew top seams, allowing ¾” sleeves for drawstrings. With one top seam, sew strap reinforcement strip at the middle of inside of bag (see #2). Catch edge in top seam.
3. Prepare triangles that hold straps at sides. Fold the 4 1/8″ square pieces of fabric once (wrong side out) into triangles. Position the strap inside the triangle with end at the arrow and sew across the middle (see #3). Fold fabric away from long end of strap.
4. Pin 1″ deep folds at bottom of side seams (see #4a); add triangles with straps (catch corners of straps in side seam—see #4b) above 1″ folds, then sew sides (½” seams) up to 2¼” close to top.
5. Sew top ends of straps onto bag near top of bag (see #5) where the reinforcement strip is inside.
6. Insert drawstrings (see #6) and knot ends, one on side and the other on opposite end.

Diagrams

#1 fold 4 corners in ½

Go to Backpack Instructions

#2 inside strap reinforcement strip

Go to Backpack Instructions

#3 triangles that hold straps at sides

Go to Backpack Instructions

#4a side seam fold

Go to Backpack Instructions

#4b strap corners (inside of bag)

Go to Backpack Instructions

#5 top outside strap attachment

Go to Backpack Instructions

#6 drawstrings

Go to Backpack Instructions

Finished product

 

 

Teacher Kit

• 2 soccer balls (deflated for shipping)
• 1 hand pump with needle
• 1 sturdy desktop stapler
• 1 box staples (5,000+ count)
• 1 staple remover

Put all the items in a large shoebox or plastic container. Do not tape it closed; simply secure lid with a rubber band.

Instructions for Teacher Kit

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed. All items must be new. Put all the kits in a large box or bag and write the kit name and quantity on top. They can be dropped off at any CAM location or shipped to our warehouse in PA:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522  You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

Layette Bundles

Items MUST be new!

• 1 receiving blanket (suggested size:32” x 38”)
• 1 heavier blanket (suggested size:36” x 38”)
• 6 diapers (absorbent 100% cotton or flannel, long preferred—not pre-folded or square; suggested sizes:18” x 36” or 21” x 36”)
• 2 sleepers (1 small & 1 medium)
• 2 rubber panties
• 2 undershirts or onesies
• 2 pairs socks or booties
• 1 baby cap
• 4 diaper pins
• Wrap all the items in one of the blankets and fasten the blanket with diaper pins or tie it together with ribbon. You may label the bundles ‘boy’ or ‘girl’. Your layette bundles will be distributed to mothers in Liberia, Nicaragua, Haiti, Romania, Ukraine, and other countries.

Instructions for Layette Bundles

Because of customs declarations, please include only the items listed. All items must be new. Put all the kits in a large box or bag and write the kit name and quantity on top. They can be dropped off at any CAM location or shipped to our warehouse in PA:

Attn: Shipping Department • 2412 Division Highway • Ephrata, PA 17522  You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.

Assemble a pack of brand-new clothes

New Clothing for a child (pack a,b,c,d)

For various countries

While used clothing meets many needs around the world, there are some articles of clothing that are impractical or imprudent to send if they have already been used. This includes both underclothes and other clothing for fast growing boys and girls. In an effort to encourage dignity and modesty, we have prepared several options to meet this specific need. Here is your opportunity to bring a smile to an impoverished child!

New Clothing for a Toddler (pack e,f)

For Romania and Moldova

For many years due to customs restrictions CAM has not been able to send used clothing for toddlers to Romania and Moldova. We are, however, able to send new clothes. If you would like to help struggling parents clothe their little ones, see Pack E or Pack F for a list of items to send.

Pack A

for children in various countries

Boys (ages 11-16)

• 1 pair trousers
• 1 shirt with collar
• 2 briefs
• 2 pair socks

Pack A

---

Pack B

for children in various countries

Girls (ages 11-16)

• 1 dress
• 2 panties
• 2 bras
• 2 pair socks (black or white school socks)

Pack B

---

Pack C

for children in various countries

Boys (ages 5-10)

• 1 pair trousers
• 1 shirt with collar
• 2 briefs
• 2 pair socks

Pack C

---

Pack D

for children in various countries

Girls (ages 5-10)

• 1 dress
• 2 panties
• 2 pair socks (black or white school socks)

pack d

---

Pack E

for toddlers in Romania and Moldova

Boys (ages 1-3)

• 1 pair trousers
• 1 shirt with collar
• 2 undershirts or onesies
• 2 diapers
• 2 pair socks

Pack E

---

Pack F

for toddlers in Romania and Moldova

Girls (ages 1-3)

• 1 dress
• 2 undershirts or onesies
• 2 diapers
• 2 pair socks

Pack F

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Instructions

Request one labeled bag from the CAM home office for each clothing package that you wish to send. Write to Christian Aid Ministries, P.O. Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610 or call 330.893.2428.

You can also send $2.50 for each kit you donate if you wish to cover the cost of shipping.