There is a seasonal rhythm to life at Change the Truth. Summer is the annual Friendraiser/Fundraiser and follow-up. Fall means getting ready for the next volunteer trip to the orphanage. Winter is all about that trip. Spring is spent preparing for the next fundraiser. Running alongside all these things is the constant flow of raising funds and awareness, staying on top of things at the orphanage and keeping in touch with the very generous and big-hearted people who continue to cheer this project on – YOU!
It’s high time I bring you up to date on what’s been happening lately.
*The 2009 annual event netted slightly more than the previous year, and that is because everyone stepped up to the plate: the incredible committee of volunteers, as well as CTT friends who made it a point to attend. Net proceeds totaled approximately $35,000. This will enable us to continue our commitment to providing food, education and medical care to the children at St. Mary Kevin’s. THANK YOU! Given the current state of the economy and how that has affected philanthropic giving, I think we did quite well.
*Many people were out of town or had other commitments on the night of June 11th. Therefore, we are having another screening of Lynne Melcher’s movie, “Changing the Truth.” It will take place on Thursday, October 1st, at the Screenland Theatre in Kansas City at 7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. Please tell your friends and family. Even if you have seen this powerful and informative thirty-minute documentary, come see it again!
*Speaking of “Changing the Truth”… It was entered in the “Filmanthropy Film Festival” and was one of six short films accepted! The festival will take place in LA on September 18th and will provide a great opportunity for us to spread the word about the work we are doing. Congratulations to Lynne for this well deserved honor.
*A supporter of CTT has offered to host a Friendraiser/Fundraiser in San Diego in September. If you live in the area, or have family or friends there, please let me know so that I can make sure you/they get an invitation.
*Six people have signed up to go to Uganda as part of the “Team 3” volunteer trip. Four others are getting closer to deciding if they’ll be able to. If you would like to consider going, I can send you the information and place you on the waiting list. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested. It’s a life-changing trip, as all who have gone before will tell you. The dates for the trip are December 19th – 29th.
*December also brings the fun and exciting CTT shopping night at Ten Thousand Villages. This is a great way for you to get your holiday gift buying done at an amazing store and still manage to help the kids at the orphanage. 10% of all purchases made between 4 PM and 8 PM on Thursday, December 10th will go to CTT. This will be our third year participating in the program. Ten Thousand Villages loves having us. They say we have the nicest supporters, and we also generate more sales than any other group!
*The children at SMK are doing very well. The twenty-three sponsored secondary school students are working hard and are always sending me notes expressing their gratitude. Douglas, our nursing school student, couldn’t be happier with his studies and his work on the hospital ward! He is going to make us all very proud one of these days when he becomes a nurse and begins to give back in a way he never could have imagined. Rosemary, director of SMK, writes me to tell me the children are happier, healthier and more hopeful because of us. CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
*Don’t forget that you can shop for CTT items any time of the year. The “store” is chock full of beautiful beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets, as well as tie-dyed fabrics, fabric bags, artwork and plates by the kids, CTT t-shirts and tote bags, and the book Kutuuka, which features my photographs from Uganda and artwork by the children. You can shop online at the website or contact me.
*Speaking of Kutuuka, don’t forget these important reasons why you might want to get a copy: 1. Ann Thomas, member of CTT Team 2, wrote one of the essays. 2. The artwork by the kids is fantastic. 3. The hardcover copies are almost sold out. 4. Because this project was underwritten by a CTT friend, EVERY PENNY OF THE PURCHASE PRICE GOES TO HELP THE CHILDREN AT THE ORPHANAGE!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this and for continuing to care about the precious children at SMK. They thank you each and every day. Even though you can’t hear them, please allow their very sincere gratitude to fill your heart.
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