MAKING A DIFFERENCE

By: Galina M.

Hi, my name is Galine M. and for my 10th Adoption Day I wanted to do something special besides just celebrating so I decided to give back to the orphanage that took such good care of me.  What I did was tell my girl scout troop to help get the news around that I was collecting socks, binkies, and gloves for my 10th adoption Day.  The result was plenty of the materials I asked for.  I learned that I can give back a lot with using a little of time.  If I could go back in time I would definitely do the same thing!

Galina M.

From Pyatigorsk, Russia 1998

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SWAF would like to Thank Alex R., adopted from Russia in 1997 for his cash donation to the orphans.  Alex donates annually to the orphans and has also donated his time at SWAF events.

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Joanne, Rob, Jake, Natalie and

Ascension Luther Church

Donation Drive

Another SWAF family has blessed us with donations from their recent donation drive for the orphans.  Joanne and Rob along with their children Jake and Natalie from Russia and their church, Ascension Lutheran Church gathered donations for the orphans. This amazing family and their church have been helping the orphans for the past 12 years.  Some of the items donated are 148 pair of children/infant socks; 119 pair of boys/girls underwear; 74 boys/girls undershirts; 12 handmade knitted sweaters; 52 sleepers/onsies; 15 hats/gloves and 20 boxes of liquid Motrin/Tylenol and Chewables.  The staff members at Ascension Lutheran Church donated $105.00 instead of purchasing Christmas gifts for each other. It is through the generosity and kindess of these families that the orphans will have warm clothing and clean clothing and medicine for when they are feeling under the weather.

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SWAF would like to thank another one of our long-time devoted families who had a Holiday Party and requested that each guest bring items for the orphans.  The guests more than obliged and as a result, SWAF will be able to deliver many socks, tooth brushes, toothpaste, onsies and clothing to the orphans. 

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SWAF would like to thank Sam Harrison, adopted from Russia for his continued support to the orphans.  Sam has had garage sales, sold donuts and donated his own allowance for the orphans.  Sam is a young boy who knows the meaning of giving. 

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SWAF would like to thank the Florida Knitters who over many years have knitted thousands of mittens, sweaters, hats and socks for the oprhans.  Many, many orphans have benefitted from their generosity.  We are not only blessed for our Florida Knitters but the group has expaned to several other countries throughout the world.  Thank you for keeping our orphans warm.

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SWAF Thanks Each and Every One of You for your Continued Support

When Small World was formed in 1992 to provide relief to the orphans in Eastern Europe was the priority. After the adoption program began in 1993, it was necessary for the Foundation to earmark a large portion of available funds for building and sustaining the adoption programs. Beginning in 1996, the Foundation was able to provide more substantial financial relief to the orphanages from which SWAF families adopt. But there was much more to be done and it couldn't all be achieved through client fees, donations, and memorials.

In 1999, another group of dedicated adoptive parents formed a group to organize the "Links of Hope Golf Tournament" every year. The funds from the golf tournament have purchased windows in Belarus and Russia, industrial washing and drying machines, food and clothing. Through the work of the golf committee an idea was born to organize a team of people who will go to the orphanages to hold, rock, feed, and sing to the children. A pilot program in Saratov, Russia was organized through the dedication of Small World parent.  A relationship was established with a church in Saratov and church members go weekly to the orphanage to provide additional nurturing to the children. Plans are in process to expand this project to all of the orphanages with which Small World has relationships.