A Met An Angel Yesterday, Actually Two

Last week, I spoke to my volunteer coordinator with GVN about specific needs that the orphanage might need in Kenya. The first on the list was underwear. Easy, I thought. I could buy a few packs and ask my mom friends to donate a pack.

Then something interesting happened this morning. I got an email from a cyber Mommy friend, with this message,

“I am getting married soon and thought that instead of doing favors I would rather take that money and use it to help a good cause. Well, what better cause than something you are working on.”

I was floored to say the least. This was the second Mom that has taken money out of her wedding fund to help me and these kids. I told her one thing, underwear. Within minutes, she told me that she was going to get her girlfriends together and start her own underwear drive. What an angel.

I loved it!

So here we go. I went to Gymboree to use a $54 credit to buy underwear for my trip. I walked in armed. My $54 credit,$20 I lifted from my Husbands wallet, and a 20% coupon. I told the salesperson what my plan was, I needed to buy as many pairs of underwear I could with $74.

There was beautiful, quiet woman roaming around the store shopping on her own. We talked briefly about my girls before I went back to the counter. While the salesperson, Jenn, and I were sifting through piles of underwear trying to locate the ones on sale, the lone woman came to purchase her goods. I asked her to go ahead of me because I knew I would be awhile. It must of looked odd to see two grown women looking through a large pile of underwear.

I told her the “short version” of the story… going to Africa, working in the orphanage, children not having underwear. To my amazement, this woman, this angel, named Cheryl, handed me all the cash in her wallet. It came to $19. She looked at me and said, “Here, now you can buy more.”

I was stunned.

I started to cry. She started to cry. Jenn started to cry. I was amazed. I hugged her and said, ” You don’t even know me, thank you so very much.”

Then she disappeared.

With her $19 combined with mine, I was able to walk out with 50 pairs of underwear. 50 pairs. That’s 50 kids. So easy. All because of this angel.

I am humbled.

I walked out of the store so happy. I called my partner, Julie, and told her what had just transpired. We were giggly we were so happy. Then it started. The storm.

Julie and I have the most amazing moments of brainstorming. After only a few minutes of volleying ideas, the Big Idea hit.

Underwear For Africa.

Our goal will be to collect as many new packs of children’s and young adults underwear (ages 3-15) to distribute them throughout Africa. Underwear For Africa.

Are you interested in joining this campaign? Please let us know.

Have your own drive. I’m thinking about holding my own drive at my kids elementary school. I need to have the idea passed through the principal, then the district.

Please let me know if you want to join our army and start your own drive. We can do great things if we work together and have the same goals in mind.

How do I know?

Because we are Mothers Fighting For Others.

 

Mothers Fighting For Others INC
27943 Seco Canyon RD # 533
Santa Clarita CA 91350

Comments

[Myla]

Hi Rocky,
I wanted to know what your deadline is for the Underwear Drive? I also wanted to ask your permission if I could put a link to your post called, "I Met An Angel Yesterday, Actually Two" on my blog? I want to get the word out and see if we can come up with more underwear for the kids in Africa.
Thanks,
Myla

[Myla]

You have to forgive me for not waiting to hear from you but I wanted to get the word out ASAP about the Underwear for Africa Drive. I have been sending emails and have gotten a very good response. I have at least 10 confirmed packs of underwear already and promises of more to be sent. I hope you do not mind but your excitement was contagious.
Best,
Myla

[amy]

Hey - I'm wondering the deadline as well. I'm gonna try to rally my gals and get them to take action. Just drop me an email so I can be sure to get them off to you in time.

[Margie]

Rocky, is there still time? And should we send the undies to the address above?

[HeadMutha]

This is a year round project!!! Check Out Mothers Fighting For Others for all updates! Thanks so much!! I have flyers you can print out if you want to have your own drive too!!!