Goodness Gracious
Remember when I asked for goody bags for my upcoming trip to Africa? I had 1,400 responses. The Internet, apparently, is this crazy medium fueled by incredibly generous, amazing people. I couldn’t believe it. Neither could my postman.
The packages have been coming in steadily during the last two weeks, with more than 40 having arrived from all over the world. Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Europe, etc. It is simply startling and I’m beginning to get used to signing for packages, as if I’m some sort of business bigwig. Your letters to the orphans are really what get me. I had to stop reading because I began having a Pavlovian response when I’d get the mail: I’d see an envelope and start crying. (Fine at home, not so much at work.) You are one astounding group of people and I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to thank you.
These were sent in by a kindergarten class in Sugar Land, Texas. Children helping children. Ah, crap. I’m crying again.
Managing this project has been a bit more than I was expecting. Just getting the mail to my house requires driving most days — about 1000 yards — which is ridiculous. It takes an hour a day to go through all of the packages, record the sender’s information, recycle the boxes and sort the goody bags. The count as of yesterday (before four new boxes came in the mail) was 280 baggies. We are well into Bolivian territory at this point; I’ll be taking many of these Mozambican baggies to South America in the Fall instead.
Keep your Kleenex out — Kathie, from Mesa, Arizona (what a place-a), knit and crocheted more than 100 beanies for the baby orphanage. Can you imagine? They are so bright and beautiful. I know the director, Ana Paula, is going to flip.
{If you’ve sent a package and you haven’t heard from me, please shoot me an email. I’ve got several without return or email addresses.}
Yep. This photo makes me twitch and want to put on a pair of yellow gloves, stat! I’ve got Geller instincts when it comes to cleaning and don’t handle disarray well. Thank goodness I’ve got the extra space to hide all of this!
From the bottom of my overwhelmed heart, thank you.
xoxo,
Kelli
God is good! I am very excited to hear about it when you get back. It is a blessing to us to be a part of this.
May 11th, 2007 at 8:39 amI’m planning to send 7-10 more early next week, and I’m sure others still have this on their TO DO list, too.
It’s a great project!
May 11th, 2007 at 8:47 amwow. look at all those awesome goodies. that’s such an incredible response. and, i spy two Frida portraits on your wall!
May 11th, 2007 at 8:48 amI LOVE IT!! I could cry just looking at it all.
May 11th, 2007 at 8:50 amThat’s incredible. I can imagine how cluttery you must be feeling. I guess it’s a good thing.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:00 amI’m having a teary moment just looking at this. I feel my cynicism fading away at this proof of people’s generosity and love towards their brothers and sisters. Beautiful. (And thank you for coordinating it all! You rock.)
May 11th, 2007 at 9:17 amYay! I can’t wait to see pics of the children receiving their goodie bags! Hooray for people and generosity !
May 11th, 2007 at 9:24 amabsolutley incredible. who would have expected that kind of response?
May 11th, 2007 at 9:30 amWhat a great reminder of the basic goodness of people! You are wonderful for spearheading it all.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:37 amI was just posting on another blog about how sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a part of the human race. Turn on NPR anytime this week to know why. And yet, things like this prove that we ARE capable of great things.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:41 amI haven’t sent my package yet - should I hold off and aim for Bolivia instead of Mozambique? You are looking a little overwhelmed there. Let me know the time frame or I can just read your posts.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:48 amYea!!!!!
May 11th, 2007 at 9:48 amWOW! People can be so wonderful! I love what you’ve done here
May 11th, 2007 at 10:38 amIt is a wonderful site… well worth dealing with a little mess
Just looking at your pictures, I had a warm heart and (happy) teary eyes. Thanks for refreshing my Friday.
May 11th, 2007 at 10:50 amyay what goodness!
May 11th, 2007 at 11:13 amHey Kel! I’ve sent you a check. I kind of realized that my frazzled brain didn’t have the power to process what I needed to do at any given time when going to the store. With Chris gone (to India) things are hectic, to say the least. You will probably not get it in time for this trip, but you can use it on a goody bag for your trip to South America! Have a wonderful time and enjoy all the moments you have giving these gifts out!
May 11th, 2007 at 11:16 amWow, the beanies and the kindergarten class are too much. There is so much goodness out there. Viva la internet!
I hope you’ll be able to get a few pictures of kids with their goodie bags and that they smile that big beaming smile that only kids can do.
May 11th, 2007 at 11:47 amI’m gathering my stuff for the baggies for Bolivia and getting them ready. Those little baby hats are worth a few tears. How precious! And Bright and Pretty! And the little kids sending all that stuff! God is indeed so good. Starting to blubber and get the keyboard wet. Signing off, now.
May 11th, 2007 at 12:46 pmIt is so heartwarming to see this bounty of generosity. It makes me want to cry, too. And Kathie of Mesa did an awesome job and I hope her fingers aren’t worn out. In addition to all the loving responses you received about this project, you are also to be commended for your own willingness to coordinate and execute this bit of love all the participants are sending. Thank you, Kelli, and I am so proud as well as humbled to be part of this.
May 11th, 2007 at 1:59 pmI echo everyone’s amazement. You have touched so many people! One of the MDs I know goes to work in the Dominican Republic and brings tons of stuff too. Last time, he called the airline and was able to get in touch with a rep who was willing to allow each person 25 extra lbs per bag. Looks like you might need to do that?
May 11th, 2007 at 2:04 pmI loved seeing the our kindergarten box on your blog. The kids will be so excited on monday, when I show them! You’re enthusiasm is contagious, thanks for giving us this wonderful opportunity to help.
May 11th, 2007 at 2:11 pmoh this is so fabulous kelli! i mailed you a package yesterday. you are such an angel for giving us all this opportunity to pay it forward a tiny bit. have a great weekend doll!
May 11th, 2007 at 4:58 pmI would love to participate! Let me know where to send ans I will even add it to my blogs! You are a good soul. Age specific?
May 11th, 2007 at 6:59 pmAh Kelli,
The tears are hear too. To see all the wonderful things everyone was able to do is so amazing! A class of kids helping kids is one of the greatest gifts and you put this all together girlfriend! You are one amazing lady and it makes me proud to be able to help you. God Bless, Kathie
May 11th, 2007 at 9:59 pmSometimes things happen and I’m at ease with human race again! Do you remember what Anna Frank said at the end of her diary? that she still believed in the goodness of men. She was right, there’re aspects of human nature that are just amazing.
May 11th, 2007 at 11:00 pm[...] b) Made it possible for me to donate a little something. [...]
May 12th, 2007 at 12:29 amoh i am crying NOW!
May 12th, 2007 at 1:05 amThere still are such wonderful and generous people!
What a wonderful post. You are amazing. I hope you’re enjoying the ride on cloud 9 right now. And thanks for making me cry.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:05 amAbsolutely amazing!
May 12th, 2007 at 3:03 amme to! I cried looking at all of those bags packed up with so much love. I just can’t wait to see the faces of the kids at the other end receiving them. I will aim for your next trip. When you get a minute let us know what kind of things are appropriate for that trip? Good on you for organising and coordinating.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:17 amSO KICK ASS! I sent mine yesterday, so you’ll have another package coming. I love the box of crocheted beanies - that is the coolest.
I have a warm and fuzzy feeling right now and it’s all your fault.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:38 amWow! This makes me so happy to see, too. I still have to send mine, so I am thinking it’s best to write my letters in Spanish?
May 12th, 2007 at 9:00 amThis is absolutely amazing! It warms my heart to see such an outpouring of goods and how many people wanted to reach out to someone they have never met. I hope you know how amazing you are for putting this all together.
May 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pmThis is wonderful… wow!
May 13th, 2007 at 1:49 pmSometimes the goodness in people can be overwhelming … I guess it is a good attempt to make up for all our wrong doings. What an inspiration the gifts are … and what an inspiration YOU are for organizing this drive. Way to go!!
May 13th, 2007 at 2:08 pmYou rock Kelli! All this because you had a wish and sent it out to us…thanks for all you’re doing for the world. You make me smile!
May 14th, 2007 at 5:44 amthanks so much for letting me be a part of this, I feel warm and fuzzy being part of such an incredibly giving community. sniff, sniff
May 14th, 2007 at 2:18 pmso wonderful to give. so glad you asked kelli.
May 14th, 2007 at 6:35 pmI am so happy that you got such a good response, I wish you a good trip. I won’t be posting for a while but will check in with you frequently. Good trip, be safe…ciao
May 14th, 2007 at 6:42 pmYou are Oprah my dear. Thank you for giving so many the opportunity to Do Something! There is so much beauty in the world we don’t always get to see… and wow am I seeing it here!
May 15th, 2007 at 2:29 pmmy dear kelli, YOU are the inspiration… thank you for getting this started! i am so happy that you have had such a wonderful response (and happy to know that the internet is fueled by love, as opposed to a series of tubes
) i am getting a bit teary reading this post and i’m at work so better sign off! xo
May 16th, 2007 at 10:18 amHello! I’m glad mine arrived safely. Thank you so much for starting this!
May 18th, 2007 at 7:47 am[...] Week 3: Bake! Pies, breads, cookies. Use gift tags, baking twine and a bit of creativity to wrap up a few sweets to send holiday cheer. Hand deliver — a perfect way to introduce yourself to new neighbors, or reintroduce yourself to those you haven’t spoken to since pie delivery last year. Also great holiday gifts for those service people you adore: the pedicure lady, the bagel man, the postal worker who lugged all those Mozambique goody bags for months, etc. Avoid enjoying these baked goodies by imagining the cute new dress you’ll rock come New Years. Go shop for the dress and resist urge to buy a size smaller “because you know you can lose that extra five pounds this month.” {Note to self: that never works and returns this time of year are a time hemorrhage.} Clean and prepare for company. Organize/borrow all serving platters you’ll need for Christmas dinner. Create a cooking schedule, giving yourself time to prepare some foods the day before so you aren’t in the kitchen all day when company is visiting. Order flowers for out-of-state relatives. [...]
November 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 am