I received this list from Renee. If you bring any of these items down, please post here so that others do not duplicate the items.

The boys need backpacks (for 8 - 10 yr olds - not large ones), pencils & pencil cases for school. They would love to have the DVD Star Wars movies all episodes & they need a good trimmer so they can do haircuts at the home and not have to pay for haircuts.


Your help is greatly appreciated!

Cynde

Hi All- I'm in Bonaire! yeah! I've got jeans for the older kids, t-shirts for nearly every age, pens, a few backpacks and a hair trimmer. Now I just need to know how to get the items to them. I have transportation. I'm just not sure the address I have is correct. Anyone care to give me an idea as to how to handle this?

Thanks again for all your help with this! tish from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Trish, get yourself to Chat N Browse as Michael will gladly call them for you as well as get you good directions. I've been many times but stink with directions and only go by landmarks!
Give him a call...he's a doll!

Thank you SO very much for your gifts; they will be greatly appreciated.

PLEASE say HI to Marlene, Meredith, Hetty and the staff there.

Kobi- Talked with Michael (what an awesome man). He called the boys for me. We delivered our items and talked with Meredith. She was wonderful. She did mention that I should call Marlene Monday morning to see what we could do. Also, we did purchase a rice cooker this afternoon as hers quit working...I will deliver that Monday sometime. I hope to be able to help out later in the week. Maybe just even laundry, cleaning, etc. Whatever would help. Thank you again!

tish

Trish.....you ROCK!!!!!
Meredith is a doll; I just adore her.

We were there 3 weeks ago and were able to spend good time with our sponsor child as well as Marlene, Meredith and the rest of the boys! Awesome facility and I am SO thankful for what you are able to do. It means more than you will ever know.

THANKS!!!

We would like to bring a train set and lots of books etc for the boys. Does anyone know if it is cheaper and safe to send the toys etc or bring it on the airline with our dive gear etc? Also, will any of the airlines all you to ship the materials for free via the airlines?

Also, what are the current needs? We were there last year and dropped off a check and will do the same this year.

What is happening with all the little girls?

What about soccer balls?

Ruth, thanks for thinking of the boys. I'll see if there are any needs other than what was posted in May. Probably the same.

It is safer and cheaper to pack it in your luggage. And no, the airline will not ship the stuff free, they don't care. We just came back from Jamaica, and took an extra suitcase of things for an orphange in Montego Bay and Kingston, 2 checked bags per person is what they allow, regardless of what you have.

keep in mind, that the boys know VERY limited English. They speak papaimento or Dutch. So if the books are in English, it may not be worthwhile. If you could bring Dutch, or find Paimaento books, that would be great.

Still nothing happening with the girls.

If you bring soccer balls, please bring pumps with the needles to inflate them

The need towels, dish towels, and sheets and pillow cases. An electric train may not be a good idea since we have problems with the cycles, etc.

Michael, what size sheets, twin? I plan on getting a bunch of stuff together for August and this is a big help knowing what is needed.Thanks!
I know this may sound stupid but do they just use a fitted sheet or a top sheet too?

will give them a call and find out...

I'm pretty sure twin. Last time I was there, all the kids had twin beds.

We have a set of Thomas the Train that are not electric that we thought we would donate. Last time we were there we saw one on the floor with broken peices and parts. We do have an electronic train but thought it would not be the best of the need for batteries.
We are coming in October so we will check in closer to see what has come in.
Here is just a thought - I work for a very large corporation that does donations but only to organizations with non profit numbers. Does the boys home have a non profit number or is there an organization in the US that is connect to the boys home? I could make out a grant application if we can figure this out.

We have a set of Thomas the Train that are not electric that we thought we would donate. Last time we were there we saw one on the floor with broken pieces and parts. We do have an electronic train but thought it would not be the best of the need for batteries.
We are coming in October so we will check in closer to see what has come in.
Here is just a thought - I work for a very large corporation that does donations but only to organizations with non profit numbers. Does the boys home have a non profit number or is there an organization in the US that is connect to the boys home? I could make out a grant application if we can figure this out.

Ah, the 'tish' (a new BT'er posting here) and 'Trish' (many posts on other threads).

I am always a bit annoyed when I write my name here 'glen' and it comes back 'glenn'. So often we all see what we want to see and not what really is. On larger subjects, too. :–)))))

Ruth, yes, you can donate to the Hoppner Home through www.SupportBonaire.org. When you do make the donation, you will need to specify that it goes to the home.

Thank you for thinking of the boys, and being so kind.

Great info here, Michael, please let me know as soon as you hear. Thanks!

GleN, on a thread that is meant to really help people out was your comment really necessary?? My name is spelled RosAnne, so I know what you are saying but this wasn't the place. JMHO

tried to call numerous times. I am pretty sure it is twin size. Also, the non electric train set sounds great.

Last month, when we were there, we visited our sponsor child and toured the home. We saw most of the boys' rooms; they all have twin beds at present.
We left our sponsor child a new set of sheets and last July we took down 9 new sets of twin sheets. They can always use new sheets to rotate

Thanks for thinking of the boys!!!!

OH my bad.....I called her TRISH and her name is TISH Sorry it's my fault!

I´ve got a bag of coloured pencils and drawing items with me, will probably tag along with Kobi to drop them off in the next few days

Hello, all. It is now July, and it looks like we're returning 21 August. Are there any latest items on the wish/need list that we can bring from the states?

Michelle, I've send you a PM

(Message edited by bpsmits on July 3, 2009)