Spring Break '09

This Spring Break, I have decided to donate my time working in an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. The program is being organized by a non-profit organization called Orphanage Outreach, which has been working in the Dominican Republic since 1994, ever since the programs founder discovered the poor conditions under which these children were living. These are children who have already suffered through unfortunate circumstances in their lives, such as being the victims of abusive or irresponsible parents, or living in poverty.

The mission of Orphanage Outreach is to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children. Its goals are to help the orphanage provide basic necessities, to provide a quality education, and to help the orphanages become self sufficient.

Each Orphanage Outreach volunteer has two significant roles - to donate important volunteer time while in the Dominican Republic, and to help raise funds necessary to fulfill Orphanage Outreach's mission.

As a fund-raiser, I am helping to raise funds to not only to cover my expenses, but to also provide the basic necessities at the orphanage: food, water, housing, transportation, supervision, medical and dental care, and more. The orphanage is currently out of sleeping space for additional children; a second floor is currently being built to add more space.

My goal is to raise $1000 more than my program fee and airfare. I invite you to become involved in partnering with me in this effort. With your donation, we will be able to make a significant difference in these children’s lives.

Orphanage Outreach is a small organization, is not government funded, and relies on the tax-deductible donations of individuals.

If you are willing to help, please go to http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/oo.estrella.php?volunteer_id=MTU4 This is a tax-deductible 501-C-3 organization: U.S. federal tax id #58-2197227.

If you have any questions, please call me at (410) 599-4162 or e-mail me at jmw5178@psu.edu. You can also call Tom Eklund, Executive Director of Orphanage Outreach, at (602) 375-2900. Orphanage Outreach also has a very informative website: www.orphanage-outreach.org.

Thank you so much for your help. Any amount that you are able to donate will be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Winters