Hello Grace,
Thank you, thank you, thank you....pictures are of the items Isabella has obtained with your donations- those from the Ukrainian market, and the Polish soldiers picking up the items to bring back to Poland. There are other videos, etc. which are not included on this email.
The following text is from Bill T. who is interfacing with Isabella about this mission project:
Quick update for all of you who have committed to donate to the Ukrainian refugees. Bella was only expecting a “few hundred dollars.” So she was surprised when we Venmo transferred $3,000 yesterday. Yesterday Bella only spent $250 buying the essential items she had promised to supply. More importantly, she solicited 10 of her friends to help her purchase the next wave of items (see list below) that were needed.
Bella is working two sources. There is a very popular Ukrainian market there in Spain where she is. The market is collecting items which are being loaded onto a truck that is leaving for Poland tomorrow morning (so I thought). All the items she and her friends purchased today will be on that truck.
The other source is the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid. They also have a list of requested items and they have set up drop off locations in various places in Spain. Bella indicated she (and her friends) intend to work on that list also.
We’re now up to $3,950 in commitments so far. And Grace UCC will definitely top that off to at least $5,000. So I asked Bella to let know when she is ready for our next Venmo transfer.
This approach with Bella really appeals to me. We know for sure our donations are being used to purchase items that are being delivered directly to the refugees. Little or no spillage. That is about as good as we can get. I’m a little leery of other donation options I’ve seen. But that’s just me.
Okay, with that background, here is the info Bella shared with me today. The only change is I’m sharing the list of purchases at the bottom. It was actually the first thing Bella sent me at 3:05 pm my time today.
[Bella] I will keep you posted on our efforts tomorrow! the first truck is leaving tomorrow evening now!!
[Bill] We have another $2,000 ready to donate. Let me know when to Venmo! ( Like that rhyme?)
[Bella] I will let you know! I raised another $2,000 through social media so I have a lot to work with right now
[Bella] But we will be doing a lot this weekend! So I will check in about another donation after our efforts on Saturday/Sunday
[Bill] OMG! Outstanding. You are so special Isabella. Thank you for the update. It takes my breath away.
[Bella] Thank you
Now here is list of how our first Venmo transfer was used. This was Bella’s first note.
[Bella] Hello!! We made the first drop off today! Here is the donation list:
+ 6 packs dried nuts/fruit+ 9 cans tuna + 15 chocolate bars + 7 packs cookies+ 6 packs granola bars + 6 packs protein bars + 4 canned food + 6 protein drinks + 100 baby diapers + 1 tub of baby formula + 3 packs baby wipes + 2 packs hygiene wipes + 3 packs menstrual products + 2 soap bars + 4 packs bandaids + 1 saline solution + 1 contact solution + 2 antiseptic solution + 2 baby creams + 1 4pack of toothbrushes + 9 dog food cans + 2 pacifiers + 2 baby bibs + 30 paper plates + 18 jars baby food + 50 children’s face masks+ 5 4pack AA batteries +4 4pack AAA batteries + 6 packs ibuprofen + 6 packs paracetamol (European equivalent of acetaminophen) + 2 first aid kits + 2 tents + 3 sleeping bags + 1 self inflating mattress + 2 sets thermal gloves/hat + 3 backpacks + €300 cash donation to the market for gas money/to help cover the cost of renting the truck
—Bill T.
