I don't know where the time has gone but Caring And Sharing For Kids was 6 years old in October. I just want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support, it means sooo much, and to update you as to how we spend your donations.
At the present time we are serving 217 children with their many needs. I am proud to say in the 6 years, we have been able to meet all the needs of the children and that is only because of the generosity of the people that believe in our cause. Without your support we could do nothing.
Your donations have helped with travel expenses (gas, meals, parking) and lodging when needed for 657 doctor trips to Pittsburgh, Danville, Shriners, and Cleveland, plus a trip to Detroit, Michigan for a 5 days hospital stay for one family and to Kentucky for a 7 day hospital stay for another,which includes air line tickets, meals and lodging. Many of the children have spent months in far away hospitals and many operations which we helped with all of the above. Many families tell us they honestly don't know what they would do without our help.
We have 9 children that are on special foods that are VERY costly and we give $100.00 a month to each family to help defray the cost.
One young teen after having 4 transplants in 5 years and spending most of his teen life in Philadelphia hospital wanted to go to college, so we gave him a 1,000 to help with his books and needs.
The sad part of this year is we lost a 14 year old girl that had been our second client, so we all came to know her and love her. Because she was born with CP the parents could not get life insurance on her, so we helped with a 1,000 toward funeral expenses. Samantha LOVED balloons so when we had our fall festival this year all the volunteers released balloons in her memory.
One of our goals for this year was to purchase portable DVD players for in the car for each family that has children under12 to help with the long rides to the doctor appointments and hospital stays. We still have 20 to go, but it's not the end of the year yet. The families we have given the players to say what a difference it makes for the long trips. The children are busy watching a DVD and the trip isn't so long for them. We also give them a new DVD every third trip.
Our goal for 2010 is to purchase the families that don't have a cell phone, a track phone and card so when they make the 2 hour doctor trips they will have it for safety and to call back home especially if the child is in the hospital for weeks or months at a time. Some are single Moms and I feel it is important they have a track phone when it is only her and the child making the long trips. We were giving phone cards but it is a hassle if you are all nervous and upset trying to put in ALL the numbers before you can make your call. God willing our goal will be accomplished.
We closed in a porch for a family that lives along the highway, so the child can at least have some air and be safe, because he has seizures he must be protected. This was done because of a letter from a case worker of the need and the child's father is serving in the military in Iraq.
The needs are great for these children and their families, and with the continued support of caring people we can continue to serve them.
THANK YOU for ALL you have done in the past and I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas.
Sandra Swatsworth Director Caring And Sharing For Kids
Some of the Caring And Sharing For Kids Volunteers
