We're Ready For Our Trip - Packing Day Today!
With less than a week to go before our departure to the Dominican Republic, the excitement is building and the preparations are continuing on schedule. Today is Packing Day! We're all meeting at the Norwich Congregational Church to sort and pack the huge amount of material that has been donated for distribution in the DR. We have tons of stuff: toothbrushes and toothpaste, flouride for "painting" teeth, childrens' clothing and boxes of tee shirts for all ages, eyeglasses and sunglasses, and even some donated baseball equipment for young players in a country that is devoted to baseball.
In addition to the practical aspects of packing all of this material into 50-pound lots for each of the travelers to bring in a checked suitcase, today's Packing Day is also an important opportunity for us to bond together as a group and begin the process of working as a team. This will be the first time that all (almost all, save for one or two) of us are together. We're met in sub-groups, and worked separately on preparations and fundraising, but today we start becoming a team.
Speaking of fundraising, we are thrilled by efforts that have enabled us to collect over $10,000 for trip expenses. The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College had a Yard Sale in January that netted almost $1500. Flower sales at the Meriden, Norwich and Hanover churches has added a lot to the cause. Thanks to all of those who helped with that important effort to raise both money and awareness. We have been very fortunate to receive two large grants from the Byrne Family Foundation and the Pembroke Fund of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. The latter grant was based on part by the cooperative work between the Meriden and Hanover churches that has the potential to continue as a mission partnership well beyond the scope of this trip.
Although we hope to have regular blog entries during the next week as we prepare for our departure next Friday, (especially from student participants) the primary purpose is to keep parents, family and friends updated during our time in the Dominican Republic. If all goes well, we will post daily updates with occasional photos.
Speaking of departure, our plan to to gather at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College at 7:30 on Friday, and depart no later than 8:15. There is a busy preschool at CCDC that fills out parking lot by 8:30, and we need to be out of the way by the time the toddlers start flowing in!
Stay tuned as we work together to make this mission trip a success for both those visiting the DR and our friends there who are eagerly awaiting our arrival!
In addition to the practical aspects of packing all of this material into 50-pound lots for each of the travelers to bring in a checked suitcase, today's Packing Day is also an important opportunity for us to bond together as a group and begin the process of working as a team. This will be the first time that all (almost all, save for one or two) of us are together. We're met in sub-groups, and worked separately on preparations and fundraising, but today we start becoming a team.
Speaking of fundraising, we are thrilled by efforts that have enabled us to collect over $10,000 for trip expenses. The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College had a Yard Sale in January that netted almost $1500. Flower sales at the Meriden, Norwich and Hanover churches has added a lot to the cause. Thanks to all of those who helped with that important effort to raise both money and awareness. We have been very fortunate to receive two large grants from the Byrne Family Foundation and the Pembroke Fund of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. The latter grant was based on part by the cooperative work between the Meriden and Hanover churches that has the potential to continue as a mission partnership well beyond the scope of this trip.
Although we hope to have regular blog entries during the next week as we prepare for our departure next Friday, (especially from student participants) the primary purpose is to keep parents, family and friends updated during our time in the Dominican Republic. If all goes well, we will post daily updates with occasional photos.
Speaking of departure, our plan to to gather at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College at 7:30 on Friday, and depart no later than 8:15. There is a busy preschool at CCDC that fills out parking lot by 8:30, and we need to be out of the way by the time the toddlers start flowing in!
Stay tuned as we work together to make this mission trip a success for both those visiting the DR and our friends there who are eagerly awaiting our arrival!
I'd like to recognize those who made generous donations of supplies towards our efforts; from children's clothing, to reading glasses, medical supplies and children and women's vitamins. In particular, our local schools, nursery schools, UV dentists (Dr Melkers at Lyme Road Dental, Dr. Noble). The organization Vitamin Angels generously donated multivitamins for women and children, the Henry Schein Foundation donated medical supplies, as well as Transmed of Massachusetts and US Diagnostics. We feel surrounded by a caring community and country.
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ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who donated and volunteered on Packing Day! We're looking forward to hitting the road bright and early Friday morning; it'll be an adventure!
ReplyDeleteSafe travels to you all and enjoy the beautiful environment !
DeleteBest,
Katherine Broussard
Hanover Road Dental also made a generous contribution of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Planning to send them a card with some pictures when we return!
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