For several weeks now I’ve been collecting boxes and bins and stacks of hygiene kits, clothing, fabric, white shirts, baby kits and more. Our front porch has been a drop off point for these donations going to the organization Eyes For Zimbabwe. I try to help them as much as I am able.
This year, ot of the blue, I’ve had several friends call to ask if I knew of anyone needing this or that–white shirts, or leftover hygiene kits from projects not finished years ago. I’ve gathered armloads of bolts of fabric for a sewing center, and clothing for missionaries. A kind neighbor dropped off 4 beautiful men’s suits and shoes. Another neighbor who is in charge of our Relief Society Humanitarian projects, asked if I knew of any groups needing help. I told her what I’ve been collecting and she is enlisting our neighborhood women in making hygiene kits with nail clippers, combs, toothbrushes, towels and soap. Neighbors are also collecting books and towels.
The boxes below arrived from a friend in California. They are filled with hygiene kits and there are more coming–a whole van filled. It’s all amazing to me. It’s like if we make the smallest effort to help someone, the windows of heaven pour out STUFF that is needed.
Today John and I took 2 very full truck loads to the collection point at the LDS Distribution Center in Salt Lake. Here is the first.
I’m always AMAZED when I go into the LDS Distribution Center in Salt Lake and see the amount of aid that has been prepared to go out into the world–disaster response, and just good will for those in need. These are bales of clothing heading to areas where there is need. 
Here’s the first load we dropped off:
Then we drove to the warehouse of ScholarWear, a school uniform company. They save donations and returns for us to send to Zimbabwe each year. The kids in Africa go crazy over these well-made indestructible school uniforms. Here is the load we picked up today.
It took a little doing to fit it all into the truck.
We secured the load with the wrapping tape.
And then we unloaded it at the Distribution Center.
It feels good to make a difference to someone. I’m thrilled when we can help.
After unloading, I looked around a bit more. Piles that were here a couple of hours ago had already been taken and loaded. The Distribution Center is a flury of activity with a huge crew of people working daily to sort and bundle clothing and other supplies.
Different types of clothing are sorted into these plastic cans.
Then they are baled and wrapped.
Ready for shipment around the world!
It really makes me feel PROUD to see what goes on behind the scenes when people are helping people. Wow. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, and we get things done!
