Nuestros Niños: Packing Day!

21 adults helping, 16 kids playing, 15 hours, 2 meals, 1 birthday, and 22 boxes later - we finished packing all of the wonderful donations Nuestros Niños has received over the last year.

I have to say that I had no idea that we had accumulated so many donations over the past year. We started pulling the items out of the shed, had 2,000+ shirts delivered from AYSO, and had more donations come in over the past week. We had thought we might fill 12 boxes, but realized quickly it was going to be more - so we had to order more boxes. And in the end we had enough donations to fill 22 boxes!

We not only fill the boxes, but we first of all sort all of the donations into categories: Education/School Supplies, Toys, Stuffed Animals, Activities we will do in Guatemala, Women's Clothes, Men's Clothes, Girl's Clothes, Boy's Clothes, Toiletries, Household, Shoes, and Bedding. Then we sort the shoes and clothes by size. It is a huge process, but it went so well this year because we had so many people helping! There were "old friends" and "new friends" all working together for a mutual good.

After we sort all of the items we start putting the items into the boxes - documenting everything we put into the boxes for Customs and so we can tell you guys what we have been able to accomplish together.

We took some time for some pizza at lunch and then did a potluck dinner with lots of great food. It was a great time to celebrate one of our board member's 40th birthday too. When we finished compiling everything, it was about 8:30-9:00pm. And it never felt so good to sit down! :)

Thanks to the National AYSO Tournament, Duck Duck Goose, the Lady Vols Soccer Team, Kick N Back, and all of the individuals who have donated items so we could do this amazing work!

Here is a list of what was included in this shipment (doesn't include everything we are taking down in our suitcases):