It has been a very busy month. We held our “Family Parcel Days” on February 13th and 14th, this was an opportunity for everyone to bring in boxes and parcels that they would like delivered to their “families” in Belarus. This could be anyone that is being supported in any way, whether it is the family of a child who has been hosted here in Canada, a student in our Orphan Education Program, Families in the Guardian Angel Program or anyone with a connection living in the contaminated regions that we work in. We received many parcels that we labeled and inventoried for the delivery. Here Margaret Campbell from Ridgetown, Ontario finalizes her paperwork and payment with Mike Waldron our Treasurer.
Once all of the inventorying is complete on all of these parcels, as well as everything else that we have been collecting and sorting for the past year, it is time to load the containers. We spent two evenings and last Saturday morning completing that task. We had quite a collection of helpers and I would like to thank all of them for their hard work. It is a big job but everyone seemed to have fun doing it. Here Dan McKenzie, who traveled to Belarus with the delegation last year, and Stephen MacKinnon, a member of the Board of Directors who will be traveling to Belarus this month, take a turn at loading the first container.
Here is one of the containers loaded and ready to go. Packing everything in banana boxes this year really helped with the loading process. It is also going to make it much easier for unloading and delivering on the other end. Thanks to everyone for cooperating with this request.
I know the delegates are getting excited to get going and it wont be long now as most will be arriving in Belarus between March 24th and 28th. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to subscribe to this blog (on the right hand side of this page near the top, or send me an e-mail) this way you will be sent an e-mail each time I update the blog while we are in Belarus.
Thanks for tuning in!
Eric McKenzie
Good luck from the Netherlands. We (Melinda humanitarian transport foundation) will mis you this year in Chausy. Planing to leave Holland on may 28th with two trucks. All the best, and hope to meet you next year. Friendly regards from all of us.
Ruud van Breen
(Board member)
I will be thinking about the group while you are there. I hope the trip goes well. I will be watching your blog for updates Eric.
Tireless efforts! You guys do tremendous work. Have a wonderful time in Belarus – I’m sure that the folks there are really looking forward to your annual visit and all the good that comes from it!
Good luck to all those travelling to belarus at the end of March. Know tht all your hard work will be well received. Looking forward to your Blog, Eric and can’t wait till next year when I’ll travel with the group to Belarus!