Periodically the subject of donations comes up. Because the Foundation has not been incorporated yet, I have been reluctant to ask for donations beyond leftover convention and hotel supplies.
With the devastating natural disasters of the last few months, there has rarely been a time in recent memory when the needs of many are so great. Even with the generosity following the tsunami and the hurricanes, there still are great needs, both internationally and locally.
The suffering in Africa and Asia continues. The children of Africa and southwest Asia (Nepal, India and Pakistan) hold a special place in my heart. Website visitors are asked to donate to the relief work for Pakistani earthquake victims of which 1.8 million are still homeless and for African aid work for victims of war, disease and child rape. My favorite nonprofits for international relief work are UNICEF, Doctors without Borders and Week of Compassion.
For the Foundation, the following items are needed.
Gift cards of any amount to mid-Atlantic regional and national bookstore chains such as Borders, Olssen's and Barnes & Noble
Spanish adult and children's books
Children's educational and entertainment DVDs and VHS videocassettes
French children's books
Portuguese children's books
Higher denomination postage stamps (The largest expense with book donations is postage; for example, the postage for a 40 pound box to the West Coast is about $14 via the USPS's media mail rate for books)
Gift cards of any amount to Target to buy school uniforms, children's DVDs, and school supplies
Gift cards to Costco to buy over-the-counter medical supplies and hygiene products
Convention and unused hotel supplies such as canvas tote bags, toothbrushes and bar soap.
Please note that, because the Foundation not yet is incorporated as a nonprofit, donations to the Foundation are not tax deductible. You have my sincere thanks for your consideration.
