Socks For Siberia 
Socks for Siberia, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization that supports orphaned children in the regions of Khakassia and Krasnoyarsk,  Siberia

Socks For Siberia 2010 Spring Update

It is hard to believe how fast the time flies! Since our last update in the Fall kicking off the Christmas Giving Campaign, so many great things are being accomplished to improve the lives and futures of the orphaned children in the Khakassia and Krasnoyarsk regions of Siberia in Russia.

Due to the huge increases in shipping costs, the Christmas Giving Campaign was conducted differently this year. We shipped 8 boxes of small items as opposed to the 32 boxes shipped last year. With the money saved in shipping, we were able to purchase some larger, more lasting items to benefit the children over the long run. Each child in the four facilities that we now support (Kuragino, Malishok, Minusinsk and Teremok) received a gift and a party was held at each home, with fresh fruit, candies and cookies, at which time the larger gifts were presented.

For the Kuragino Emergency Shelter and Social Program, a digital camera was purchased. The Kuragino program gives children, whose families are in crisis, a chance to take part in many wonderful activities and will now be able to make these memories tangible for the kids. Pictures of a happy day can give them hope for future happy days to come.

The Malishok Home for Children receives government sponsorship and their needs are fewer at this time, but the children were treated to small toys, fresh fruit and sweets and know that they are not forgotten by their friends in the US.

At the Minusinsk Home, the staff reported that their only television set (an old one) was broken beyond repair. Given the very long and cold Russian winters, a TV seemed like a very appropriate gift to help provide some winter respite for the children (and thus, the staff as well!) An indoor play gym for the younger children was also provided and there were hats and gloves as well as sweatshirts for the older kids.

The Teremok Home for Children with Disabilities is a great new facility which lacks basic developmental toys and therapeutic equipment. We purchased a Parapodium, a device which allows disabled children the opportunity to stand and walk independently. The chance to see your friends “eye to eye” is something we take for granted. Also purchased were special swim aids & flotation devices (the children are taken to a public pool in winter for exercise and local lakes in summertime.) A kitchen play set and play vegetable store set was also provided to give opportunities for educational dramatic role playing (and good fun!)

Following is a Holiday message of gratitude expressed by Sergei and our family in Siberia who are our hands and feet, eyes and ears on the other side of the world:

My dearest Wally and Michele,    Merry Christmas!

You are the people who show others the authentic meaning of this sacred holiday and what God's love is about. We love you dearly and appreciate every bit of your efforts to help those children who are underprivileged, those kids who lack parental love, kids who are getting Gods blessings via your attention and hard work. Merry Christmas! All the children and staff members were very happy to get their presents. It was like a dream come true for many of them. They are thanking you and all the wonderful American people who donated their money to make their New Year Party unforgettable.

LOVE Goose (Sergei) and the whole Siberian family.

In addition to this, we have continued to support the Kuragino Shelter with the monthly food allotment begun during our visit last summer, and have raised more than half of the $5.000.00 required to renovate the bathing rooms at the shelter.                 

The fund to build a play yard at the shelter continues to grow as well. The director there recognizes the importance of play and some sense of normalcy for the traumatized children in her care and she has begun, on her own, to provide for this need, beginning by building a sandbox with the help of local craftsmen.  We currently have raised $400.00 of the $1,000 budget for the project.                 

We have purchased more fabric dolls made by the children in the shelter’s workshop program, which we have been selling at various events. An E-Bay account is being established to provide a constant outlet for these charming items which will continue to generate income for their support.

In February, 20 children were sponsored in order to travel to Camp Talovka to participate in a winter session of “The School For Young Leaders” program.  This program, run by an educator, a psychologist and other professionals, teaches independence and self advocacy to children who are typically very dependent by nature of their circumstances. In May or June, 20 more children will participate in a Spring session of this worthwhile program of empowerment for these youngsters.

Please visit our website for more details and pictures. It is also possible now to safely make donations there using PayPal or a credit card. As always, you can send a check to the North Brookfield Savings Bank as well.

Save The Date!!!     FOURTH ANNUAL

 Socks For Siberia Spring Family Festival

Saturday June 12, 2010   ---  12 noon to 6 pm

Rain or Shine  ---  Family Fun

Highland Orchard and Brewery -- Sturbridge MA

 S.F.S Homepage