August, 2022
SYLVIA’S CHILDREN UPDATE NEWSLETTER

As we swelter in 100-degree weather here in New Jersey, it makes me long for the cooling climate of Uganda where the temperature ranges from 60 to 80 degrees EVERY DAY! 

We have been planning a trip for the Christmas celebration in Uganda from November 9 to 23. Considering that people are reluctant to travel right now with Covid, Monkey Pox, and thousands of flights cancelled daily, I am thinking of changing the trip to next spring. We would then be able to host a 20th Anniversary celebration and some of these “kinks” would be ironed out. Let me know what you think … I am considering the trip taking place around Memorial Day 2023.

That does not mean the children will go without Christmas! The Christmas fundraising is going well … I am only short $7,250 so if you have not yet had a chance to send your contribution now is a good time to do it! We want to make it easy on you to do so: you can always go to the Sylvia's Children website and hit “Donate Today” and pay via PayPal. As they say “easy peasy”! 😊

I will be the missionary speaker at the Church of St. Denis in Manasquan next Saturday and Sunday (August 13-14). They have three services … 4:30 pm on Saturday, plus 8:00 and 9:30 am on Sunday. They also host another one on the beach at 10 am, but I’m not a sprint runner to get there fast enough so will only be at the three masses! It’s a gorgeous church and I am  honored to be there.

Speaking of churches, Holmdel Community United Church of Christ just finished their Christmas in July fundraising for Sylvia’s Children for the annual Christmas Party. Thanks to ALL of you who participated and donated … The smiles you bring to these children’s faces are priceless and the joy is forever. I can’t wait to share the pictures of this year’s joyous occasion!

And one more church appearance … I will be in Minnesota August 18 to September 3 and am the lay speaker at Pine Lake Methodist Church on Bit Pine Lake, Minnesota at the 9 am service. My Great Aunt Hope attended this church when she lived at the Lake in the ‘60’s and so much of her is still present. The congregation has been a wonderful supporter of Sylvia’s Children and it’s an honor to be there and give them an update on the school.
We are excited to announce that we have another way for you to help us raise money and it costs you nothing AND helps you clean out your bookshelves! At a store … Back on the Racks located on Route 35 North in Ocean (across from Wegman’s) … we have two New Legacy Books bins where you can take your old books and donate them. The books must have an ISBN number and they can’t take encyclopedias … otherwise, it will help you get rid of books that are too good to throw away but are taking up much needed space in your life (we can even take textbooks). When New Legacy Books sell the books, we get 15% donated back to Sylvia's Children so by getting rid of your books you are helping our cause. Also, if you have an idea for a location, I will follow through with the book bin folks and we can share the revenue.
Special thanks to Doug Brown and the folks at Brown’s Heating, Cooling and Plumbing for being such wonderful supporters of Sylvia’s Children. Here is their latest newsletter sharing information about Sylvia's Children with their customers.

And, for those of you who have enjoyed the Jersey Shore Wine Festival in the past … it will be back in 2023! Stay tuned!

Last, but not least, thanks to ALL of you who have made a Christmas donation and are making it possible for us to continue to give these beautiful children a wonderful Christmas!

With sincere appreciation,