"ELIANA'S $28.28 FOR 28 CHALLENGE."
 
 

Hi Friends and Family, 


I hope this message finds you well, and enjoying this hot summer as much as I am.  As you know, this summer I have had the opportunity to travel across North America while living "comfortably" in our 1978 Volkswagen bus.  I hope you are enjoying our blog!


But can you imagine enduring the heat, rain, and mud of summer while sleeping on a mat on the dirt floor each night?  Well, that is the case for many impoverished families in Guatemala.  Children International and Aura's House are trying to raise $4200 to buy 40 of the neediest families a bed and mattress.  It is mostly the children who have to sleep on the floor, and this can affect not only their self-esteem but also their education, as a bad night's sleep can make it hard to pay attention in school the next day.


It's amazing the things we take for granted, isn't it?  Just a simple bed is an unimaginable luxury for some families.  It makes me realize how lucky I am to have all the things that I have.  I believe I was given a second chance at life after surviving that horrible car accident almost 3 years ago.  I have my health (some complaints here and there but it could be worse), I have the best partner anyone could have, and I am blessed with many AMAZING friends and family.


That is why I wanted to make my birthday an occasion to help others.  As I turn 28 years old on July 4th, I want to have the "ELIANA'S $28.28 FOR 28 CHALLENGE."  For my 28th birthday, I challenge my friends/family/any interested parties, if they are willing and able, to donate $28.28 on the Aura's House website as my birthday gift.  To learn more about this project, please visit  http://www.aurashouse.com, with specifics about the bed project here.  Of course, the donation doesn't have to be for $28.28 but I just thought that would be kind of cool.  
  If you are inspired to give more (or less), I would just ask that you please add the 28 cents at the end of whatever amount you give, so I will know it's for my 28th birthday.  It would be amazing if at least 28 people could donate!  

 

When you click on the "donate" link, you are taken to Children International's secure online giving page, and you will receive a printable tax receipt via email as soon as you donate.  Or if you prefer, you can also mail a check directly to Children International (mailing info here).  


I know rising gas and food prices are creating challenging times for people, but even "tough" times for most of us are way better than "good" times for people living in third world countries.  Summer is traditionally the slow season for charities but I know that I have great friends and I feel very positive about the challenge. 

 

Thanks for reading and for helping if you can.  Feel free to forward it along to others as well.  Together we can help some of the poorest kids in Guatemala City achieve the dignity and peace of mind that a real place to sleep provides!

 

Love,


Eliana


'What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.'

— Albert Pike