Loloma Foundation ships two Relief Containers June 4 th!

Bula Vinaka Friends,

After our extremely successful January 2004 adventure (See January 2004 edition.) The Loloma Foundation’s Board of Directors felt it was time to begin shipping a container twice a year.

Little did we know what was coming!

See images of volunteer work

The “Texas Tornado,” Allison Batlin, began to work on pulling together another shipment. As close as 60 days ago she wondered to several Board members whether we would be able to fill the container. Things began to happen--- an article in the Austin American Statesman. We started to get donations of goods from people and companies all over Texas and the United States. Wheelchair companies in San Antonio, Educational Publishers in Monterey, CA, a very generous benefactor in Huntington Park California, Medical suppliers from across the country.   The boxes kept coming, and coming.   Packed very tightly with drugs, basic antibiotics, bandages and most of all LOVE. Gifts “From the Heart”

The process of collecting all of this material is quite interesting. From Austin and San Diego to Los Angeles. Air freight is graciously provided by Southwest Airlines. Volunteers pick up the shipments at LAX and bring them to BBB Packers (www.tripleb.com) where they are warehoused and sorted for the ocean voyage.

This is the way it is “supposed” to work.   However, a very curious thing happened this week. The International Relief Team has graciously agreed to “sponsor” the cost of shipping our container (http://www.irteams.org).

When Board Members Lance Hendricks and Bob Sykes went to BBB to inspect the cargo it was obvious that the Foundation easily had two containers of goods.   After several “intense” phone calls it was decided that this shipment was to good to wait another 6 months.   Two FULL containers will head to Suva on June 4 th.   Wonderful News!!!

Thanks to the many kind donations of individuals the funds are available to pay for the second container.   However, it does clean our bank account.  

We need your help to pay for some of the “hard” expenses clearing the containers in Fiji.   Whatever you can donate at www.lolomafoundation.org/donate   will make a significant difference.  

All team members pay their own way for each Loloma undertaking.

During the first 3 weeks of July there will be a team of 11 including Board members Dr. P. Lance Hendricks, Dr. Phil Higginbottom and Allison Batlin. Distributing goods, holding clinics and doing the Loloma   Magic!

Vinaka Vaka Levu

Loloma Board of Directors