By Patti Mangan | VIDA Board Member
Hello Supporters/Donors!
Just a brief note catching you up on our latest progress in Chile.
Two jammed packed containers carrying $5.9 million in aid cleared customs and arrived at FEDES' (VIDA's Chilean representative) warehouse in July 2012.
The first container carried medical supplies and equipment to benefit the numerous clinics in the suburbs of Santiago. These clinics serve some of the poorest people in the country. The value of the shipment exceeded just over $1,000,000 and included over 2,000 surgical kits, 10 exam tables, and 8 gurneys and 2 operating tables.
In collaboration with the Gymboree Corp., the second container VIDA shipped was brand new childrens clothing manufactured by Gymboree. The shipment contained over 250,000 garments, footwear and bedding with a retail value of $4.9 million. VIDA and FEDES continue in the process of distributing the donations to 30+ institutions serving Chile's most impoverished citizens including hospitals, clinics, orphanages and schools serving tens of thousands of people.
This donation was also made possible by the generous support of Otis McAllister a San Francisco based import/export company that underwrote all transportation costs for these two shipments. Coupled with the donations from the GlobalGiving community to offset the import fees, tens of thousands of children are dressed in warm clothing this cold winter season.
Your GlobalGiving donations make it possible to deliver the containers to Chile. Last year we shipped 41 containers to Latin America, including Peru, Ecuador and Haiti. Our goal for 2012 is 50 containers. We are capable of delivering 70+containers of supplies but must raise the funds for each container. Delivery of the containers cost about $7,500 based on shipping and import fees.
On average, for every $1 donated, VIDA sends over $150 in aid!
VIDA and FEDES are currently working on shipments of medical aid scheduled for Fall including another Gymboree donation that is slated to arrive just in time for the holiday season.
If the company you work at is in a position to sponsor a container - please give us a call to discuss the details.
Thank you all for your on-going support. We still need your help! You are making a difference!
Links:
By Adam See | Executive Director
By Adam See | Executive Director
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