From Westminster to Haiti:
God's Littlest Angels Orphanage
Several members of Westminster’s Aubuchon family have committed to helping the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the recent horrific earthquake. Led by Gretchen Aubuchon, this group has committed to coordinating a shipment of relief supplies to Haiti, with Aubuchon Hardware in full support of Gretchen's leadership of this initiative.
This shipment will be sent to God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage. The orphanage is located in the mountains above Pétion-Ville, close to the village of Fermathe. The majority of the children brought to the orphanage are between the ages of newborn and 7 years old. The orphanage does have older children, sibling groups, and children with special needs also waiting for adoptive parents. They provide adoptions to the United States through Bethany Christian Services.
From Orphanage Director Dixie Bickel after the second earthquake hit Haiti in one week..."Another earthquake just hit Haiti. I was in the kitchen at 6:10 AM when another large earthquake registering 6.1 shook the house for several seconds. It built up just like the big one on Tuesday. It did not last as long but all children are again outside on the driveway! It rained last night so the children are outside and it is cold and wet! Pray for us!" - From Dixie, posted on glahaiti.org
Founders John and Dixie Bickel, along with their children, came to Haiti in 1991. The Bickels are originally from Illinois. In 1995, the Bickels adopted Steeve and Markenson, two of the babies from their nursery. Before serving in Haiti, John worked for GTE. Today, John serves as Field Director for the mission. With his knowledge in electronics and maintenance, he also performs the much needed task of equipment maintenance and repair.
Dixie is a registered nurse and has 30 years of experience in pediatrics and intensive care nursing. She serves as the Orphanage Director. Dixie was interviewed by telephone on the Today Show shortly after the earthquake. Although the orphanage is likely to receive more donations due to publicity on national TV in the United States, it is also sad but true that they will likely be getting as many new orphans as they can handle due to the earthquakeand need every bit of help they can get.
God’s Littlest Angels has ministered to the children of Haiti since 1994 and has been involved in international adoptions since 1997. GLA is involved in several children’s ministries in the local community. In the year 2000, God's Littlest Angels implemented a school sponsorship program for children unable to attend school due to the lack of funds. Today, more than 200 children attend school sponsored by people in North America and Europe.
People from Westminster (and surrounding towns) are encouraged to bring any of the items listed below to the Aubuchon Hardware Distribution Center at 95 Aubuchon Drive (off of West Main Street) between Door 29 and Door 30 (across from the gas pumps). There is a designated spot for donations and people are encouraged to bring any of the following items Monday through Friday from 7am until 4pm. The planned shipping date is February 15th.
Items Needed: Diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, baby rice cereal, infant and children’s vitamins and baby care items.
Although there are other efforts asking for clothing and medical supplies, this shipment will be specifically for the orphanage and will consist only of items that are listed above. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation of funds to the orphanage, visit any page on their website and click Donate Now to send money through PayPal or send checks to:
God's Littlest Angels
2085 Crystal River Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
From GLA's website: We are excited to move forward with the next two buildings - the "Baby House" and the "Guest House". We have named this fundraising effort "Building Foot by Foot", and look forward to seeing it take shape. The "Baby House" floor plan has been printed with each square foot detailed on a grid. We want to give you the opportunity to invest in the lives of the children at God's Littlest Angels by purchasing one (1) square foot at $35.00 for the new orphanage. Perhaps you can purchase one square foot each month. Or, you could recruit a business or home builder to purchase a whole room! You will recieve an income tax receipt and a certificate listing how many square feet you bought.
Aubuchon Hardware customers can now donate cash at the register at any of their 125 stores. Money donated will be used to purchase supplies, of which they already have 18 pallets and ten more on the way! "Every bit helps! Keep spreading the word! Here's a picture of the progress we have already made and more is on the way," according to Will Aubuchon. People interested in donating can also order from www.diapers.com and have supplies shipped directly to Aubuchon Hardware Distribution Center at 95 Aubuchon Drive, Westminster, MA 01473, ATTENTION: HAITI RELIEF.
God’s Littlest Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian ministry incorporated in the State of Colorado. In 2000, GLA Canada was formed and is a registered Canadian Charity. In an effort to expedite this project, I have taken some facts from the Orphanage’s website, where much more information is available.