Dear Friends, Sponsors, Volunteers, Adoptive Families, and Colleagues!

Ark Mission began organizing Summer Program 2008 for children
in Russian orphanages including children with special needs.

Summer is just around the corner and all of us are enthusiastically awaiting the arrival of the warm sunny days! Ark Mission is glad to inform that we received a request from Russia. From the request we learned that Russian officials were amazed at the positive impact that the Summer Program 2006 and 2007 had on the children who were involved in the summer camp. Russian officials asked us to participate in Summer Program 2008 and make a memorable summer for the children.

You are probably familiar with our stories from the summer camps we did in the previous years. This year we would like to expand our program and involve more children to ensure that they are receiving an unforgettable and quality summer vacation. In the previous years we had 120 children who attended the summer camp, but this year we are hoping to have more than 2,000 children. Ark Mission is planning to work simultaneously in several different camps.

Each one will have a specially designed program that will be based on the children’s health, age, and the size of the group. Ark Mission is going to organize programs such as art therapy, music therapy, children’s theater, sport adventures, etc. Ark Mission is planning to provide children with nutritious meals that will be served five times a day. We are also going to give children clothing, basic hygiene products, and supplies for all projects. One of our goals is set on making a camp for children with special needs. We want to provide these children with a full supply of items that are specifically adapted to their individual needs. In United States, these items are a realistic tool for children with special needs but in Russia they simply don’t exist. Ark Mission wants to give these children extra assistance and supplies with adaptations that will help them make progress in all areas of development. We are also going to invite specialists to those camps where children with special needs are undergoing rehabilitation and help them receive the care and help that they require. Ark Mission is determined to organize a summer program that will raise children’s self-esteem, increase and strengthen their immune system, and prepare them for the next school year.

Ark Mission is going to work closely with Department of Education who will provide some support for the Summer Program 2008. Children in Russia are eagerly anticipating the opening of this year’s summer camp, and their hearts are filled with desire to create new memories of a wonderful vacation! These children do not have many opportunities for a chance at a healthy and cognitively productive vacation, which is why we ask you to give these children a great summer that they will cherish in their hearts for many years to come. We understand that all of us have busy lives filled with life’s challenges and obstacles, but to these children even a moment of your attention and sincere will to help is greatly appreciated! We want to include over 2,000 children in our Summer Program 2008, but we cannot do it without your help!

Here is what you can do to be a part of this wonderful experience:

Ark Mission is kindly asking you to donate money so that we can purchase perishable goods and other necessities in Russia. Last year, Ark Mission had a problem transporting our missionary luggage. Russian customs did not allow us to bring all of our donations and seven big bags with clothing, shoes, and other supplies were left in the airport. This year we are requesting donations in the form of financial support so that we can purchase these items in Russia. This way we can make sure that children receive all of the help and support given by the generosity of people who donated and volunteer.

Money donations will be used towards:

1. Nutritious meals: yogurt, fruits, juices, good quality meat, and other vitamin
   and mineral rich food that is not readily available to these children during
   the school year.
2. Special Needs Items for children with special needs. These items will open the
   doors of knowledge and a chance for developmental growth for children
   with special needs!
3. Clothing and shoes. These are one of the most important necessities that children simply can’t do without. We will need to buy shoes for every single child in the region, this is the only way we can ensure that it is the right size for their feet. Unfortunately, many children in the orphanages are forced to wear shoes that are not their size.
4. We will also need money to invite specialists that will work with the children
   who have special needs.
5. Supplies for camp activities: art supplies, music instruments, theater decorations
   and costumes, items for active play, etc.
6. We need money for transportation in the region so that we can take children to the
   local theaters, circus, and other field trips.
7. Medical assistance for all orphan children. Ark Mission will invite medical staff
   and other professionals who will monitor children’s health and provide care if necessary. Money will also be used to purchase vitamins and first-aid kits.

Donate clothing and other items such as T-shirts, shorts, dresses for girls, bathing suits, soccer uniforms, sandals (please do not send flip-flops), toothbrushes (please do not send toothpaste, because it will be purchased in Russia), hair ties, colorful children’s Band-Aids, bandanas, theater costumes, etc.

*** Before you decide to donate clothing and other items
             please call or e-mail us to see what items are still needed.
*** Children range from age 3 to 14 years old.

• If you have any other ideas or suggestions please send them to us by e-mail office@adoptionark.org or call 1-847-279-0502.
  
• Special needs program will be supervised by Kim Fury.
  
• e-mail:kim@adoptionark.org or call: 1-877-213-1444.
  

We cannot achieve these great heights without your support, so please help us bring the gift of a memorable summer camp experience to these children!

Thank you in advance for your help!