ALASKAN FRIENDS OF CHUKOTKA
April 2004 NEWSLETTER
Coordinator Nancy M. Mendenhall
P.O. box 1141 Nome, Alaska 99762
(907) 443-2455
nfnmm@yahoo.com
If you would like to be on our list to receive this newsletter
by
e-mail, send a message to e-mail address above.
For general information about Chukotka: www.faculty.uaf.edu/ffapg/chukotka.html
For specific information about our direct mailing network and how to
mail
gifts: www.uuff.org/chukotka
APRIL 2004
Dear AFOC Network:
Water is running down the street so I think it is finally spring here
in Nome. With the increasing violence in Iraq, it is hard to be a
passive observer, to say nothing of any of you who may have friends or
families involved over there-our heartfelt sympathy. At least we know
that we are making some families' lives better in Chukotka. We have
received nineteen letters this spring so far, and no doubt you all have
received some too. Most were grateful thank youís, some new ones. A
youth service group here is coming to help pack boxes next week. We
know of 45 boxes that were mailed since January 21 of them went to
schools--mainly clothing for distribution--the rest to families. Thanks
to every one of you who put out all the effort, time, and funds for
this!
We received more excellent yarn from Naomi (and knitted items)
that has gone right out, and I want to especially thank Carl W. of Los
Angeles this time for his big contribution of $1000 for postage. This
is the fourth year he has been giving major help to this project, after
he traveled on a cruise ship up the Chukotka coast, stopped in some
villages, and met families.
Thanks also to all of you who contributed to the Kaira Club
youth project to help them extend a little longer into summer. We
raised $600 and wired it today, also $1960 from sales of the calendars
the kids made. One of the villages in that project, Uelkal, reported
that they were all out of baby and toddler clothes in the local store
and three of our sites sent off many boxes to help with that immediate
problem. If any of you sent boxes last fall and winter and have
not heard yet from the receivers, and you want me to try to track them
down, I will try. I don't mind writing letters. Somtimes I can get a
message thru via
email.
I will be traveling for almost a month starting on April 18, and
will be off the web, so I will talk to you when I return 5/15. In the
meantime, you can reach Michele at her new email address at mmp919 @
msn.com if you have a question. But don't forget to check our website
first for any questions regarding mailing. Remember to be careful on
your box dimensions. I will warn you again that postal clerks can make
mistakes in looking up rates. The PO rates for economy parcel post have
not gone since last year for international mail. A 20 lb box should be
$48 and a 30 lb box $64.
We received the good news that several hunters are coming across
to Nome in June for a walrus conference and will be able to take many
things home freight-free. So even though we are about out of postage
money right now, we are not out of business!
Enjoy your spring, and thank you again for all of your continuing
support to this valuable project!
Nancy
AFOC January 2004 Newsletter
AFOC
September 2003 Newsletter
AFOC October 2002 Newsletter
AFOC August 2002 Newsletter
AFOC June 2002 Newsletter
AFOC March 2002 Newsletter
AFOC January 2002 Newsletter
AFOC October 2001 Newsletter
AFOC September 2001 Newsletter
AFOC July 2001 Newsletter
AFOC April 2001 Update
AFOC February 2001 Newsletter
AFOC January 2001 Newsletter
AFOC December 2000 Newsletter
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