June 20th - July 6th. Bosnia isn’t in the news these days, but their problems continue. The displaced families are still living in refugee camps and abandoned houses. Reconstruction is very slow. Many of the families will never get back to the lives they once had. We got back from our third trip last month. This time we took 26 very large suitcases packed with medicine, toys and supplies (see list below) for the refugees. We also took enough money to buy eight goats and two stoves. which we bought in Bosnia and gave to families in Gradska that were doing without milk and unable to cook hot meals. We visited a hospital in Mostar where we delivered medicines that were in critically short supply. We also visited a refugee camp just outside of Mostar and gave out clothing, toys and other amenities. While we didn’t have enough to give out (as always seems to be the case), the fact that we were there and that we cared meant a lot to the refugees. We’ll be back! Our efforts are just a drop in the ocean when compared to the great need, but we know we are making a difference and that is what keeps us going. Hopefully you have the same feeling, because it was you that made this shipment possible. The things we bought were with money you donated and the things we took were from you. So once again we say thank you from our family and from the many refugee families whose lives you’ve touched.

Medicine ($42,000) · Medical Supplies · Baby Formula · Baby Clothes & Shoes · Shampoo & Soap · Bath Towels · Underwear · Scarves & Handkerchiefs · Vegetable Seeds · Musical Instruments · Stuffed Animals (100) · School Supplies · Toys · Berkinstock Sandals (30pr) · Tennis Shoes · Candy · Purchases in Bosnia: 8 Goats & 2 Stoves

So many people have made an extra effort to help us. We just wanted to give a special thanks to Clint & Yolanda Sprague of San Mateo for their incredible commitment to helping the refugees. Over this past year they alone collected, cleaned, sorted, and packed almost a half container of quality Winter clothing. They are two very special people.

You’ll recall that last year, Winter started in September. There were news reports of people being forced out of their homes and sleeping in the snow. That was when we started our drive for blankets and sleeping bags to take over last November. Now we’re collecting for containers that we want to ship in October and January. This time we won’t have the help of TV News coverage to get the message out like we did last year, but we will have an advertising agency. Progressive Marketing in San Francisco called us to offer their services in developing and coordinating an advertising campaign to help us. The cost to One Family is to be minimal. Of course we jumped at the offer and they have been busy designing and producing posters and voice and video ads ever since. They also been contacting radio and TV stations and businesses that have advertising space to donate. So far the response has been great. The campaign is scheduled to start September 15th. We are looking for storage space as we collect for these containers. If you know of available space (1200 Sq. Ft.) please contact us as soon as possible.

Excel, a discount long distance telephone company has offered us a percentage of the phone bills of anyone who signs up as a member of One Family. Hmmm, you’ll get discounted phone service and the refugees will get help - sounds like a no-brainer. We signed up and you can too! Let us know if you’re interested.

Baby Formula (no soy) · Disposable Diapers (infant to adult sizes) · Musical Instruments · Sports Equipment · Toys (frisbees, balls, barbie dolls, etc.) · Coloring Books & Crayons · School classroom supplies · Kitchenware (pots & pans, utensils, dishes, plastic bowls, etc.) · Metric Mechanic & home repair tools (all kinds) · Vitamins (children & adult) · Medical Equipment (Wheel Chairs, Crutches, EKG Machines, Etc.) · Medical Supplies · Medications (Antibiotics, Asthma, Blood Pressure, Heart, First Aid Kits, Snake Bite kits, etc.) · Socks (all sizes) · Underwear (Men, Women & Children - all sizes) · Jeans and Tennis Shoes (Like New) · Financial Assistance to purchase: Goats Refrigerators Stoves Flour, Sugar, Beans, Powdered Milk, Cooking oil, Etc. · Also, Financial assistance for shipping expense.