Update

I just wanted to share an update with the current amount Wyatt has raised for Open Arms Home for Children.

Drumroll . . . as of today, the estimated total is $320.00 US dollars. That's a whole heck of a lot more than pocket change!

Here is one of the many emails that we've received, with the name deleted for privacy:

"Hey buddy. Good job in working with your mom to get your blog set up and the donation link going. **** and I were on the Open Arms website tonight and donated $50. Most kids your age just think about playing video games, watching TV and playing sports.....you are truly a special kid! We love you and are proud of you......Keep up the good work!"

And this is just one of the many. I can't express how grateful I am to each and every one of you who has left supportive comments and donations because of this. Wyatt gets so excited when I tell him that there has been another contribution, comment or email about the children's home.

You can donate here, if you wish.

And remember, you can reach me (us) at blankenship.carrie[at]yahoo.com if you'd like to privately mention your donation, or if you have any questions.

It's Kick Off Time!

I am happy to announce that Wyatt has given his donation to The Open Arms Home for Children, in the sum of twenty of his hard-earned, nine-year-old boy dollars!

Within minutes, we matched his donation and so did his grandparents, which automatically increases his original contribution to $80! I know that it may not seem like a lot, but just as $20 was a lot to a 3rd grader, any amount we can generate for the incredible work that is being done by this organization in South Africa, will make a large difference in the lives of the children whom they serve.

I have tried, but not been able to set up a way of tracking the donations given solely via Wyatt's blog, but in the end, I don't think the monetary number is what really matters in terms of the outcome. What matters is that Wyatt inspired others to give, whatever they can, to a cause that is near and dear to all of our hearts: the future of children.

And that is the only outcome that matters to him.

So, if you are still so inclined, please click here to donate. This link will bring you directly to the donation page of the Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa.

If you could comment, just to say that you donated (you don't have to disclose the amount unless you want to, we understand that some things are private) that would be wonderful. I may also be reached by email at blankenship.carrie{at}yahoo.com if you'd like to let me know that way. Or, if you want to comment just to tell Wyatt to "keep up the good work," he would really appreciate that too!

And thank you, thank each and every one of you who has visited and left support in the past few weeks for Wyatt. Hopefully this is just the beginning of many, many good things to come, for all of us.

We will keep the link active until the end of the month, hopefully giving everyone time to donate. If more time is needed, we'd be more than happy to extend the deadline.

March 1, I will post an estimate of the donations generated so that we can all see just how much of a difference we made, together. Thank you, again, for all your support.

Making Decisions

"If you could bottle the enthusiasm of a child . . . the world would be a better place."

Wyatt has been talking and talking about kids in South Africa. We've been trying to give him time to make a decision that he is comfortable with regarding his donation, and I really think the time has come.

He is ready.

Last night we had dinner at my parents' house and my mom asked him about his goals and about The Open Arms Home for Children.

"I want them to have an education."

"This charity is good because it goes right to the kids. You don't give money to a secretary who pays herself before giving the money to the home. They get it right away."

"They get other stuff too, stuff to help them."

"Yes, they are orphans."

These are just a few of his answers, which I think best sum up why this is so important to him.

After they had heard his reasons, without me butting in and offering my own two cents (my, how it was hard not to do this!), they both got their into their pocket books and handed him their donations.

In doing this, affirming that he was not, indeed, a lone soldier giving to this charity - showing him that one child can make a difference and will make a difference.