Gifts To Fight The Darkness Outpouring Of Aid Continues For Romanian Orphans, Poses Shipping Problems
The Inland Northwest’s outpouring of support for the orphans of Romania created a problem Wednesday for relief workers - finding a way to get the aid overseas in a timely manner.
Spurred by a Spokesman-Review special report on the plight of the orphans, area residents donated 8,100 pounds of merchandise and $42,000 in cash during the last three days.
The report, “Into the Heart of Darkness,” was published Sunday.
The barrage of support continued Wednesday at the stained-glass studio of Anni Ryan Meyer, one of a small group of Spokane volunteers trying to end the suffering.
While one telephone was ringing with offers of more gifts, Ryan Meyer was dialing another, trying to find help in shipping the goods already collected.
Ryan Meyer and fellow volunteer Celeste Shaw leave today on another relief mission to Romania.
They hoped to take all 117, 70-pound boxes of donated clothing, toiletries and toys crammed in Ryan Meyer’s garage with them, or at least have it arrive in Romania during their eight-day stay.
That way, the pair could make sure the merchandise got to the desperate children.
Ryan Meyer talked to everyone from the U.S. Air Force to the Ross Perot campaign seeking assistance in getting the boxes shipped in a speedy manner.
As of late Wednesday, she’d had no luck.
That means some of the merchandise will be shipped to Romania sometime in the near future, and it will be up to officials there to distribute it.
Ryan Meyer said she would take as much of the merchandise as she could today, including shoes, coats and $9,000 in medicine.
Many of the orphans have a skin disease called scabies, which opens itchy sores on their bodies, and all have lice. Most of the children have no shoes or warm clothes. “If I have to ask every person on the airplane to carry a tube of medicine, I’ll do it. If I have to ask this person to take these shoes and that person to take that coat and another person to hold a stuffed animal, I’m getting it there,” she said. “Come hell or high water, I’m taking this stuff with me.”
Nearly 40 people spent most of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning boxing up the donated material at Ryan Meyer’s house.
“There were people I didn’t even know. It was glorious,” said Ryan Meyer, who hasn’t slept in at least two days. “My house looks like a frat party was held there.”
Ryan Meyer said Wednesday every donated item will help the Romanian orphans, who pass their days hungry, in urine-stained clothes.
“One more pair of shoes is such a big difference, one more pair of socks,” she said, her voice quavering with emotion. “It all helps.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo