This is how you pack 200 pounds of school supplies and pen pal letters!

As we endeavor to build connections in the lovely village of Ivanchany, Ukraine, where the next Caminul Felix family village will be, we want everyone around us to see that we are good neighbors. One of the reasons we've chosen the land in Ivanchany is that there is an elementary and middle school just a few hundred meters from where our children and their parents will be living. Amazing!

Grant Elementary School here in our hometown of Petaluma, California did a pencil bag drive. Parents and children from all three 4th grade classes put these together to encourage and support the children in Ivanchany. They wrote letters and included all kinds of school supplies and little extras (not to mention pictures). They wanted to let them know that they are not forgotten! It was my sincere pleasure to deliver them in person.

Perhaps the Grant Shamrocks will become a sister school to this small elementary and middle school in the heart of a war-torn nation. Thank you to my wife, Wendy, and all the parents, kids and teachers at Grant for their kindness. Hopefully soon they will hear back from their new Ukrainian friends!