"A Bed For Every Child” - is an opportunity to make a long term difference in the crucial developmental years of a children living in severe poverty. The blessing of these cribs and bunk beds improve health, restful sleep for growth and school achievement, and building of faith and hope for the future.

Often these simple, sturdy beds are the only items of furniture in a tiny shack with dirt floors. And, on return trips, even years later, we find that these beds are still there used each day as a very special place for a child to sleep, to play, to study, and to pray. Each bed or crib costs $85. Softly International has placed over 3,000 beds in street shelters, hospitals, orphanages, and individual family dwellings in Honduras and Costa Rica.

The Paradox of Poverty in Paradise
 

Many people have asked Softly International about combining their own participation in the SOFTLY International service project. Members from Unity of Fairfax have traveled to South America to deliver and assist assembling beds. We have learned firsthand that Softly International reaches out to the poorest children and their families in Central and South America. It was a very gratifying experience and, we would encourage other churches and civic associations to consider what role they could pursue.

Our Shared Vision is "Each child in the Global family throughout the world can have their own bed to improve health and provide security and quality rest which promotes education, hopes and dreams."

Come and join us for an evening of celebration, fun, and Broadway music, mostly about love. 100% of the cost of your ticket will go to Softly International for the express purpose of providing a bed for every child. If you are unable to attend but would still like to support our efforts, please make your contribution payable to Unity of Fairfax and write “A bed for every child” in the remarks section and mail it to:

Unity of Fairfax
2854 Hunter Mill Rd
Oakton, VA 22124

We wish to express our deep appreciation to you who have given your time and financial support to make 2005 a banner year for SOFTLY’s A Bed For Every Child  program. We have surpassed all previous years in our number of beds delivered. Our program in Costa Rica continues to give us a solid foundation. In partnership with other service agencies, schools and business leaders, we have established an ongoing program of regular bed deliveries. Key support in Costa Rica comes from the Salvation Army; ICADS, an international language school; as well as, a local mattress manufacturer who has worked with us for over 8 years.

Our working relationships with governments, businesses and other service agencies make each dollar you donate go further. For example, the local government and businesses of Roatan give us free transportation, storage and delivery of our bed frames and mattresses. We have launched an exciting pilot program on the Island of Roatan, thanks to a dedicated task force of volunteers who went there last November to deliver 40 beds. They opened their hearts, saw a need, and in less than one year they have provided beds for 250 more children on the island. It is truly amazing, to see a small group of people give so much, and they have only just begun. Who said, “Never doubt what a small group of dedicated people can do.” If you are looking for something exciting to do in 2006, join our bed builds on the beautiful island of Roatan.

Our activity in Costa Rica and Roatan has not slowed our efforts in other places. We delivered 520 beds to the mainland of Honduras, of which 400 went to a government shelter for street children, 64 to an orphanage in the jungle area, 32 to a center for children with AIDS, and 24 to individual families. In Peru we delivered 120 mattresses along with 300 magic dream pillows. These programs are a stepping stone for our 2006 plans to expand in other countries throughout Central and South America.

Our mission is clear and easy to understand--we provide beds to children who have none. Since half of the children in the world sleep on a dirt surface, we recognize this is a very tall order! It can not be done without your help. For example, your gift of $85 provides one bed, $255 provides beds for three children, and of course, a larger donation will help us multiply the number of beds we deliver in 2006. We need your money, your time as a volunteer and your support in networking here at home. Invite us to speak at your church, your clubs, and your social groups; plus, please consider joining us on a bed build.

If you are at a loss for a gift to someone you love, donate a bed. Donate one, two, ten or whatever. Give a bed in their name, be it one person or ten, we will honor them with a beautiful SOFTLY, International certificate. One of our valuable donors gave 100 beds to his family and friends last Christmas. Generous--Yes! But what a difference it made. As SOFTLY moves into its 9th year, let’s work together to secure our future loving our children. One by one we can lift a child with our love.

Thank you for your support!

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