Two local social workers are doing some fundraising this Christmas season to pay for a trip to Haiti to help orphaned children there.
Wendy Pawelko, and her daughter Chelsea McMillan Grande, say they want to help orphaned children in Haiti. They are gathering funds so they can go to Haiti by August 2012 to help with the God's Little Angels orphanage there.
"We were really, I guess, surprised at the really bad situation that the kids have over there," said Pawelko.
Both she and Chelsea have made arrangements to volunteer at the orphanage for two weeks.
To pay for it, they are seeking any donations, and are also selling a number of Christmas items and baking, with the profits all going towards the Haiti trip.
The items include making and selling "Christmas presents" that are lit from within, which they say can be used as centerpieces or table decorations.
Other items they are selling including little girls' Christmas dresses size 2, 4, and 6, ballerina outfits, wall decorations to organize and show off jewelry and barrettes, reusable fabric gift bags, aprons and many other hand crafted items.
There is also lots of baking available. Pawelko said she'll be continuing with the baking well after the Christmas season to continue to raise the funds.
The two social workers are receiving generous support from several people in the community who have donated the items for sale to help their cause. One item available is a "special family secret" recipe for healthy dog treats from Wendy's husband Frank. These come with a money back guarantee.
"My grandchildren are suggesting calling this 'Goodies and Gifts by Grandma,'" Pawelko said of the sale, which will be going on throughout the Christmas season.
Anyone interested in purchasing the items or helping in any way with donations can call Wendy at 445-4007.
