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When Father Frank Colacicco gave a passionate lecture on 15,000 orphaned and abandoned children in South America, little did he know that it would result in over 3,000 lbs. of goods being delivered from across the continent. After Salvatore Ferrante and his wife, Ann, heard the story they were so moved that they organized their community to action, sending off six truckloads of new and used items. It all started when Father Frank Colacicco recently visited an orphanage run by a fellow priest and friend Father William Wasson. Father Wasson has provided a safe refuge and homes for over 15,000 orphaned and abandoned children in Mexico, Honduras, Haiti, Guatemala and Nicaragua since 1954. Funded by donations received from a network of nonprofit organizations around the world, these orphanages struggle to supply the best possible care to these disadvantaged children. |
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| Father Colacicco described the hardships of the children he had visited in the village of Rivas, Nicaragua. The orphanage, "Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos" was in need of children shoes, clothes, medicine, baby supplies and school materials. And so began the Ferrante's mission.
Since Salvatore is Vice-President of Sales for Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage, he knew he had the resources to get the goods delivered, but first they needed the items -- that's where his wife Ann came in. The project was discussed at the local Italian Catholic Federation meeting, of which Ann is an officer. Volunteers were signed up and word spread within the town of Danville, California. Friends, merchants, neighbors, parishioners and classmates all joined in the collection effort. Six truckloads of new and used items converged into the Ferrante's garage. For the next three weeks, friends gathered at the Ferrante's to undertake the huge task of sorting, washing, mending, cleaning and packing the goods. In all, 88 cartons weighing over 3000 lbs were prepared. |
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At Crown Worldwide Moving and Storage, Bob and Janet Bowen personally assisted with the translation and transport details of the shipment. Josie Longton, a long time Crown Manager, donated many hours of time preparing documents and helping with the complex custom requirements in place for the importation of donated goods into Nicaragua.
"People with the means to make a contribution have a responsibility to take action in what ever way they can" said Salvatore Ferrante as the shipment was crated for transport." We have a great deal to be thankful for, everyone involved in this effort has grown closer." In Managua, the good work and careful handling by Mudanzas Mundiales and their company President Mr. Carlos J. Zuniga proved invaluable. A Mudanzas crew transported the goods 100 kilometers south to San Jorge, where Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) personnel received the goods for the children. Mr. Daniel Toledo of NPH managed the delivery and distribution within the orphanage. |
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 As Ann Ferrante viewed the pictures of the happy faces of the children, she said, "This mission was a rewarding experience for everyone involved. I would like to do more."
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