I hope to be arriving (flying AE)on Monday the 16th and I have a piece of luggage which is only half full.

If you are on Bonaire need anything let me know.

Can I fit in there Tom, I can fold myself up mighty small (NOT). Been back in USA a week, missed the "Janet Jackson second", work sucks ("No boss, I didn't say that"), bored with politics. Maybe i can make myself that small if it's a big bag.

Have a grand time

Gouda Gary

One might argue whether said suitcase is half full or half empty.

Tom, I'm probably smaller than Joe and I won't want to take all that cheese, so will fit more nicely in the luggage, please take me!

Actually, if you get no takers on things folks need, throw in any used clothing, towels, or other items that the kids at the Hoppner Foundation They could use the following (from their website):

Games to play with (dominos with pictures for little children, 4-in-a-row)
Basketball, soccer ball, big soft ball
Glue
Coloring pens
Other handicraft items (colored paper, wool, paint, paint brushes)
Fishing gear (line, hooks, etc.)
Rubber boat with paddles
Pump (for balls and bicycle tires)
Simple camera to make pictures of special events (birthdays, etc.)
Blank video tapes (either PAL or NTSC)
Kids' game CD-roms
Hat racks (for 13), towel racks, clothes, or wall decorations for the childrens' bedrooms
Posters (for boys)
Pots for plants
Gift Wrapping Paper
Banners (for birthdays and other party occasions)
Frying pan
Industrial fryer (for making french fries for about 15 persons)
Simple microwave
Baking tins (for pies, cakes, cupcakes)
Electric hand mixer

In fact, if you have room, I'll buy a waterproof throw away camera and send it to you if you have the room, and the time to drop it off

Brian, It is half full, when I am back a week, it will be half empty.

Joe, Thanks, I always have a great time on Bonaire.

Cynde, There will be cheeze in my luggage, just not that orange stuff Joe so adores.

And thanks for reminding me of the kids. I am printing out that list to see what I can find at Cos-Depot.

Tom, I'll send the camera tomorrow If you don't have room, give it to your kids to take some pics

I will have room.

I will have the following by Saturday night:

Pump with adapters for balls, tires, etc.
Frying Pan
Coloring pens
Glue

If I pick up an electric mixer, will it work on Bonaire or will it burn out?

Tom, you are the best! I'm sure those kids will be so happy to have these items I'll put the camera in the mail tomorrow (I think I'll pick up some wrapping paper that comes in the flat sheets too

Cynde oh Deitous One

You make me feel so guilty. Much better to help the kids than ship half of me (even though I made it two weeks without velveeta so I'm considerably smaller NOT). Glad that Tom can take some stuff

weak cheese

Hi Tom,
I have a US hand mixer and a KitchenAid Pro here. Both are doing fine even after 5 plus years. I run both off a transformer. The KitchenAid gets warm but I can use it non-stop for kneading bread dough for 10 minutes - no problem. You might want to contact Elly and see what kind of power they have in the house. In the funky land of Bonaire, you never know if its 127 or 220 or some bizzare combination of plugs. A European 220/50 would be the safest but I don't think you can buy them here in any case.

Hi Linda,
Thanks for the suggestion. I just e-mailed inquiring about the mixer and the best time to stop by with the stuff for the children.

I just got back from one of my friends sporting goods store. She and her fiance visited Bonaire last year. When she heard who the soccer balls were for, the dear lady let me have them at wholesale. This is going to allow me to get more stuff for the kids. Too Sweet!!!!

Cynde, You started this, so tell Michael you have to deliver some flowers as I might run out of space. I asked my dive companions if they had any extra space in their luggage if they would carry some stuff. I about wet my pants when one of them responded "T, how are you going to get a bicycle in your luggage." I had to tell him to get some glasses as it was a bicycle pump, not a bicycle I had picked up:-{)}Bet he will read my e-mails better next time.

Good day all.

Tom, that's great! Isn't it wonderful when folks help out for a good deed!

What type of flowers would you like?

Cynde, Sure is. Instead of flowers maybe I should have said "Plants" Any type as long as you bring them. Heck Michael can come along too. More people = more "Plants" delivered.

I have not heard back from the M.H.F. so I am going to chance it and get the mixer tonight.

Cynde, thanks for the list. I will be following my fellow Vermontah, Tom, in a few days and have just returned from shopping for items for "the kids." In the past we have taken school supplies to Grenada and Belize and having a specific list made this easy -- thanks!

Great work Tom and Susan (and a couple of lurkers that emailed me ;-)

Cynde,

Delivery was made to G. Michael earlier today. He is graciously holding the goodies for us until the director of the M.H.F. picks it up. The director had requested that no one go to the house at this time.

Now to start acquiring stuff for the next trip.

Susan,

Nice to see you and Mark. Wish it could have been for a longer visit.

Let's tell everyone the island was cold wet and miserable.

Tom

Tom, sounds a bit complicated! I"m glad your luggage and the goodies made it, and I'm sure that G. Michael will make the drop

So, diving must be HORRIBLE...right? ;-)

Tom, maybe G. Michael can post when the items have been picked up?