HELP&F.A.Q.
Q: Where do I mail my donations?
Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots Inc.
P.O. Box 2219 Benton, AR 72015
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots, Inc.
Please be specific on the memo line, as to the purpose of the donation, such as the General Fund (or specifically for the Medical or Food Fund), Jodi's Fund or a specific child that is being sponsored. If you're sponsoring a child, please write the child's name in the memo line.
[Donation Page]
Q: May I volunteer? How do I get involved?
Yes, you may, but there are different times of the years when the
need is greatest. The best thing to do is fill out the volunteer form
and communicate directly with the office in Oaxaca as to the time that
you will be traveling there and the need that might exist at the time.
By volunteering at the office, one can take a tax deduction
proportionate to the amount of time that one volunteers. This might
reduce your travel, lodging and meal expense. Speak with a certified
tax accountant to see if this applies to you.
[Volunteering Page]
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Q: May I sponsor a child immediately?
[Sponsorship Page]
Children are added to our program usually before the beginning of
school. So the spring and summer tend to be the time that children and
their families are investigated regarding their need. Hence if you
inquire about sponsoring a child in November, it might be two to four
months before a child is assigned to you and you receive information
from the staff in Oaxaca regarding that child.
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Q: May I specify sponsoring a girl or boy?[Sponsorship Page]
| No, years of experience has shown us that the creator does not
allow us to specify the gender of the child that comes to us in need.
By allowing sponsors to choose the sex of the child, we often had to
pass over needy children. As an organization our mission is to provide
help to all needy children; thus, the decision was made to disallow the
choice of gender. You may specify a primary or secondary school child,
but the more requirements you make the longer it might take to fulfill
your request. |
Q: How might I develop a relationship with the child or their family?
The easiest way is to communicate via letter or card. We'll print your e-mails and give them to your children.
If you prefer the postal way, cards from the US cost 60 cents per ounce. It is best to mark the envelope "Air Mail" on both side.
A
simple birthday or holiday cards with photos of you and your family or
favorite pet, go a long way to establishing a relationship. For special
occasions as a birthday, you might also enclosed $5-10 in cash as a
gift. Larger gifts for the family, should be sent to the US Treasurer
with a note explaining the purpose. The funds will be deposited and
communicated to the office in the next deposit report. So for instance,
during the New Year holidays, you can mail a card with photos, but
gifts in excess of $10 or $20 should be run through the U.S. office,
thereby adding a level of security. Of course, traveling to Oaxaca and
spending time with the children and their families, as often as one can
afford the travel, is always encouraged and welcomed.
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Q: May I mail gifts?
Yes, but don't mail them to the US office. Mailing gifts or
articles of clothing to the office in Oaxaca might prove expensive
relative to the gift and it is possible that tariffs might be charged
to the office. Therefore, while you may mail gifts, cash gifts are
always the simplest and permit you child or the family to purchase what
they really need.
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Q: I do not live in the U.S. May I mail a foreign check?
Foreign checks, or checks that do not have an ABA (American Banking
Association) number will be sent out for "collections," of which the
fee can be as high as $60. Foreign checks, including Canadian, are
discounted at the prevailing currency exchange rated, typically at a
$15 charge. The simplest method of sending money from abroad is to send us money via our online tools. If that is not possible, you can purchase a bank or travelers check (American Express, Citibank, etc.)
that is drafted on a corresponding bank in the U.S. It can be mailed
regular post to the U.S. and there are no additional fees charged to
deposit this kind of check.
[Donation Page] |
Q: May I wire funds?
Yes, you may. Note that the sending and receiving banks do charge a
service fee, typically about one-half of 1 percent. If you are
interested in a wire transfer, e-mail us requesting wiring instructions.
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Q: May I donate stock or other securities?
Yes you may. If the securities are international in origin, you
might have to have your brokerage house liquidate them for you and then
wire the proceeds to our account in the US. Please email your interest
to us and we'll send instructions on donating securities.
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Q: Can I support my sponsored children in my will?
Yes, through a codicil, you can add Oaxaca Street Children,
Grassroots and your sponsored child to your will with specific
instructions for how the funds will be disbursed. For instance,
continuation of their education fees and the establishing of an
emergency fund for their family.
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