Nastenka News

The Nastenka Foundation

In 2000-2001 AWO members Janet Misamore and Gwen Reiber were taking Russian lessons from teacher, Jamila Aliyeva. They learned that Jamila had a 6 year old son who had cancer and passed away. Besides teaching Russian, Jamila spent her time at the Moscow Pediatric Oncology Institute helping support the children and their parents because they had been a part of her life for quite some time. Jamila decided that she wanted to do more for these families and with the help of AWO members Janet and Gwen, along with Professor Georgy Mentkevich, formed the Nastenka Foundation in 2002. The AWO has been helping support the needs of the children and their parents since 2002 with the annual AWO Craft Fair along with donations of food, detergents, and toiletries for the mothers and gifts for the children. We continue to support these children and parents by the love and smiles we show as we visit the hospital through our Sunshine Committee.

Ronald McDonald House built a kitchen in the hospital and we like to keep it filled with food and cleaning items that the mothers need daily. Please choose from the list below and if possible, bring your item(s) to any monthly general meeting at the Hard Rock Café or contact Morven, Anne, or Amy to arrange for pick up.


Here is the list of items needed:
Size 3 diapers
Small shampoos and lotions from hotel visits
Tide (powder)
Large trash bags
Dish soap
Flour (in a Ziploc bag please)
Sugar
Rice
Sunflower Oil
Pasta
Crackers and Cookies (no cream or chocolate please)
Black tea
Small juice boxes (anything except red juice please)


Monetary Donations:
Please remember that if you are unable to shop for needed items, a cash donation is always welcome at the Nastenka Foundation, as there is an ongoing need to purchase medicine for the children and unforeseen expenses for the parents. To help collect any cash donations look for our Nastenka Basket at every meeting. The basket will be on the table near the coffee, to collect any donations you would like to make. This past month over 7000 rubles was donated. Thank you so much ladies!!!