During the summer, Christian Arnold launched a fundraising project to help orphanages and foster homes in Zimbabwe and he had a target goal in mind.

 

The Bridgeport resident and Notre Dame High School senior hoped to raise $5,000 and send 10 barrels of goods for chidren from infants to 18-year-olds.

 

Turns out it was no problem reaching that goal and he ended up far exceeding it.

 

Arnold said enough goods were donated to fill 18 barrels and there was still plently left over. That surplus is also going to help those need, just a little closer to home.

 

“We were able to accomplish more that I expected and I was so happy with the way my community stepped up, some of them I didn’t even know, but they were so generous and so giving,” Arnold said.

 

“ I’m really thankful it was such a success.”

 

“There was nothing needed that we didn’t get. We ended up with more items than we could send. We ended up with a lot of clothing and what we couldn’t send we gave to The Mustard Seed and Shepherd’s Corner.

 

“At the start, a lot of the itmes we received were from other charity groups. We didn’t want to make it harder for people to be able to get stuff locally so we were fortunate enough to replinish what they gave us and more.”

 

His goal of $5,000 ended up being $15,000. With the number of barrels increasing from 10 to 18, it cost more in shipping but there was still money leftover and that’s going to Zimbabwe as well. Several computers were donated and Arnold said the leftover money is being sent to help with the costs of setting up a computer lab.

 

Arnold said the barrels have been picked up and will eventually make it to North Carolina. From there they will shipped via boat to South Africa and then driven to to Zimbabwe.

 

The idea for helping out those in need in Zimbabwe came about from his relationship with Sister Maria and Sister Beritha at his church, Immaculate Conception in Clarksburg. Both sisters are members of the Sisters of the Child Jesus and they are still in touch with fellow sisters in Zimbabwe that work in orphenages and foster homes.

 

Arnold and his family plan to travel to South Africa and Zimbabwe alongside Sister Maria in the summer.

 

You can read more details about the project in an earlier story that appeared on Connect-Bridgeport HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Submitted photos.