Dr.Tatiana Baeva | Director of International Operations

The word for Allies this year is “celebration,” and we are only able to celebrate because of your support. We were inspired to help orphans in 2011, but it was an overwhelming task, and there was no way we could do it ourselves. Then YOU answered the call, supported the mission, and continue to care for orphans around the world after all these years. It started with one university volunteer group and one orphanage in Voronezh, Russia in 2011. Currently, Allies is in 17 countries, over 119 orphanages, and helping almost 6,000 orphans! We’ve been very busy for 10 years and YOU made it all happen! Our mission was to reduce the amount of suffering on earth, helping as many children possible -- like Konstantin who lived in a Russian orphanage from 2012-2015:

Konstantin should have been another statistic, but your support spared him from a path that could have led to addiction, prison, or human trafficking. Instead, he now serves other orphans! We recently celebrated success stories like Konstantin’s with Decade of Impact events here in Mansfield, Texas and in Ukraine. More than 100 supporters came to our Mansfield event and showed us that while some may not understand the value of doing international work, clearly it’s important work to people like you. Your willingness to partner with us motivates us and lets us know we’re going in the right direction. And no matter what challenges came, like an unexpected pandemic, you never stopped giving, volunteering, or talking about Allies in your churches, or to others around you. So let me take this time to celebrate YOU -- our volunteers and donors who have such kind hearts, hardworking hands, and a constant willingness to care for others. May you never underestimate YOUR impact around the world these past 10 years!

You’re Invited to Annual Color Their World Event

Chris Burgin | Founder and CEO

It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since a tiny spark of an idea to help orphans has grown to 17 countries and counting. A big part of that growth began with a simple suggestion. I will never forget sitting in Pastor Randy Weeaks’ second office at McDonalds in early 2012 when he said, “Let’s have an Allies banquet!” I looked over at him and asked, “Do you think anyone would come”? He said they would --- and he was right! He kindly used his influence to spread the word about Allies in Youth Development and many came to that first annual Color Their World event. Since then, hundreds of people gather every September to hear the stories of changed lives and to give from their hearts and wallets to save the lives of children in hopeless situations. And it’s that time of year again!

It’s not too late to make plans to attend Color Their World on Sunday, September 19 at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Mansfield or The Hills Church in North Richland Hills. You can also host a watch party in your home or join us online with your family. Go to www.alliesyouth.org/banquet for more information.
Thank you for making this event a success year after year and for changing thousands of lives for 10 years!

Meet Jennifer Silvia

Jennifer Silvia recently joined the Allies staff as Donor Relations Associate. Like you, she has a passion to serve and make a difference in the lives of children. Jennifer is excited to bring her many years of marketing and communications expertise to Allies and looks forward to getting to know you, our donors.

Born and raised in Texas, Jennifer graduated from Texas State University with a B.S. in Communications. Jennifer lives in north Fort Worth with her husband, Steven, and they have two grown children. They are active members of Gateway Church.

You Donated Record Amount of Hygiene Kits for Orphans

Margie Brooks | Volunteer Coordinator and Office Manager

Christmas in July donations were off the charts thanks to YOU! We collected more than 1,000 kits and more than $3,000 to help cover costs of shipping all the items overseas. The kits filled with hygiene items like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, combs, washcloths, and small toys will be such a blessing to orphans in countries like Moldova, Ukraine, and Tanzania...just to name a few. A huge THANK YOU to those who partnered with us and held collections including area churches like Ash Lane United Methodist, First United Methodist Church, Heritage Church of Christ, Park Springs Bible Church, Pleasant view Baptist Church, The Hills Church, Sew Many Blessings and Walnut Ridge Baptist Church.

We’d also like to thank the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Christian School Cardinal Camp, and area businesses Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Minuteman Heating and Air, and Branson Dental for participating. We are touched by donations from far away --- Warrenton Community Church in Missouri and Sheri Czeczotka Gray who drove from Lubbock, Texas to donate hygiene kits and craft items! We can’t wait to share the smiles that these donations will bring to the faces of orphans around the world! Stay tuned and thank you again for providing for the needs of orphans and giving them joy!

You Inspired Others to Give

Heather Dunnaville | Staff Writer

Your generosity in the U.S. inspired our friends in Krasnodar to do their own summer Christmas to help others. Owners of a store in Krasnodar gave away Christmas candy that was left over from the holidays to families in need. Allies volunteers put together Christmas gift boxes and other groceries and delivered them to the homes of single-parent families and grandparents who are raising orphans. Your continued support makes blessings like this possible! Allies Krasnodar Area Leader, Galya, recently sent us a thank you for these special treats.

“I want to pass all the ‘thank-yous’ from our single moms to the Allies team and all the people who care for single moms.There was so much joy and excitement in those families. Kids all over the world love sweets and receiving them when you do not expect them is even more joyful and special! What a blessing!”

Please continue to pray for single mothers that, although they are single, they would never feel alone. And pray for strength for grandparents caring for their orphaned grandchildren. Thank you so much for caring and making a difference for many families in Krasnodar.

2021 Camps Provided Many Smiles, Unforgettable Moments

Nadia Dzhaparidze | Allies Staff

Thank you for helping us reach our goal of sending more than 600 children to summer camp this year! After most camps were cancelled last summer due to the pandemic, this special time was all the more exciting to the children you supported. For children who spent most of the year inside orphanage walls or those children from troubled homes who don’t receive proper love and care, summer camp brings joy for so many like Alina.

Alina, 15, has lived in an orphanage in Ukraine for four years and attended camp the past few years thanks to Allies partners like you. She has made many friends at camp and said it’s always fun and interesting.

“In the camp, I became friends with many mentors and maintained relationships, communicating with them all year. The most important thing is that here I personally met with Jesus, I found out who He is, how valuable He is to me.”

At camp, children get to see their friends and beloved leaders and mentors. Their days are full of fun and exciting events including lessons, crafts, games, time outside playing sports, swimming, playing team games and relay races. Most importantly, they hear the word of God and His love for them --- and YOU made all this happen for them in 2021!
Thank you for shining light in the lives of these children, many of whom have seen so much darkness. Your support gave these children unforgettable, happy memories.

Thank you!