I come from a large itallian family. Almost everyone lives in New York, save for me out here and a small group (formerly) in New Orleans. Everyone is alive, thank God, and safe in Houston. They’ve managed to secure a rental house there with the help of my cousin’s company’s Houston office. For refugees, all things considered, they’re pretty lucky.
However, they have almost nothing. The family has been organizing a massive supply effort, sending everything from clothes to kitchen supplies, plus money. I’m actually impressed by how organized they all are.
My New Orleans cousins have a daughter who is 8 years old, whose only possesions right now are one scratched DVD and couple of small plastic dogs. After talking to a friend of mine who lost everything as kid in the Oakland Fires, I decided that I wanted to send some nice things for the little girl. Not just clothes or shoes or whatever (the family SO has that covered. I think my cousins will be dressing their refugee friends, too), but fun things. This has got to be so hard on someone that young.
I know nothing about little girls. I know she’s big into art, and she lost all her movies. What’s appropriate at that age group? What do little girls like? Moms & Dads of the dope, help me out!
A backpack for going back to school. Penciles, pens, a notebook.
Some movies and books appropriate for 8-year-old girls. You might go to the local library or a book store and ask for suggestions.
Drawing pads, crayons, colored pencils.
Obsidian, I’m glad your family’s all safe.
Your cousin’s daughter would probably like a little art kit. I’ve seen lots of cool kits, from the normal markers/colored pencils/watercolors to tie dye or jewelry kits. A stuffed animal would be good–something huggable and comforting. Maybe some jewelry or lip balm, anything that smells good or tastes good.
I second the idea of art and school supplies, and also stuffed animals. When I was 8 I loved Barbie dolls, too. Maybe you could send some things to decorate her new bedroom, like a cool comforter for her bed. Or send her a gift certificate to a toy store with a note telling her that you want her to pick out something just for herself; kids that age hardly ever have any money and it’s fun when they get to pick out something on their own. The shopping might be a good distractor for her, too.
If you can afford it, a portable DVD player and a few movies (Disney cartoons, for example) might also be a nice addition.
Most little girls are fond of pretty barrettes and scrunchies. Some of us never outgrow our love of such gewgaws.
A clock radio/CD player. Kids that age love the autonomy of setting their own alarm and picking out the music they wake up to, and it can also be used for everyday music listening. They have some nifty Disney and Hello Kitty ones out, but when I was that age I loved my big cheap one with lots of buttons and dual tape decks (which I used to record off the radio) and stuff.