I am the founder of Packages of Hope, Inc. My husband Jeff and I have a daughter named Adelynn Chen-Ge Woodard, adopted from the Jiangxi Province of China in July 2001 and returned home with Mataya Ruo-Na also from Jiangxi in November 2005.

I started Packages of Hope, Inc. because I wanted to be actively involved in what was being done to improve the lives of children in orphanages around the world. Almost daily I get a little nauseous feeling in my stomach when I think about a child, just as precious and wonderful as our girls, without enough to eat and without a loving family to cuddle her to sleep. Starting this organization helps me feel a little more at peace with myself that I'm truly doing all I can to help.

There are many remarkable organizations out there making a difference. Packages of Hope, Inc. is not in competition with them but a compliment to them. I want other people to share in the wonderful feeling you get when you know you've touched the life of a child. I'm thrilled and awed at what can be accomplished when a handful of people want to do something meaningful. It's our team of dedicated volunteers who make things happen!

- Sarah Lynn Woodard
DaughterfromAfar@aol.com