An Orphans Bright Star Inc

Even through the tough economic times, OBS continues the hard work to improve the lives of children in Ukrainian orphanages, amazing volunteer work from truly committed people who never cease to amaze me. A lot has been done over the past years through OBS to improve living conditions and bring hope and the chance of a better life for children and youngsters with the sponsoring programs and other projects. I am so very proud to be a part of this amazing charity and honor the commitment we took with children in orphanages when we adopted our two beautiful kids.

This organization is more dedicated than any group as I have ever had the pleasure of working with.We watch such organization to see just how involved they are and Orphans Bright Star has shown a caring for the children that is unbelievable. You would think they are the real mothers of the children they seek to help. A solid and caring organization.

OBS funds projects that will last through many years of orphans. I helped (every dollar helps!) fund a playground for an orphanage. We were so proud to see the pictures of the children playing! I trust this organization, they spend funds wisely and you know exactly where your donation is going.

We adopted our two children from Ukraine and could not leave the orphanages without a promise to ourselves to help those children has much as we could. An Orphan's Bright Star does so much good; for children in need of medical help, sponsoring children "graduating" from the orphanages to go to vocational schools, orphanage building repair projects, and they fill many more specific needs that the orphanages and orphans may have. This organization is very responsible with their money and is run by unpaid volunteers. Each donation is assured of being used in the manner it was intended and the people used in country are wonderful.

An Orphans Bright Star is a great example of an organization that gives 100% to the children that they are helping!!! No huge overhead or high paid executives- just people who love and are passionate about the children that are in these orphanages!!! So glad to be a part of a group of people who are living their lives intentionally and purposefully!!!

We have been supporters of OBS from its inception. As MSWs with policy and clinical backgrounds, we can be rather critical of how nonprofits function. We are 100% confident in OBS and it is a joy to support and ask others to support a nonprofit that has its act this together – the board is in place for the right reasons, the founder has a clear and tireless passion, and perhaps most important, the organization's mission seems to stay front and center in everything OBS accomplishes. This is an excellent, star organization that runs a tight ship and benefits children tremendously. We urge you to do your homework – you will be impressed – and then get involved!

OBS is a first rate organization that puts the needs of Ukrainian orphans in the forefront. I am an adoptive parent of two beautiful Ukrainian children and have known the founder of OBS for many years. In fact, I recall having a panic attack prior to our first trip to Ukraine and she talked me through it and I will forever be grateful. When she began OBS, I knew that the priority would always be in the right place, with the children, and the integrity of the organization is something that I trust. OBS truly does help the children that we have all left behind, and will never forget.

OSB is an amazing organization and does SO much for those precious little angels we had to leave behind. SO glad they are doing SO much for the orphans in Ukraine.

We know OBS from the beginning and this group of amazing, generous and beautiful people has allowed us to mantein the contact with the place where our son has coming from. So our family can continue to provide help for all the babies over there. The volunteers of this team are very dedicated to help with a great devotion and they are ready to find always new ways to involve people to help. I'm very happy to have found so great person!

We adopted our son from a Ukrainian orphanage in 2000. It was at the far reaches of the country and clearly forgotten. OBS has helped his orphanage a great deal and made the lives of the orphans much better.

I have known the founder of OBS from the beginning. If there was ever a labor of love, this is it. As if adopting two special needs girls from an orphanage in Ukraine was not enough, she created OBS to help take care of all those children left behind who are still desperately in need of the very basic support. From personally knitting 900 winter hats, to filling her living room with thousands of shoes and Christmas gifts, the organization has grown to one which has involved countless families who have also adopted children as well as their families and friends. They work tirelessly to bring basic support and joy to children whose lives they touch. I am proud to do my small part to support this organization and hope that it can receive a small token of the appreciation and recognition it deserves.

OBS has transformed the lives and condtions of the orphanages for the children and caregivers. They continue to strive for excellence and are always seekng new, fresh ideas in order to raise money for special projects or finding someone able to provide basics such as clothes and shoes to the children. This organization has done an outstanding job and will always be close to my heart.

For many years I watched as my wife volunteered with OBS and while I have a heart for the projects, I just didn't see the big deal. A few years ago we hosted an orphan in our home. When I saw the difference small things made to her, or how appreciative she was of the smallest thing, I realized these children really do know what it is like to be without. So readily they wrap their arms around you and call you mama and papa. And so willingly they go home knowing your house was the grandest they've ever seen. And this just as you thought it was time for bigger or better. I've seen my wife, cry, smile, laugh, and worry over the children in her programs. OBS has very dedicated people , with full focus on the needs of the children. our sponsored child just graduated and now, we go on to the next one. Everyone can do something.

Having adopted our son from a Ukrainian orphanage and experiencing the conditions and hardships that these innocent children face, it was a pleasure to discover An Orphan's Bright Star who tirelessly work to bring hope to these young adults, sponsoring vocational training to give them a big step up into the world of becoming self-sufficient. It's an honour to work with such a loving, caring organisation who only have the childrens future at heart.

I love to shop for the bargins and the orphans in the Ukraine benefit from my retail habits. The many boxes that I have sent with just "stuff" to us is coveted by these orphans. A simple towel and wash cloth to call their own, or it might be a whole package of underware{yes 5 pairs} new socks, personal care items the list goes on but such everyday things truely do make a difference when you have nothing of your own.

Great organization run by honest people. I am so proud to have helped, donated and sponsored children through this program. These are real people helping real kids. You get pictures throughout the year and emails, sometimes letters if you sponsor an orphan. All around a FANTASTIC HONEST organization. Thank you OBS!!!

An Orphan's Bright Star is a great charity that does important work for children. Working to serve children who are often otherwise forgotten, An Orphan's Bright Star works to see that a child's daily needs are met in the orphanages they work with in Eastern Europe; but they also try to ensure that the children get some extra happiness. Fun is the right of children, and An Orphan's Bright Star builds playgrounds in orphanages as well.

This is by far the best charity I have ever been involved with. It hs both fantastic volunteers who go above and beyond and wonderful leadership. After a disappointing experience with another charity that purported to help orphans in the Ukraine, it has been nothing short of fabulous to get involved with An Orphan's Bright Star. My husband and I have particularly enjoyed being able to sponsor vocational training students who have "graduated" from Ukraine's orphanage system. Since we both teach at a Vocational high school in the US, we know exactly how important that kind of education can be to a young person. Long live An Orphan's Bright Star!

My cousin, Mindi, started this charity after adopting her daugher Yeva which required several visits to the orphanage. She fell in love with that little girl who was struggling to survive with little resources. Mindi, though could not help but noticed that her Yeva was not the only child in need and immediately began sending shipments of supplies that included vitamins, clothes, shoes and other items the children so needed. After bringing Yeva home and nursing her to health , tutoring/educating Yeva back to her age group expectations she felt the need to do something more for all the other children of the orphanage and sought donors to help them buy washers, dryers, food, playgrounds etc. She enlists the help of family, friends and looks for ways to gather funds for additional projects to enhance the lives of all the children in the orphanage. She has also gone back and adopted another young girl from the orphanage while at the same time not forgetting the rest of the children and continuing to adovate for them.

This is a great organization that makes a huge difference in the life of children. I've been following this organization for a number of years now, and know my donations really are making a difference because of how this group handles itself. Thank you, Orphans Bright Star, for all the amazing work you do!

Since this organization was founded, I have been both a donor and a sponsor for students. All along, the proof has been there for me to see that the Ukrainian children are receiving my donations and support. I know that this volunteer-run charity is making certain that everything supporters, like myself, give is being directed as donors intend it to be.

We are active volunteers in the community, and respect other nonprofit organizations where the money actually finds its way to the people in need. OBS volunteers are dedicated, positive and have completed several very impressive projects that required a lot of fundraising and coordination. Especially for an all-volunteer organization, their work is incredible.

I have been very impressed with the people associated with the Orphans Bright Star organization. They selflessly and tirelessly work toward making a better life for the children "left behind" still waiting for new adoptive parents. 100% of all funds donated to this charity goes directly toward helping the children - period.

The volunteers at OBS lovingly give from their hearts and I am assured and confident that all funds donated will go to helping the charity, not lining the pockets of administrators.

What a wonderful organization that has and is still helping so many children.

Orphan's Bright Star began in 2006 with a lot of hopes to help some very impoverished and very deserving children that had few advocates and fewer resources. Knowing the needs and the accomplishments since the beginning, it is hard to believe all that has been done by this small but dedicated OBS group. Groups like this make one appreciate the needs in the world and the people that have the compassion and dedication to try to make a difference in the lifes of little ones in the Ukraine. My deepest admiration and recognition to a group that exemplifies the best in making the world a better place.

An amazing organization with an amazing reputation and work ethic!! Progress and changes in the orphanages are obvious!! What a difference has been made in the lives of so many children!!!

I have been working with An Orphan's Bright Star since its beginning in 2006. I am consistently amazed at the work the group is able to accomplish. An entire playground for the children of the Svalyava Baby Orphanage was built in the name of my beloved sister, Sandra Strickland. It was a project that deeply touched the members of my family, and one that I will never forget. My sister's memory will forever be found somewhere dear to her own heart, amongst happy, playing children who otherwise would not be enjoying such a special place. Thank you to all the devoted volunteers who work so hard to make this happen.

An Orphan's Bright Star greatly benefits the lives of orphans in the Ukrainian orphanages we support. Every one of our projects is run by volunteers, and we have repeat donors in a number of countries. We offer donor support for young teens who age out of the system so they can attend local vocational schools to learn job skills and independence. Our finances are transparent and follow up frequent. Lots of photos and reports allow our donors to see the impact that they themselves are making in the lives of children and teens. It costs nothing to join us and nobody will ever ask you directly for money. You can decide when to volunteer your help and support. Please check out our website, and meet us! You're so needed.

Over the years, I have seen what an awesome job that Orphans Bright Star has done for many orphans and adoptees. They are constantly raising money to make life better for the orphans that don't get adopted or are not available for adoption. They even help with medical expenses when their own government won't. They help put shoes on their feet and clothing on their backs. Many children have only 1 pair of shoes and frequently they don't fit right, this group helps the children get several pairs so if one pair gets wet, they have dry ones to wear. They also help with hygiene items and remodel bathrooms so the kids have at least some type of sanitary facilities. This is a great group that does so much.

What a fabulous charity! They not only help supply essentials to institutionalized kids who are so greatly in need, but also enable those that are "aging" out of the orphanages with a means to learning a trade/marketable skills by providing financial support while they are in trade school.

I work with the Poltava Vocational project. I search for sponsors to help our kids further their education, in hopes of a better future. I have seen both sides of this coin. The girls that finished vocational training , were able to land their dream jobs and support themselves and become responsible young adults. I've watched as one young man, in tears, held the letter of his sponsor at the tip of his nose as this was as far as his vision would allow. With help of OBS, he has had surgery and gained a small portion of his sight. Although he was not accepted by the school, we continued to search for ways to help him become self sufficient. We bought chickens that he and his family could raise and sell eggs. I've seen a young girl become a mother and then abandoned by her baby's father. This would have been another orphan statistic, except for her sponsor stepped up to the plate and is funding her housing so she can continue her education and support her child. I've cried when kids lost their biological parents, knowing , that while they were not still in their lives or a good influence if they were, they were still the parents and with their death, the dream of ever reuniting with family died as well. When one student found her brother frozen in the street, OBS paid for his medications, thereby the boy lost only his toes and not his hands as well. We have been led to expand our program with the needs of our students and their families and that is what we do. The flexibility and support of the volunteers of OBS are far surpassed the ordinary. I am so grateful to be just a glimmer in the star that shines for the kids of Ukraine.

I am a member of the board for an Orphan's Bright Star. My experience with this organization greatly exceeds that which I have had previously with similar groups. They really go the extra mile to ensure aid gets directly to the kids and frequent checks to ensure it stays with the orphans as well. They emphasize spending funds as much as possible in Ukraine to do their part to help stimulate the local economy. Their vocational programs are life changing as without them the older orphans would end up on the streets. Finally, this organization is run completely through the efforts of volunteers so you can be sure your donations directly benefit the kids.

This charity focuses on the children left behind in Ukrainian orphanages. We focus mainly on vocational education projects for orphans that 'age out', getting life-saving medical care for orphans in Ukraine, and repair projects. We collaborate with other charities in the US and abroad to complete projects when possible. We have some amazing people in Ukraine that help monitor all projects and advise us on how best to complete our work.