Operation ANDY'S GIFT

Emily Stewart, one of my dearest friends from college, has started an endeavor on behalf of her brother Andy, who is serving our country in Afghanistan.

Here's a little background on her brother:

He arrived in Afghanistan in early July and was stationed in Kabul for a few weeks at Camp Phoenix. Needless to say he was a little shocked when he arrived. His last two deployments have been in Iraq: one in Kirkuk and one at Bagdad International Airport. When he landed in Afghanistan he was saddened by how VERY VERY poor these people are. The living conditions are that of a third world country and the average Afghani makes a mere $300 per year.

When asked what could be sent to assist his time, he asked that they send soccer balls for his men to distribute to the Afghan children. Soccer is a game that requires very little equipment and can provide children with hours of enjoyment. It is hard to imagine what a new soccer ball would mean to these children who have next to nothing.

Both in Kabul and in Andy's current station he has noticed that most kids are playing with flat soccer balls in the streets and his goal is to provide these children with something new. SO, Emily has decided to take on a project of asking friends, family, companies, organizations etc… to donate soccer balls and air pumps for this cause calling the project: Operation – Andy's Gift. Her goal is to send over 1,000 soccer balls during the next 10 months (before Andy returns home).

There are a couple of ways you can help if you are interested in participating:

1. Send money to the cause which will be used to either purchase soccer balls OR pay for the shipment of those balls.
2. Order or buy soccer balls and air pumps and drop them off at my house.
3. Distribute this information to anyone and everyone you think might be interested in participating in this project. The more people aware of this drive the more likely we hit or exceed the 1,000 ball goal.

Emily has started a blog for Operation - Andy's Gift and was also featured on the nightly news in her town - http://raleigh.mync.com/site/raleigh/news/storey/7862/triangle-resident-collecting-soccer-balls-for-afghanistan-children

Please let me know if you are interested in donating or contact Emily via her blog.

Thanks!