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Shindand members donate to locals

  • Published
  • By by Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Shindand-based Airmen brought cheer to locals recently as they donated much-needed school supplies and toys to a local preschool and women's center.

The donated supplies came courtesy of U.S. citizens who sent the supplies to the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group. The donations included backpacks for more than 50 children with each backpack including school supplies including notebooks, pencils and other items. More than 20 boxes and two large bags containing blankets, clothing items, shoes and toys were also delivered.

Members of Taskforce Centre, made up of Italian Army members, also donated 100 sewing machines, 50 rugs and chairs to a local women's center.

Shindand officials explained the women's center's focus is the development of women in Shindand and the sewing machines hopefully will help them make clothing items for their families or assist in making clothing items so they may sell them for profit to help support their families.

"Although we did not have direct interface with the children or the women benefiting from the donations, the director (Najiba) showed us a video that was taken with her camera of the children that attend the preschool," said Cmdr. Paul Fermo, deputy commander of the 838th AEAG. "Najiba told the kids that she was going to pick up some gifts for them and they were all very excited about what they were about to receive."

The idea for the donation was hatched after members of the unit received a wish list from the school. With one of the items on the list being a backpack, members knew they had plenty of supplies on hand to help.

Members of the 298th Combat Support Battalion also assisted the 838th with delivery with school representatives meeting the military members at Fire Base Thomas.

"It gave me great pleasure to help the children of Shindand," said Capt. Colleen Hollis, 838th AEAG. "These kids are innocent and have very little in the way of material things. I can only imagine the excitement and smiles on their faces when the director pulled up with a van full of school supplies, clothes and toys just for them."