Greetings!   

Last week I was advised by the Denton program that we can send our eleventh annual shipment to Afghanistan, a message I received with mixed emotions. It's great that we can send at least one more shipment. But, how does one plan a COVID compliant packing party?

Historically, well over a hundred people attend our packing parties, work side by side sorting and packing donations into boxes. The boxes are then loaded onto trucks and driven to a warehouse in San Leandro, owned by TIE supporters, Mary and Tim Johansen. They are trucked to Travis air force base and flown to Kabul on a space availability basis. Basir hires trucks and drivers to pick them up at Bagram air base in Kabul. Then he distributes everything to families living in refugee camps.

I contacted Lafayette's superintendent of schools, Richard Whitmore, to explore the possibility of having a packing party on Stanley's outdoor basketball courts. He was receptive to the idea and willing to help if possible. Neither of us knew what would be required or how many people would be allowed by the county to participate. Affidavits would be required, as well as social distancing, sanitizing and masks. Temperatures would be taken. Then what would plan B be if it rained?

Forty-eight hours later the solution came while staring at my favorite outdoor meal, an IN N Out double double, fries, small coke with chili peppers.

DROP OFF PRIVILEGES FOR EVERYONE

From now until Halloween, October 31st, the driveway outside my garage is open to all for donations. We won't sort this year. We'll just box donations as they arrive. They can sort in Afghanistan.

Last year we shipped close to 700 boxes. Please don't leave all the boxing to me. Whoever can find time to help pack boxes send me an email using trustineducation@gmail.com. I'll schedule several times to pack with masks, sanitizer and social distancing. When my garage is full, the boxes will be transported as needed to San Leandro.

For information on what donations are most helpful to Afghan families Click HERE. It's best if you bring things in large plastic bags. That way we'll be able to drop them into the boxes without having to line the boxes with plastic. Please don't make the bags too heavy or full.

If you'd like to help by passing out a flyer, Click HERE to download a 2 flyers per page PDF in black and white to print out at your home. If you'd like us to send flyers to you email us your address.

COVID problem solved!!! --- with your help.

Budd

ps Word from Afghanistan. They don't need that many XXX sizes. LOL