Soccer Balls for Haiti

Dear Friends,

Hi there!  I'm helping Mariaelena Garcia raise money to purchase new soccer balls for an orphanage, St. Clare's, in Haiti.  If you'd like to help by donating this can make a real difference!  You may have heard about her, but if not, here are two articles:

http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/165899/
"Sharing the weight of Haiti: Amherst woman takes up moral mantle to
aid quake victims"

http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/168317/
"Hadley students aid Haitian youth"

This orphanage north of Port-au-Prince has over five thousand people comingdaily - to St, Clare's, to eat, get help, etc.  There are nearly a thousand children that live around there, and we have an opportunity to help in a very meaningful way.   Now that they have some semi
regular supply of food, medical and school supplies, they are trying to establish school and activity routines and they have requested soccer balls. This will help lift spirits, establish routines and build community.   One soccer ball can transform the day for many kids and adults, and if we raise enough money to donate 12-24 or even more soccer balls, we will be making a real difference in their day to day lives.

The balls will be purchased from Jonathan's in Hadley, and another bulk ordering resource.  Jonathan's is offering a 20% discount so a $15 ball will be $12, and the other company offers $8 balls. HOW MUCH TO GIVE?  That's completely up to you!  Every penny will go directly
towards soccer balls purchased, since all transportation and other costs are being donated.  You can sponsor one ball with a $12 donation, a half ball with a $6 donation, or 5 balls for $60 if you so wish!  If you are able to give a dollar or two, every bit helps!

I am collecting the orders / money now and until Friday, April 30th, for a large shipment of a variety of items scheduled for early May. You can send a check or cash in a labeled envelope to Matt in Kai Simon's class at Ft. River, (or to his soccer or baseball game/practice) or Ashlyn at the high school, or mail a check or money order to me, at 101 State Street, Amherst, MA 01002.  The check can be made out to myself, Leigh Salvage, with the memo "Soccer balls - Haiti" written in.  I will be purchasing the soccer balls this weekend. Children can draw pictures to be sent as well, if they are interested, though letters should really be in French if possible!

Thank you SO much in advance for your help and for the pledges to sponsor balls I've already received!

Leigh Salvage
413-230-3722

P.S. If you'd like to help in other ways, you can write a check directly to "Western Mass Collaborative" and in the memo you can write "food" or "medical supplies" or "wherever most needed", and I will also get those checks to Mariaelena Garcia.