Thursday, May 6, 2010

Soccer Balls for Haiti

Collecting balls at Fort River - box in front hallway (or office) through Friday, May 14th.

Bring a NEW regular size soccer ball or "like new" ball to donate!

OR bring cash or make check out to Leigh Salvage, [memo: haiti Soccer balls] before Monday, May 9th who will use all funds to purchase the balls.  Envelope in Ft. River office.  Sponsor one ball (for $12), or a half ball, or any amount!   [A dozen or more, ordered by Leigh, will be at a 20% reduced price at "Jonathan's Sports" in Hadley, for $12 /
ball.]

* All balls go to St. Clare's community, North of Port-au-Prince.*
They have requested soccer balls over a month ago, and have received
none as of yet.  One ball will likely serve 30-100 children and adults
DAILY, 12 balls or more could help them start a regularly scheduled
league.  They spend some time in school, and a lot of time in lines
waiting for food, or sitting around.  Soccer balls will lift the
spirits of children and people of all ages. This will offer health,
community and a sense of hope!  Let's send at least one dozen balls
from the Ft. River community and show them we care about children
EVERYWHERE having healthy, productive opportunities that teach
teamwork and so much more!

Teachers / parents - donated artwork from children is welcome!  First
name and age / grade of child optional.  Letters in French to children
/ community members also welcome.

*1000 + children, many orphans, many families including 5,000 + adults
living in tents around the center, coming for food, "school," etc.

Tax deductible Financial donations to "Afya" to help offset
transportation costs and other needed supplies, (bulk foods that
distribute well in this community) will be delivered as well.

Contact Leigh Salvage, Ft. River parent of 6th grader Matt, for more
information, or see below.  413-230-0806 - cell or
leighann716@gmail.com.

WEB LINKS:
Amherst Bulletin Articles:
* http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/165899/    Details Mariaelena
Garcia's Amherst effort.
* http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/168317/    Hadley Elementary
sends supplies.  Our own sub, Nancy Yahman, helped with this.

* afyafoundation.org for information on the foundation connecting
Amherst to this community.  Afya is also connected to PIH - "Partners
in Health".

* Images of children at St. Clare's:
http://www.opticalrealities.org/MexicoCarribean/Haiti/St-Claire-Delmas/10994543_jejrd#768768862_UvWwd