Blog
February 5, 2010
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Donations to Spirit of America's Unrestricted Fund supported the purchase of 100 soccer balls and 100 beanies at the request of United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Lyn Harshman in Kyrzygstan which is home to a strategic air base. SMSgt Harshman sent this message: "Thank you so much for your support. Attached are pictures of the children receiving the soccer balls you sent. You have made many Krygyz children very happy and changed their impression of Americans. We appreciate you." SMSgt Harshman 
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LTC Max Velte with the California National Guard 40th Infantry Division Agricultural Development Team (ADT) serving in Kunar Province, Afghanistan has a new project through Spirit of America to provide shoes and rope to Afghan farm families. Though those types of supplies probably seem very basic to those of us here in the US for whom both items are readily available, they are critically scarce in this rural region of Afghanistan. According to LTC Velte, the 40th ADT holds regularly scheduled VETCAPs to provide for farm animals which are the local "currency." Typically, children walk the animals for long distances to reach the VETCAPs and most often these kids wear worn shoes or no shoes even in the middle of winter. Also, the children sometimes carry the smaller animals to keep them from going astray since ropes aren't readily available. LTC Velte is seeking your support through his Support Farm Families in Kunar Province project to bring shoes and lead ropes for distribution in the VETCAPs.
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February 4, 2010
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Spirit of America recently purchased critically needed winter supplies at the request of Captain Bill Spurlock stationed at Camp Alamo, Afghanistan. Contributions to SoA's Afghanistan Project Fund were used to quickly respond to Captain Spurlock's request and 500 fleece coats, 500 knit caps and 500 pairs of gloves will be put to good use in shielding Afghans from the cold weather. Captain Spurlock sent this message upon receiving news of the purchase of the winter supplies, and he has promised to share pictures of the distribution as soon as they are available.
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Captain Lamar Breshears handing out radio in Helmand Province As part of our project to Give Radios to help Marines open minds, the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Marines are using these "hard to get" items to "gain favor and build relationships with the local population" in Helmand Province. Spirit of America provided 50 solar-powered radios to Commanding Officer Captain Lamar Breshears who, with the 4th LAR team, handed out the radios to local villagers. Captain Breshears said that "the radios...help us when the Afghan Gov't pushes out messages to the local villages."
Villager in Helmand Province Receives Supplies from 4th LAR |
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4th LAR Working in Helmand Province Through your contributions to Spirit of America's project to support the 4th LAR Marines Fighting Insurgents in Helmand Province, the Marines have handed out supplies to improve lives and establish relationships with Afghan villagers. SoA purchased 100 each analog watches, Leatherman tool kits, prayer rugs, Qurans and 50 solar-powered radios.
4th LAR Marines Give Watches in Helmand Province Captain Lamar Breshear's, Commanding Officer for the 4th LAR (Light Armored Reconnaissance) Marines provided this update on the impact these contributions made for the local citizens: "Just wanted to write you a quick note to say thank you for your continued support with "hard to get" items to use as gifts for the Afghan citizens in our area. We received the Leatherman tools, radios, blankets, Qurans, prayer rugs and watches and are passing them out to gain favor and build relationships with the local population. The Leatherman tools are a huge hit. Most of the citizens here are extremely poor and make a subsistence living off of share cropping. A gift such as a Leatherman tool or a watch is something that they would never be able to afford, and it is a great way to establish relations between the Marines and the locals. The radios also help us when the Afghan Gov't pushes out messages to the local villages. Attached are some pictures of our Marines passing out the items that you sent us. I appreciate the support; you are helping us make a difference. Semper Fi" 
4th LAR Marines Give Watches in Helmand Province |
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Afghan Security Forces wear combat boots donated by Spirit of America
The supplies requested by the 2/8 Marines in Afghanistan were received and distributed at the end of 2009. With donations to Spirit of America's "Support Marines in Afghanistan" project, 300 each combat boots, ballistic sunglasses, Camelbaks and water purification tablets worth $23,505 were purchased for the 2/8 as part of their effort to equip Afghan Security Forces. By all accounts, improving the capabilities and competency of Afghan Forces is vital to success in the region.
Afghan Forces with new boots
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MiTT team member SGM Caraballo with kids 
Iraqi Army distributes supplies When Major James Mullin working with a Military Transition Team (MiTT) in Iraq originally contacted Spirit of America to help with humanitarian efforts under the project "Help Army Major Mullin Ease Suffering in Baghdad", he envisioned that medical and educational items would prove most useful. However, as Major Mullin rotated out and was replaced by Major Shayne Mullins (no relation, just an ironic coincidence), the winter months were approaching in Iraq, and supplies to combat the cold temperatures were critically needed. Thanks to your donations to this project, SoA provided 116 heavy duty blankets to Major Mullins and the MiTT team. The distribution was conducted alongside the team's Iraqi Army (IA) counterparts to continue to build local trust in the IA and show the community that the IA are part of the solution. Two separate distribution events took place and Major Mullins sent this message to thank YOU for helping their mission. "I wanted to tell you that the blankets are HERE!!! 10 to 15 in almost every box! The team was so surprised and elated...Thanks from our MiTT Team and thanks from COL Marhib and the Iraqi Army who are able to make a difference for those who don't have anything and could become our next enemy..." Michael (Shayne) Mullins MAJ, FA 6th IA MiTT XO 
Major Shayne Mullins making friends 
Iraqi woman crying for joy upon receiving supplies 
Sorting blankets |
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February 3, 2010
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Iraqi school kids receive supplies from SoA and CPT Jason Webb Captain Jason Webb with the 1-150th ARS stationed at Camp Striker, Iraq during his recent tour in Iraq believes that he left that country a better place than when they arrived. CPT Webb credits the support of Spirit of America and others back home for supporting that success. CPT Webb originally emailed us that the 1-150th was "currently working renovation projects on 5 schools for Iraqi Children within the Yusufiyah Nahia district. These schools would educate 4,000 students, and we are currently trying to gather school supplies for these children." Spirit of America provided 300 school kits to equip the student in Yusufiyah Nahia using donations to our Iraq Fund. CPT Webb has returned home but shared with us this message of thanks: "First, I want to thank you all for everything you have done throughout the deployment of the 1-150th ARS to help us in our humanitarian mission. We have provided clothes, shoes, and school supplies to Iraqi children thanks to your generosity… Without each of you, this would have been a much more difficult deployment, and we celebrate our successes with you. Iraq is now a better place than when we arrived. The economic, political, and security stature of this region is drastically improved. Thank you all for everything you have done for us. Take care… HOOAH!!" Jason G. Webb, CPT, USA S-1/PAO 1-150TH ARS Camp Striker, Iraq 
Iraqi kids say "Hi" during school supply distribution |
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Major Dominic Kusumoto is one of the things we love best here at Spirit of America; a "repeat customer". Major Kusumoto first partnered with SoA during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2004, while serving in Africa in 2007 and, most recently, during a deployment in Iraq with Multi-National Task Force Marne, 3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division near Mosul, Iraq. Having successfully benefited from the generosity of SoA's supporters previously, Major Kusumoto immediately thought of SoA to help with outreach efforts for Iraqi schools and orphanages to encourage educational opportunities for Iraqi children.
Through Spirit of America's Unrestricted Fund, we were able to send 150 school kits complete with a nice backpack filled with paper and essential supplies such as #2 pencils, colored pencils, scissors, sharpener and eraser. The 1st Cavalry generated the following press release through their Public Affairs office to detail the distribution. 
Iraqi orphans receive SoA school supplies from the 1st Cavalry Cavalry Soldiers team up with nonprofit organization to give to Iraqi orphans By Sgt. Christopher Kozloski, 145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq – On Oct. 15, school supplies were packed up and taken to an orphanage in Al Qosh, Iraq, marking the end of a 9-month-long coordination effort between 3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s civil military operations team, the Ninewah Provincial Reconstruction Team and Spirit of America, a non-profit organization that helps U.S. Forces serving abroad assist local people in need. A total of $1,500 worth of back packs, writing utensils, coloring books, glue, scissors and notebooks were delivered to the Dar Alsayda Monastery Orphanage for Boys, which houses 30 orphaned boys between the ages of 6 and 16. 3rd HBCT began coordination to get the school supplies through Spirit of American in January after discovering a need to furnish basic school supplies to Iraqi children.“As we visited with the Director General of Education, she mentioned that there was a need for supplies throughout Ninewah Province,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Stone, the 3rd HBCT Fires and Effects Coordination Cell noncommissioned officer in charge and key coordinator for the school supply distribution. “That got us thinking about how we could best help.” Master Sgt. Stone, a native of Florence, S.C., and Maj. Dominic Kusumoto, 3rd HBCT’s civil military operations officer and Fayetteville, N.C. native, began working through Spirit of America to seek donations that could be given to local Iraqi children. Maj. Kusumoto recommended the nonprofit organization based on previous experiences with their services. “I used Spirit of America in Afghanistan in 2004 to deliver school supplies to children and then again, in Africa in 2007 for Dira dawa flood relief, where we created a displaced persons camp for those who had lost their homes to the flooding that ensued due to the rainy season,” said Maj. Kusumoto, who also helped coordinate the school supply distribution. “Spirit of America supplied the blankets, lanterns and other supplies as well as toys for the kids.” Master Sgt. Stone took Maj. Kusumoto’s recommendation and wrote a letter to the nonprofit organization requesting donations and support. “They took our letter and posted it to their website. This is what gets people interested in donating,” said Master Sgt. Stone. “We got a couple hundred school supply kits from those donations.” As the school supplies arrived, Master Sgt. Stone and Maj. Kusumoto began planning the distribution and the clear choice was the orphanage, which relies heavily on donations. “[3rd HBCT] has not really done much with the orphanages in Ninewah Province,” said Maj. Kusumoto. “We have been primarily focused on the schools in the area. This was a chance for us to give orphans the much needed supplies.” After receiving the supplies in July, six months after the start of this project, one of the challenges became actually delivering them to the children. Originally, Master Sgt. Stone and Maj. Kusumoto had planned on taking the supplies to the orphanage by way of a battalion that was operating in that area. However, they could no longer do that because the orphanage sits just inside the city of Mosul which created issues because of the draw-down of U.S. combat troops in Iraq’s cities after June 30. They were forced to come up with another delivery plan. “After June 30, our mission changed,” said Master Sgt. Stone. “We couldn’t go into the area to distribute the school supplies. So rather than go ourselves, we worked through the Ninewah Provincial Reconstruction Team to deliver the supplies.” The PRT was able to deliver the school supplies to the children of the orphanage, successfully completing 9 months worth of planning and coordination. Father Denkha, who runs the orphanage and provides education for the children, lined the children up on Oct. 15 to receive the supplies. Though the wait was long and some obstacles had to be overcome to get the supplies in their hands, they were no less excited to receive the welcome gift. “By us holding on to the supplies for a little longer to get the timing down and choosing the orphanage to distribute to, I think we made a large impact,” said Master Sgt. Stone. The impact of something like this goes far beyond the orphanage walls, according to Master Sgt. Stone. “It felt great to see the kids’ faces [in the photos]. You feel like you’ve made a difference; like you’ve made a positive impact here,” said Master Sgt. Stone. “You end up making a friend in the end.” Master Sgt. Stone and Maj. Kusumoto were also thankful for the donations they received from the U.S. and for the support they received from Spirit of America. “We can’t thank them enough,” Master Sgt. Stone said, “All the supplies they donated touched the heart of an Iraqi child.” |
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Greetings and belated happy New Year.
Thank you! Year-end donations to Spirit of America for 2009 were up 45% over 2008. Donations for the full year were up 29% over 2008. That is extraordinary. The economy is still in tough shape, yet our supporters really came through. Very encouraging and great news for the troops whose work we support. |
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February 2, 2010
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Your contributions to Spirit of America's Unrestricted Fund are making a difference in Afghanistan. Read on for highlights from just a few of the ways your unrestricted contributions have positively impacted Afghan communities.
CPT Platz distributing medical kits donated by SoA to Afghan clinic CPT Kyle Platz serving at FOB Kushamond in Paktika Province, Afghanistan asked for SoA assistance in providing medical supplies for clinics and local doctors. CPT Platz received 2 First Responder kits, 5 Basic First Ad kits and 10 medical texts. "Thank you so much for everything. Here are some photos. The trauma bags and the first aid kits were a bigger hit than I thought they would be. The local physician were extremely excited. They are going to train the local police on basic trauma care and give them one of the bags. Thank you again for everything.
Trauma bags and first aid kits donated by Spirit of America were distributed to the local Afghanistan medical team at the Kushamond district center by CPT Platz and PFC Riely . The local physicians, in need of trauma supplies, received updated trauma training and extremely thankful for the much needed supplies. They also received several medical texts including an antibiotic guide, medication guide, and a pediatric diagnosis and treatment guide. This gift will be passed along multiple times over to the people of Kushamond, Afghanistan. Thank you!" CPT Kyle Platz, Army, Afghanistan 
United States Air Force Senior Airman Jessica Wilson who is a Chaplain's Assistant at Bagram Airbase received the 100 hygiene kits sent by SoA. SrA Wilson shared this message and these photos of supplies being handed out to Afghan children and their families: "Yes, we have received all of the hygiene kits and we are well stocked for the time being... Thanks so much!!!! "
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January 29, 2010
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Spirit of America was pleased to receive pictures from CPT Anna Talerico of the distribution of blankets purchased with your generous donations.
A woman and her child walk away with a blanket 
A young girl carries her blankets back home As CPT Talerico told us, the need there still continues and there is always need for blankets. If you would like to donate to CPT Talerico's project, you can do so by visiting her project page here.
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Spirit of America has been working to put your donations to good use and was able to send blankets, jackets, and shoes for children to Chaplain Scott Koeman in Afghanistan. Chaplain Koeman was very grateful for the items and wrote many wonderful things about the distribution for us to share with you.
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January 27, 2010
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The 1,000 fleece coats and 1,000 caps purchased at the request of the Marines at Camp Leatherneck have arrived and been distributed to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Thanks to your generous donations to our Winter Clothing & Boots for Afghan Security Forces, $14,250 worth of vital winter clothing to outfit the ANSF for the winter.
Afghan National Security Forces are all smiles wearing new coats and caps
A critical goal of the United States, NATO and Afghanistan is to prepare Afghan security forces – Army and Police – to provide security, thus reducing the burden on American troops. The more effective the Afghan forces become, the faster American servicemen and women can return home. A primary component of preparing these local forces is to insure they are equipped with the gear and clothing necessary for the elements.
Marines receive coats and caps to distribute to Afghan Security Forces 
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January 22, 2010
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Army medic William Seo sent us a wonderful photo from the children of Afghanistan expressing their thanks for the school supplies and clothes we are sending. If you would like to contribute to this project, you can do so by clicking here.
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Thanks from Afghanistan |
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CPT Anna Talerico received a shipment of blankets sent from Spirit of America and sent us a Certificate of Appreciation! She writes:
Certificate of Appreciation If you would like to donate to CPT Talerico's project, please visit her project page.
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January 20, 2010
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MAJ Eric Ruthman expresses his thanks for the 10 wheelchairs we were able to send over to him thanks to your generous donations. He shares the experience of distribution with us in an email:
Loading up the chairs 
Delivering chairs to the Egyptian hospital |
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Spirit of America received a very happy season's greeting from William Seo in Afghanistan. He shared with us some of the accomplishments he's been a part of in Afghanistan in the year 2009. Two of his projects are in collaboration with Spirit of America: Project Afghan Literacy and Project Shoes-N-Clothes. As William Seo says, this is all possible because of your support!
Project Afghan Literacy 
Project Shoes-N-Clothes |
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January 15, 2010
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Spirit of America is proud to share that Army LTC Linda Holloway was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for her efforts during her most recent tour in Iraq. Her dedication and commitment to a better future for Iraq, particularly Iraqi women, is an inspiration.
Army LTC Linda Holloway awarded the Bronze Star Medal
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The 500 school kits sent to the Marines 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Nimruz Province, Afghanistan as part of Spirit of America's Support Marines in Afghanistan project have been delivered to a local school. Master Gunny Sergeant Warren Coughlin sent a message of thanks along with a few photos of the children and local officials on hand for the distribution: 
"Here we are distributing more school backpacks full of supplies to the boys’ school today. We’d love to visit the girls’ school, but that is a bit sensitive right now. We’re not even sure it’s open. Another elder from a village stopped by our base and we were able to give him supplies for the small school in his village. Two more boxes of t-shirts and flip flops arrived today. Please send our thanks to all who have contributed. You are really helping our mission here."
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