Americans for Afghanistan

Mission Statement:

    A private, charitable organization (not-for-profit) created to assist in the supplying of elementary and intermediate level schools in Afghanistan with school supplies that will improve the ability of school headmasters/teachers to teach children through charitable donations collected in the United States by private citizens and organizations.
Children are the future around The World.  The education of the young mind by knowledgeable teachers that are dedicated to their students will improve the literacy rate in Afghanistan and allow this nation torn by many long years of war and fighting to emerge as a successful democratic nation that is able to protect itself domestically, and compete with other nations internationally.  The baseline for the future is education, and YOU can help!  Through your donations, teachers that need school supplies to teach their students will be able to get these hard to come by supplies through Coalition Forces stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom that can ensure delivery and proper distribution.   
 

Method of distribution:

    The donations will be packaged and mailed to a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) that is stationed in many states (provinces) throughout Afghanistan.  The supplies will be loaded on armored vehicles (HUMVEES) and directly distributed by the US Joint Forces (Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy) during convoy missions to the schools where the supplies will be immediately used to teach the Afghan children.  As of September 2007, 1000 lbs of supplies have been sent into Afghanistan directly impacting approximately 2800 children.
Donations can be collected, boxed, and mailed directly to Afghanistan, or donation checks can be mailed towards the purchase of school supplies or general supplies that will then be shipped to Afghanistan.  The mailing address to send donation checks will be furnished upon request.
 

Description and Donations: 

    If you, your family, or your organization is interested in donating school supplies and general supplies that will be distributed directly to schools please contact Commander Frank Gutierrez, US Navy (401-847-2982).  He can also be contacted at Lgutierrez19@cox.net or XO@cg66.navy.mil.  Mrs. Susan Cummings can also be contacted at 215-517-7775.  She can also be contacted at suma.c@verizon.net.  Your donation will go a long way to assist the education of the children in Afghanistan.  School items: composition notebooks, pads of paper, pencils/sharpeners, colored pencils, pens, erasers, chalk, crayons, rulers.  General supplies: girl head scarves, socks, shoes, small toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, combs, hair brushes, small shampoo, and soap.  All items will be shipped to Provincial Reconstruction Team, Mehtar Lam for US Joint Forces to distribute.  All items are greatly appreciated.  On the average, a 20 lb. box of supplies costs $10 to ship via United States Postal Service (USPS).
 

Tax-Exempt Status:

    Americans for Afghanistan is a tax exempt organization (July 2006).  The tax exempt number is EIN 03-0585525.  Receipts will be mailed to you directly after donations are received and sent into Afghanistan for tax purposes. 
 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

(1) How much does a box of supplies typically cost to send? A box on school supplies that weighs 16 lbs. 7 oz. costs $12.80 to ship (USPS). 
(2) What type of items are school supplies? The items below were purchased at Staples for $73.61. Items for this shipment could include: 
2 large boxes on pencils (72 per box)
2 boxes of pens (60 per box)
8 composition pads (100 sheets each)
4 boxes of colored pencils (12 per box)
6 boxes of crayons (24 each box)
3 wedge erasers, 4 boxes of pencil cap erasers
3 pencil sharpeners
1 container of multi-colored chalk (20 pieces)
14-6 inch rulers
(2) How big is the box used to ship the items? The items above were shipped in a cardboard box (20 in X 15in X 15in).  This box was purchased for $4.60 at the UPS Store.
(3) Is insurance required to ensure delivery of the supplies? Insurance for shipment is not required.
(4) How do I declare the supplies that I am sending to Afghanistan? All shipments to Afghanistan must be declared on a United States Postal Service Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (PS Form 2976-A).  A postal worker will have you fill out this form. It is recommended to have this form filled out prior to going to the post office.  The form can be requested ahead of time at the post office, filled out while you are packing the box, then turned in to the postal employee at the window when you mail the box.
(5) What is the mailing address for Afghanistan? The mailing address will be provided to you after initial contact and coordination with Commander Gutierrez or Mrs. Susan Cummings.

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