Afghanistan: "This will be my last
newsletter from Afghanistan. I am scheduled to leave
Afghanistan on December 16th, returning to Kuwait.
Orphanage donations: Continue to mail to the Afghanistan
address: Dave Wilkins, 416th ENCOM, APO AE 09354.....
Work continues on the Chaikar orphanage. They are about
halfway complete with the building renovations. We are also
working on some other initiatives there. The desire to help
out the orphanages, schools and villages spreads easily among the
soldiers. Many units have adopted orphanages, schools or
villages and provide support to them. The team I am leaving
behind is enthusiastic about supporting the orphanages we have come
across and is seeking a village to adopt. Another individual,
Phil Edwards, has become a good friend. He has an unlimited
amount of energy and passion to help out the orphans. I'm
leaving this place in good hands and be assured that your donations
will be used wisely and are going to good cases." John
Gessner, 14 Dec 2002 |
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| Rockford: "Enclosed is a donation to
send to John for the Orphans' School Fund....My grandchildren (4)
who have received cash for Christmas also received a note in their
envelope telling each of them that an equal dollar amount has been
given in their names to the fund....I know that this will go
where it is supposed to go...God Bless!" |
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| Virginia: "Hello John, I
learned of your website through a friend here in VA ... I hope the
following contributions help: (20) pencils, stickers, colored
pencils, sidewalk chalk, (4) stuffed animals, (4) posable figurines,
(2) coloring books, notepad/marker set. Thank
you for all of the hard work you do for these children." |
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| Rockford: "Thank you for the
opportunity to give to the Afghan children. I am confident
that my gift will be well used. Seldom do I feel so sure
through my giving. You are wonderful to act as a connection
between Rockford and the children!" |
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Rockford: "Thank you for helping the
children in Afghanistan. On 11/21 we sent a
package with jammies, long underwear, sweatshirts, wool socks,
winter
hats and mittens, and 3 stuffed animals. Sizes are boys 2-4T
and girls
10-12. Best Wishes!" Gail, mother of three |
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| Herndon, Virginia:
"We got 2 toys, 2 stuffed animals, 3 pairs of gloves, 3
headwarmers, 5 candy, construction paper, 3 boxes of crayons, and 1
box of markers. We will send them tomorrow. From
Robby." (6 yrs old) |
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| Afghanistan:
The pictures below were received on Thanksgiving Day from John
Gessner. They demonstrate the generosity of those who have
chosen to support this project by mailing items. The
"U.S. Mail pipeline" between Rockford and Afghanistan is
working! We're helping Rockford's ambassador make a
difference! Thanks, folks! |
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| Afghanistan
(Thanksgiving Day): "We faced a crisis here. They only
delivered 30 fresh turkeys for the whole base. That worked out to
200 hungry soldiers per bird. They supplemented the remaining
rations with canned turkey. You know how I have come to enjoy canned
food! NOT! The engineer team held an emergency summit to determine
the solution to this dilemma. We decided on a road trip to Kabul to
have dinner at an Australian restaurant. I had a steak dinner for
Thanksgiving. Our "extended family" ate a nice meal out of
doors and enjoyed each other's company. It was the next best thing
to being at home. This is the first time I have worn civilian
clothes since July 21st. It is night time here now, Our Thanksgiving
is almost over. Yours is just beginning. God bless you and God Bless
the United States of America." John Gessner
|
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| On November 27th,
Student Council Representatives from Guilford High School presented
a check for $2,800.00 to the Rock Valley Kiwanis Club for the
Orphans Project. We salute all the students and faculty at
Guilford whose individual contributions resulted in this magnificent
accomplishment! Your contributions will be well-used! |
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| Katie Rowley, Guilford High School Student
Council President, presents a money order for $2,800 to Russ
Deets, President of Rock Valley Kiwanis Club. |
Student & Faculty members of Guilford's
Student Council, clockwise, from left: Tim Rowley, Brynn
Springer, Katie Rowley, Caroline Anderson, Jake Runestad, Mark
Anderson, Jennifer Chance, Kelly Shelton, Katie Pierson, Jenna
LaBrant. |
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Whoda Thunk!
Several decades ago
Chuck Sweeny of the Register Star was a student in my Mom's
3rd Grade Class. Were she alive today, I'd have to tell her
"Mom, Chuck's just kidding when he uses 'Whoda thunk' in his
columns." But I'm not kidding when I observe what has
been accomplished and exclaim, "Whoda thunk we could have
achieved this!" Every one of you should be proud!
Take a look at where we were a month ago and where we are now.
Click here.
(Jim Powers, Project Coordinator, Rock Valley Kiwanis Club) |
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Rockford: "We
took up a collection at my school. I have just mailed three
boxes of school supplies: 3 - bottles of glue; 18 - boxes of
crayons; 2 - glue sticks; 40 - pencils;
5 - pair of school scissors; 2 - rulers; 4 - boxes colored
pencils; 1 - set of paints; 6 boxes markers; 14 - tablets or
spirals; 2 - packs of paper. You will also be receiving
$120.00 in monetary donations soon. I think this was a
wonderful project and provided the students...an opportunity to help
other children." Students & Staff of White Swan
School |
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| Glenview, Illinois:
"We heard about your caring efforts for the Afghan
orphans....Please accept our check for $50.00 for this wonderful
project." |
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Rockford:
"The Student Council at Swan Hillman School collected 450
pencils for kids in Afghanistan. Keep up the good work."
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Rockford: "Just wanted to let you know
we sent a box containing socks (16 pair), 4
stocking hats, 4 pairs of gloves, 12 packs of gum, and other candy.
thanks!" 11/23/02 |
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Rockton, Il: "Thank you so much for taking the time
to come and pick up the supplies. I hope they are packaged
correctly and easy to understand what is in each box for custom
purposes. The children were very excited to meet you, as you
probably could tell from their boisterous actions....The article
about the school supply collection will be in next Friday's issue
of The Rockton Herald. Thank you again!"
Mrs. Mylin
Note: to see some pictures of
Mrs. Mylin and her classroom of heroes, click here.
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| South Barrington, Il: "....I read your
article on the Afghan orphanages to my 8-yr triplet girls and 7-yr
son. They wanted to make blankets for the children. I hope the
20+ polar fleece blankets will be put to good use...."
Past Kiwanis Key Club member and first girl president of the
Hinsdale Central HS Key Club. |
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| The Netherlands: "You and all the others are
doing a good job helping those orphans. I'm a Gulf War veteran (1990/1991)
myself, and I have seen what a war can mean to the people in a country.
The most terrible thing is that the children are the biggest losers in a
war. They are easily forgotten, but they are also the future."
Police detective, The Hague. |
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| Belvidere: "We
are sending a box containing some school supplies and 'gently used'
clothing: winter jammies, jeans, sweatshirts, socks. After
explaining the situation to our four-year-old daughter, she offered two of
her stuffed animals. The clothes should fit 2-4 year-olds. Thank
you for organizing this effort. God
Bless You!" |
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| Roscoe: "....sent 3 boxes of
stuffed animals 11/12/02, from Roscoe, Illinois. Thank you."
Retired Sergeant Major, U.S. Army |
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| Arnold, Maryland: : "I've printed out and
read the website material you've created. Truly outstanding stuff!
The notes from John Gessner are especially compelling. Please
put us down for $200 which I'll mail this week....Best of luck in your
terrific program! I'm very impressed by the depth of your
involvement." |
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Afghanistan: "To all of you who have
expressed an interest in helping out the orphanage. Many thanks!....This
little guy is 5 years old and was injured in a bombing.
He has had several operations on his head and is paralyzed on the right
side. The Italian soldier spent most of the afternoon with him on
his lap. This little guy choked me up, tough Army officer that I am....I
have the privilege of being a front-man here. I am not the
hero, only one of many touched by these angels.....The American people are
the heroes, making a difference in a tough place. " John
Gessner |
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| Afghanistan: "I have some new information. The
little boy that was injured in the bombing is in the process of being
adopted. The lady in the photo
is Najla, one of our interpreters and a
teacher at the local school. She hails from California and said she
will not depart Afghanistan without him. He has a brace on his left
leg and is starting to walk." John Gessner |
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| Phoenix, Arizona: "I think it is
wonderful what you are doing....those poor little kids!...Take heart!
Many people share your dismay at the conditions these poor people are
living in." |
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| Rockford: "Rarely does an opportunity
come along that permits a person to address our responsibility, as Notre
Dame Alumni, to serve God, Country and Notre Dame. I believe that
what you are about to read by clicking on the hyperlink at the end of this
message gives each of us that 3-in1 opportunity......Please, please
click on the hyperlink -- and then follow the dictates of your
heart." Class of '51 Notre Dame Alumnus, sending project web
site to regional alumni. |
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| Afghanistan: "Here's the way we see
it on this side of the ocean. On our trip to the Charikar orphanage,
I was accompanied by Sergeant Major "Big Jim" Miller. As
you know infantry SGM's, he displays an imposing figure, an airborne
ranger Desert Storm veteran. His job is to train soldiers and lead
them into combat to inflict a maximum level of damage on the enemy.
As we left the orphanage, he looked at me with a great deal of emotion in
his eyes and voice and said, "Oh Lord! What can we do to help
these kids?" We both returned to our offices and related our
experiences to friends and family. Soon about 20 boxes of clothes and
shoes began to arrive in Afghanistan, organized and collected by his Boy
Scout troop at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Many more donations are
on the way from Rockford." John Gessner |
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| Rockford: "We have been so encouraged with your fine work on the web site for the star, John!
Just wanted to let you know that I organized a package to be sent to John and the
kids from our growth group at church this week. Here is a brief list of what was sent:
10 tablets of drawing paper. 20 packs of 8-16 crayons, 20 packs of pencils, colored pens & pencils, 3 frisbees, 3 harmonicas, asst beanie babies # 80, hair supplies for girls, glue sticks, asst candy, individual packages approx# 200, 5 nerf balls, 3 small
games, band aids. Mailed on Oct 21. Keep up the great work.... Donna"
(First Evangelical Free Church) |
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| Washington, D.C. "....I excerpted your
message, and passed it to a few friends here in Washington. They're
all interested in what's happening over there....I told them to go to the
Rockford Kiwanis site and do anything they can to help. Who knows
who they will pass it to." |
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Afghanistan: "These rooms
at the orphanage are currently not used. The orphanage houses 70
kids. The others they have to turn away, back to the street, because
there is no room. If we could get these renovated, they could double
or triple their capacity....Our interpreter was so moved by the
kids, he drove downtown and bought a 200 pound bag of flour for
them. We also brought along some clothes, soccer balls and, of
course, lots of candy. Some of our guys are talking about
building some swing sets for the kids....." John Gessner |
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